JTO,
My key point....
Irrespective of the 43 yr point, if all of us get told this Budget or as part of that AFPRB settlement that the HMRC will start taxing our gratuities/EDPs from 1 Apr 12 then none of us have the chance to plan and consider the pros and cons of an exit before 2015. The draw bridge goes up with no one being able to PVR and be out in one month.
But from an AMP perspective I can see why he would not want the optionI and ambiguity to remain as potentially with 1year to go to to the new pension terms (2014?) there could conceivably be a mass exodus and major skills shortage as the difference between 0% tax and 30-40% on EDPs makes it a no brainier for many - however much they may or may not enjoy their job and the RAF.