Disabled veterans currently face a reduction in their retirement pay equal to the amount they receive in service-connected disability compensation, a policy often referred to as the “Wounded Veteran Tax.” The Major Richard Star Act, now before both chambers of Congress, aims to allow certain qualified veterans to receive both their full retirement pay and disability benefits without this offset.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which counts many military veterans among its members, has announced support for the bill. The legislation also has backing from several major veterans organizations such as 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 encouraging individuals to contact their legislators in favor of passing the act, which seeks to address what they see as an unfair penalty on combat-injured, medically retired veterans.
