7/9, Agree...element of mil salary goes to scheme (X factor is abated before awards I believe, but may be wrong there. So contributions are "un-seen").
The real issue is the time its taken to get additional pay pensionable..well, for those deemed worthy enough to be selected for the PA spine anyway! BUT..bear in mind the smoke and mirrors used to achieve it..abating an element of flying pay into daily rates, the key is..how much is that "element" going to be?.Long served Spec aircrew, Upper Yardies and LE may need to get calculators out to see if it is worth going for!
Worth a read from bluntie land is the MOD Review of Armed Forces Pensions 2001 (more detail than Commons minutes)...watch out for soldier / officer pensions joining hands! Commissioning from from the ranks (especially Warrant level) may not be that attractive downstream, less gratuity.