From 2004 through 2008, 80 percent of retiring three- and four-star officers went to work as consultants or defense executives, according to the Globe analysis. That compares with less than 50 percent who followed that path a decade earlier, from 1994 to 1998. ~Bryan Bender – From Pentagon to the private sector

The authorization act expanded the existing $693,951 cap “to cover all contractor employees (instead of only a company’s five most highly paid executives, as provided in current law),” a Senate Armed Services Committee summary stated. The law made an exception for scientists and engineers “if necessary to ensure continued DoD access to needed skills and capabilities.” ~Charles S. Clark – White House reopens debate over contractor pay

Tom Vanden Brook – (USA TODAY) – February 2, 2012 – A change in federal law to keep experienced officers in uniform allows top generals and admirals to make more in retirement than they did on active duty, Pentagon and congressional records show.

The new pension rules were part of the 2007 Defense Authorization Act to address concerns that the military would lose too many experienced generals and admirals during wartime.

In January, when most service members will receive a 2.2 percent basic pay raise, their smallest in 12 years, America’s 36 four-star generals and admirals, and its 125 lieutenant generals and vice admirals, will see basic pay climb by 8.7 percent, or $1100 a month. ~Tom Philpott – Star-Rank Retired Pay Jumps

Previously , the maximum annual pension was based on an officer’s pay at 26 years of service. Now, a four-star officer retiring in 2011 with 38 years’ experience would get a yearly pension of about $219,600, a jump of $84,000, or 63% beyond what was once allowed. A three-star officer with 35 years’ experience would get about $169,200 a year, up about $39,000, or 30%.

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