If Congress does reduce the overall benefit package for military service personnel, this is the perfect time. With the draw down of forces in the Middle East and the state of the American economy, Congress knows the economy will not have a strong recovery for at least 5-6 years. Retention is at an all time high. I doubt if there will be a mass exodus of personnel. And even if there is, you can always create bonus incentives which will not effect retirement cost.
More than likely there will be a grandfather clause for those serving. Anyway, the New hires have no choice. This is done in industry all the time. The major airlines created the regional system that we have today in keeping ticket prices down in being more competitive. The regionals fly approx 52% of the flying public. And guess what, REGIONAL PILOTS fly for PEANUTS. The regionals never have a problem of hiring pilots just in retainability. But as long as the regional planes do not continually fall out of the sky, their PILOTS will continue on being financially UNDER compensated in THEIR EYES. Not in the company's EYES of course. In fact, you can look at the AF Res & ANG as a way of keeping defense cost down.
For all the pilots that think they're irreplacable, review Air Force OTS.com and see how many wantabe pilots are standing in line to replace you in a heartbeat. In fact, they will help you pack your bags and assist you in filling out your paper work. Experience levels will suffer but that is why you wear safety belts. President Ike warned of the industrial defense complex and it's breaking the piggy bank. In fact, there's no money in the piggy bank, it's all borrowed. It doesn't help when an EXPERIENCED pilot crashes a C-17 in Alaska costing over $200M.
My wife's step-father retired in 1960 and is still collecting retirement for the last 51 years. As a WWII vet, I say he deserves it, but the gov't is saying when is this old man going to die. If you think the new PT standards are the pits, wait until they dig into your pocket book and it is coming. You just never knew how good you had it. Just ask Congress.