WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 303, The Retired Pay Restoration Act

Comment by Robert (July 16, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

How hard can this be to understand? I worked for my retirement in the military, I earned it and I should receive it. If the VA determines that I have a service connected disability pension then that is to be paid in addition to my military retirement. Who in the right mind thought that my retirement pension should pay for my disability?...

Comment by Anthony Rigiero (February 26, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

HELP PASS TH SISTER BILL! Sign my petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/S439Retiredpayrestoration/index.html...

Comment by Hap Smith U.S.Marine (ret) (January 26, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

I too served my 20 plus, and was injured several times during that 20 years. VA now has me a 40% SC, after fighting "Them" for years. My comp money is taken out of my retirement check and sent in a check from the VA, they call it a waiver, I call it a rip off. I have wrote my congress person JoAnn Emerson several times, along with others. At least she answers "When it comes up for a vote, I will vote yes." I ask this, "WHY is it not brought up for a vote?" One one board the answer I got was "It costs money", well it cost me my body and health. Congress just don't care, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS! We (The People) need to take hold of "OUR government and fire everyone in office.. Ear marked money is another subject. Later for now .. Thanks for listening Semper FI Hap Smith USMC (ret)...

Comment by Svenster2 (January 23, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Just incredible; I love the mentality that our Leaders are showing. They can give themselves huge raises and pass us over as if we are yesterdays bread. Give us what we earned. We didn't have a problem until we are retired and out of service and trying to survive. Maybe someday?...

Comment by some dumb (December 27, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

I read what you all have written,and you dont understand.congressperson,sen.,polition all spell theif,and coward...

Comment by Stu (December 10, 2007, 01:00:00)

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

How is it that after 24 years active duty I have to finance my own disability because I'm only 40% disabled? My exwife gets 42% of my retirement! Why can't she finance her own retirement? She didn't even serve a day on active duty!...

Comment by bob (December 2, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Im another 100% vet who is still being denied SSD. Two years, lawyers, judges, SS, etc and again another denial last week from SS. ...some troop support. I would suggest to anyone DONT ever join.....You will lose your life one way or another....

Comment by JACKIE (November 13, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

ON BEHALF OF MY FATHER WHO HAS SERVED IN THE CURRENT WAR AND DESSERT STORM THE VETERANS DESERVE TO GET THE DISABILITY PAY CAUSED BY SERVING THEIR COUNTRY AND THE RETIREMENT THAT EVERY PERSON WORKS SO HARD FOR IT IS HARD TO BELEIVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN EXPECT A PERSON TO RISK THEIR LIFE FOR OUR COUNTRY BUT THEY CANNOT SHOW AN INCH OF GRATITUDE IT MAKES ME ANGRY. SOMEONE EVERY ONE WHO LOOKS AT THIS SITE PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR THE HOUSE TO GET THIS PASSED...

Comment by Navalretgy (November 11, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

WHEN I VOLUNTARILY JOINED THE NAVY IN 1970, I WROTE UNCLE SAM A BLANK CHECK FOR AN AMOUNT UP TO AND INCLUDING MY LIFE. I AM AN AMERICAN SOLDIER WILLING TO SACRIFICE MY LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF FREEDOM AND THE LIFE OF ALL WHO HOLD THESE RIGHTS DEAR TO THEIR HEARTS! WHY AM I TREATED AS THOUGH I AM A BURDEN TO MY COUNTRY?...

Comment by Jerry (November 10, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Study this, Study that, talk , talk, talk. Deny , deny, We accept it , we regect it. Constent bickering in Congress so on and so forth. I really don't get it. The only ones suffering are the veterans waiting for Congress to do the right thing. Enough already. Pass this bill to get the vets what they need now to take care of themselves and there family. Seems there just waiting for us to die off one at a time.Vets unite. Vote out the politicians who don't support us vets....

Comment by Lee (November 8, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

This bill should be passed ASAP. How can the government expect to maintain a creditable military force without a draft if they keep sticking it to the disabled veterans? As a 40% disabled retired vet I have trouble understanding these people when they keep talking out of both sides of their mouth....

Comment by GySgt Adams (October 14, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

like Eddie above I am 100% disabled through the VA, 1/3 of my heart died during a heart attack I spent 18 years of active service with the USMC, have put into the Social Security system since I was 13 years old but have been denied any supplement from the Social Security Administration twice and waiting on an appeal that will take 2 years. Also, I don't recieve any concurrence pay from the military, I to wanted to do more than 20 years in the USMC, just trying to survive on what I get with a wife and 2 children and unable to work anywhere. Lets get it together and pass this bill as well as automatic disability through the SSA with the rating that the Government rates us at....

