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Israel
Pay and Benefits
Traditionally, conditions of service in the IDF were Spartan;
Israeli soldiers served out of a patriotic desire to defend the
homeland rather than for material benefits. During the 1980s,
however, as manpower needs of the IDF grew substantially-- particularly
the requirement to attract skilled technicians from the civilian
sector--material considerations became more important. The nearly
continual cycle of increases in pay and benefits were meant to
attract additional manpower and to compensate for the ever-rising
cost of living.
Salaries for career soldiers were linked to salaries in the civilian
sector; thus, compensation for education, skills, and responsibilities
in the IDF was at least commensurate with that in the civilian
sector, where wages were largely standardized. In spite of the
relatively high pay and allowances, conditions of service were
often onerous and comforts were few. Accommodations within units
were austere. Extended separations from family and frequent relocations
were common. Career soldiers received supplements and benefits
unavailable to civilians, but it was difficult, if not impossible,
for a career soldier to moonlight, a practice prevalent among
civilians.
Basic pay was low and, because it changed more slowly than other
salary components, had become progressively less significant in
the soldier's total pay. Supplements were added for cost of living
and families, based on size. Costs of higher education and free
medical care were provided for all family members, and exchange
and commissary facilities offered substantial discounts on purchases.
The IDF subsidized housing in three ways: the IDF could provide
base quarters at minimal rents, long-term, low-interest loans
for purchase of homes, or assisted rentals in the civilian market.
A generous retirement program covered those who had completed
ten years of service and reached the age of forty. Every officer
with the rank of lieutenant colonel or above had a car for both
official and private use; lower-ranking officers had the use of
cars on a shared basis. During annual leave, an officer could
go to one of several seaside family resorts operated by the IDF.
Conscript soldiers received pay and benefits far below those
of the career soldier. Pay was minimal, amounting to about US$25
a month for a private in 1986. Married soldiers received a monthly
family allowance based on family income, as well as a rent and
utility allowance. A demobilization grant was paid upon discharge,
and unemployment compensation and a partial income tax exemption
were available for up to one year. Discharged soldiers theoretically
received preference in hiring. Former conscripts choosing to settle
in development areas could obtain loans to purchase apartments.
Pay and benefits for the reservist while on active duty also
were less than for the career soldier. Reservist pay was supplemented
by pay from civilian employment. Employers regularly contributed
a small percentage of the employee's salary to the National Security
Fund, from which the employer then drew to pay the reservist while
he or she was on active duty. Self-employed reservists could put
money into the fund to receive a salary while on duty; if they
chose not to contribute they received only subsistence pay while
on active duty. Reservists could use the post exchange only while
on active duty.
Retired officers received from 2 to 4 percent of their final
pay for each year of service, depending on their job. Retired
pilots, for example, received 4 percent and were said to live
quite comfortably in retirement. In addition, retired officers
and NCOs continued to receive a reduced portion of their in-service
benefits. Disabled veterans received extra allowances and benefits.
Retiring officers usually sought a second career; the IDF helped
the transition into civilian life by offering occupational training
(a course in business management, for example) and by paying the
retired officer's full salary for up to one year depending on
rank and seniority, while the officer searched for satisfactory
civilian employment.
Data as of December 1988
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