More military personnel are saying they prefer the traditional military pension over a new one that will be available starting in 2018, according to a survey released Monday by First Command Financial Services Inc.

The First Command Financial Behaviors Index for the third quarter of 2016 shows growing support for the traditional military pension. Eighty-two percent of middle-class military families say they want to be grandfathered into the current retirement system. That’s up nine points from the previous quarter and 14 points from the same time a year ago.

The new system, which will be available January 1, 2018, calls for a 20 percent reduction in current retirement pay in exchange for a defined contribution program of automatic and matching Thrift Savings Plan contributions, a mid-career continuation pay bonus and options to receive a portion of retirement as a lump sum. Proponents say the new structure will offer greater financial flexibility and pave the way for a higher percentage of service members to leave the military with at least some retirement savings.

“But the majority of today’s career military remain unconvinced,” says First Command, a financial services organization for military families. Starting in 2018, military personnel will be able to choose the traditional plan that is available after 20 years of service, or sign up for the new plan, which offers some retirement benefits before 20 years of service.

“Our survey data continues to reinforce the obvious preference that career service member families feel for the lifetime financial security offered by the traditional military pension,” says Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command Financial Services. “While proponents of the new blended retirement system tout the value of the cash contributions and other benefits, today’s service members appear to strongly value the guarantees of the existing system. They clearly view the military’s traditional retirement program as a powerful benefit, one that has formed the foundation of long-term financial security for generations of career service members.”