@resjudicata An O4 isn't going to live comfortably either.
Survive? Easily
If an O4 retired right now at 20 years?
Under High-3 they would make $4,403 a month
Under BRS the y would make $3,522 a month
Not all, but most FGOs have families and are used to living on 120-140k a year depending on AFSC and incentive pay.
That would be like taking a 60% paycut. Now they could theoretically contribute less to retirment with a guaranted pension that will rise with COLA, but they still have significantly less money than when active.
An O5 is in the same boat but add $500-600 to the figures above.
Unless you're an O6 that stays in for 25ish years, you are definitely getting a job post military.
Even an O6 at 26 years is $7,889 a month. That's 90k, after federal taxes, FICA, etc, that O6 is clearing around 6500 a month. An active duty Captain makes more and their used to making more than double that.
With lifestyle creep and all involved, the only military members who legit retire and don't get a job after service are the ones who take a cost of living cut and sont need to support their kids as much.