Disabled veterans may not be receiving the full retirement compensation for their service, according to supporters of the Major Richard Star Act. The proposed legislation would allow qualified veterans to receive both their full retirement pay and disability benefits at the same time. Currently, combat-injured, medically retired veterans see their retirement pay reduced by the amount they receive in service-connected disability compensation, a policy some refer to as the “Wounded Veteran Tax.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which has many members who have served in the U.S. military, has announced its support for this bill. Several major veterans organizations also back the measure, including Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), The American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
“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 people to contact their legislators about passing this bipartisan bill.
