PAY UP.

• Position: NC TREND: Pulse: News and insights

North Carolina's roughly 100,000 active-duty service members are getting a 2.1% pay raise in the new year, with retirees and civil service workers receiving slightly smaller hikes of 2% and 1.9%, respectively. The military is moving from a traditional pension to a "blended" retirement system mixing pension money with plans more like the 401 (k)s available to many civilian employees. That is forcing a big decision for about 1.7 million U.S. service members. In January, new recruits will automatically be assigned to the new plan, but service members with less than 12 years of service can choose between new and old. The old system is likely a better deal for those staying until retirement, but more than 80% of service members leave before the minimum 20 years, sacrificing some benefits...