Army Air Force Exchange Service - AAFES Monthly Penalty Fees Dallas Texas

I read the article referencing the hearings of the credit card business and how they may soon face greater oversight and tighter reins. I am amazed that the regular consumer is protected and defended by our lawmakers. But it is sad that the same protection cannot be extended to federal consumers that have an account with the AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) Star account. I have had economical problems since I retired from the federal service and became delinquent in my AAFES account. I was threatened with 25% of my pension being taken away. This is quite legal since this is considered a federal debt. I made a payment plan to pay $100.00 a month. This is not a problem for me to pay. The problem is that of these $100 dollars $28 is taken out for penalty and approximately $43 in interest. Basically about $20 of this one hundred is accredited to my principal. According to my calculations, it will take 27 years to pay off this account.


In the meantime I will also have paid over $9,000 in just penalty fees. So, if I live that long, I will be 87 years old (Iam now 60) when I pay off this debt. But I know that eventually they will come through with their threat and take 25% of my pension. This will surely end my life since I will loose my house, my car and of course my family. My wife and I are both 60 years of age and we are not in the best of health to work full time. I am now working part time in a Golf Course nearby earning $6.61 an hour. I know what I owe and I know I have to pay it. AAFES states that they cannot do anything because that is the law. But men make laws and even the IRS has other options and plans for their federal debts.

Hopefully our representatives in Congress can extend to us the same protection that is given the regular consumer. I was four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, twenty-five years as a federal firefighter with the U.S. Army and 22 years with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. I know I don't deserve better than others but the least I should get is the same protection that other citizens have.

I moved to Florida thinking that I would enjoy my retirement here but it is not so. With the escalation of home insurance rates and real estate taxes and soaring gasoline prices, it has become a nightmare. Eventually we will be forced to sell our home at any price to avoid foreclosure. The only thing that will help us out of this situation a bit is if either my wife or I die at least the small insurance we have is enough to pay off the funeral expenses and AAFES and a debt we also have with IRS.

Vicente
Valrico, Florida
U.S.A.