Disabled veterans may not be receiving the full retirement compensation for their service, a situation that has prompted calls for legislative change. The Major Richard Star Act, currently before both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, seeks to address this issue by allowing qualified veterans to receive both their full retirement pay and disability benefits.
Currently, retirement pay for combat-injured and medically retired veterans is reduced by the amount they receive in service-connected disability compensation, a policy often referred to as the “Wounded Veteran Tax.” The proposed legislation would end this offset.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which includes many members who have served in the military, has announced its support for the bill. Other national veterans organizations also backing the measure include Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), The American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant stated: “On behalf of the 600,000 active and retired members of IAM Union, I want to thank the bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives for supporting this very important piece of legislation that is intended to improve the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for this country,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “The IAM is a diverse labor union with a very significant number of veterans in our membership. We will always fight for the rights of our veterans. The House and the Senate must pass the Major Richard Star Act to end the unjust offset that penalizes combat-injured veterans by denying them the full benefits they have earned.”
Supporters are urging individuals to contact their legislators about passing this bipartisan bill.