Comment by ED MASON (October 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

If after retiring from the military,I went to work for the post office and then retired with a combined service from the post office,I would not have my pay reduced to pay for my disability. Why does it only happen with military retirees?...

Comment by Where is their Patriotism? (October 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

My husband was drafted, yet served his country all of 90 days when he was 19 years old. Took a grenage in the back and a bullet ihn his leg that became so infected it developed into a disease this country had not seen since the Civil War, now they tell him he can have only a "portion" of his pension. I sure would like to see these "legislators" take that one laying down, I bet you could hear them yammering in Peru. Shame,on our elected officials, lets do with a few less of them and start hiring (yes, Virginia, we do hire them)some honest, hard working real legislators, I hate to say politician, it makes me feel as if I should wash my mouth out with soap. Lets have Americans start running America again-and I don't mean the kind of men and women who are sitting there now! We need men and women who will put in "GOD WE TRUST" first and themselves closer to the bottom of the list....

Comment by C.L. SHIPMAN (October 10, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I spent 8 yrs active. and 23 yrs being called to active duty in the reserve. I was operated on for something in eye and now have lost vision in the left eye. I also caught Asthma, while in the PI and turned into Emphyzema and COPD. Received, retirement and then taken away when the VA finally after 8 yrs gave me a 90% disability rating and paying for 70% I lost two business for being recalled to active duty. Why can't congress act on this matter, so the US Veteran enjoy a nice retired life....

Comment by louis smith (October 4, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Spent 21 years in the Airforce working around jet fighters. Retired in 1973 and finally received thirty percent disability for hearing damage in 2006. Cannot hold down a real job because of this....

Comment by John Barnett (September 30, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

As long as you have crooked Congressmen and Senators, as we do, American servicemen and women will never get the benefit of a doubt. Let them fight our wars...

Comment by Rusty Ssg Retired (September 21, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Why is it they bring it up over and over again and then make deals to reduce it or just leave it in committee tll next year claiming we did some'n . I did my twenty and got 40 % rating from VA Oh I'm less than fifty so I get nothing is one more undeserving at 50% than at 40%I think the deals need to stop pay us what you know is right! We did not ask what our country couyld do for us when we joined but now that we did our duty we do!! this law would not be allowed in the privte sector as it discrimanates so why does our goverment do it?...

Revision by webmaster (September 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 303 would amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation and to eliminate the phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt.

Detailed Summary

Retired Pay Restoration Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that military retired pay should not be reduced because a military retiree is also eligible for veterans' disability compensation awarded for a service-connected disability.

Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (currently, only a disability rated at 50 percent or more). Repeals provisions phasing in the full concurrent receipt of such pay through December 31, 2013.

Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/1/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (September 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/2/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Comment by Gordon (September 17, 2007, 01:00:00)

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I spent 20 years in the Navy and now I'm disabled thru the VA. They are taking my disability out of my retirement pay. Thanks Alot Uncle Sam....

Comment by Eddie (September 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

This bill should be a priority! My total disabilities added up to 150% and the VA ratings table converted that to 90%, but unemployable. Just try to get social security disability! They turned me down twice. So I am appealing that and it will take 2 years to hear an appeal. I had to get an attorney for that. I should think being rated disabled by the VA would automatically qualify one for social security disability. Yes, the VA told me one can "double dip". I paid for it! This whole phase-in period and withholding retired pay is ludicrous! I, and so many others, have sacrificed everything. Besides the physical limitations that prevent me from working, I can no longer enjoy recreational activities, had greating earnings potential, and have lost social interaction. I feel like I've been shoved to the bottom of the chain. Forgotten!...

Comment by Buddy (September 7, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I find it incomprehensive that lawmakers are not giving this bill a front row sit in the House and the Senate. What's the problem?...

Comment by Johnny Mac (August 21, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I think for me, it's a matter of "What's fair is fair". I worked my 8 to 20 hour days, I was apart from my family for months at a time, I pledged my allegiance to the country. If ANY govt. employees are receiving concurrent retirement/disability pay, then ALL should receive it. My two cents......

Comment by Mel (July 22, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I gave 110% in fighting and defending this nation, all that I ask is my pay for my 15yrs of service along with the disability that forced me to only give 15. I broke my back in the first gulf war and was forced to retire. Those were not choices. I did not want to be disabled, and I wanted to retire at 20+ yrs....