WashingtonWatch.com - S. 546, The Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009

Comment by E4 Ooley USN (November 17, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

I was Temp Early Retirement.in 1973 and Fully Retired in 1978 after 3 years of active duty. Why am I not eligible for CRSC? I am rated 100% IU but could be 100% service connected (long story) DAV suggested I stay at IU. I was Retired from Navy at 50% before being Temp Early Retirement....

Comment by SSG Mathis AR ARNG Ret (September 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

@ jose no you will receive only the higher of the 2 be it VA or Army. And with CRSC at the rank of E6 with 5 active and 70% you would recieve about $8.00 a month...

Comment by SSG Mathis AR ARNG Ret (September 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Also Jose I believe that you were retired before the change took effect....

Comment by jose (August 16, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

ARMY retired me in 2004 after 9 years of service (active and reserves) total of 5 active. I am 70% disable, do i get both checks?...

Comment by SSG Mathis AR ARNG Ret (August 12, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

What I would like to see is the Guard and Reserve's to be treated the same as Active duty personal. I am eligiable for CRSC but due to the fact I was in the ARNG I recieve nothing. Lets all hope that some day we all are treated equal...

Comment by WeTheSheeple (August 1, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Unfortunately part of the problem is the VA rating way too many people as 10%, 20%, or 30% disabled for very minor problems, often times for non-service related problems (acne, sports injuries, etc). I worked as medical liaison in the compensation office at the VA my last 3 years on active duty and personally witnessed the over-generous rating system. This takes nothing away from all those with legitimate service-related disability, but it does help explain why it's hard to pass a bill to cover those with less than 50% disability- too much cost and too many abuses of the system....

Comment by SFC WILLIAM E FAIR (July 31, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

i JUST RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY FROM SENATOR BURR IN nc SAYING HE SUPPORTS s543 retire pay and restoration act but all they do is talk and do nothing. i had 19 1/2 yrs 6 months 18 days active duty with a service connected rateing from the ARMY AT 80% AND 100 FROM va RATEDED AT IU BUT AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CRDP OR CRSC SO MY INJURES DON'T COUNT AT ALL FOR THE SERVICE I GAVE....

Comment by MSG Ray Manzano USA retired (July 24, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I’ve been in the Army from 1972 to 2007. I was medically discharge at 30% with 10.5 years active and the rest in reserve time. I’m VA rated at 70% now. So my retirement check from the Army is about $1500.00 a month but after they take out for SBP and the VA I get $17.00 for retirement. If I had retired from some where else I’d get my VA disability check and a full retirement check. I think it’s outrageous that I have to pay for my own disability. Why are all my years of service to my country worth only $17.00. We earned and deserve our retirement why are we penalized. I don't get CRDP or CRSC....

Comment by Wiser In Jacksonville (July 24, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Senate Senator Reid did not even get his amendment for Chapter 61 retirees included in the 2010 NDAA. Reid talks about the issue of concurrent receipt each year just so he can get the publicity points for doing so. It gives the appearance that he really supports concurrent receipt. In truth letters, calls, to his office are ignored on the issue of concurrent receipt. With a Democratic President, House and Senate controlled by Democrats, they ignore the issue of concurrent receipt. When Republicans were in control they used the issue as a device to go against the Democrats who supported the issue. Democrats even had a discharge petition on the issue for HR 333. No discharge petition this year. In the end the Republicans are now strong proponents of concurrent receipt, now trying to get the issue passed, being stalled by the Democrats, just as the Republicans stalled the Democrats in the past. Concurrent receipt will never be passed for the any remaining group. Will not happen....

Comment by Denny Rushing (July 23, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am 90% disabled so when can I expect them to do away with my CRDP so I can collect my military retirement and my VA disability. 2010?...

Comment by John Wood (July 6, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am proud to say Sen. Nelson from Florida supports this bill, waht about the rest from FL/GA, we are not happy here as vets with your lack of support! Can anyone give an update on where this stands in the Senate Arned Forces Comm.?...

Comment by retired 87 (July 5, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

If America can bail out banks and the stock market,which is required by their greed and stupidity. America can pay this far lesser amount to Americans that truly have earned such an addition....

Comment by c3ccc (June 29, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I was disabled and retired in 1987 with 100%. it was either a greater sum of non taxable dollars or a military retirement which was taxed and a lot less. I spent too many years in the service to just forget about what I lost and could have made. Its nice to see another attempt...

Comment by Terry C (May 7, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Harry Reid is an honorable man with regards to this issue, but he has introduced this same legislation every year (a similar bill is introduced every year in the house). They always have tons of supporters, but they never make it out of committee. It's Politically correct to be on record as being pro-veteran, but the hard work of actually getting the legislation passed is another matter entirely. I for one am not holding my breath on this one. I'll probably never not have to pay for my own disability....

Comment by JrGil (May 1, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

With the reintroduction of this bill several times over the past decade, nothing ever comes out of the committees and subcommittees.I have been sending letters to the Congressional members in the state of Florida at least twice a week. I recommend that all retirees contact their Congressional members and request that this be pushed. In the Senate the bill has 31 cosponsors and in the House only 60. Where are the other 68 Senators and 350 or so in the House? If we stand together and push this fact not only with Congress but also the White House we can get this accomplished. I agree that the Veterans Organizations have dropped the ball after the 50% or higher received the compensation. That explains where all Vets stand when it comes to the Veteran Organizations and Congressional members. JrY...

Comment by Jay Seeley QMCS(SS) ret (May 1, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I have no faith at all in our distinguished members of Congress. This bill has been introduced several times in the last few years in one form or another. It is referred to the Committee on Armed Services and never heard from again....

Comment by Herman Ackley SFC Ret (April 23, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I also retired in 1988, am 40% disabled, and hope to live long enough to see this inequity fixed. Senator Reid 'Git R Done'...

Comment by Bruce Youngbluth (April 23, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Let's stay on top of this and get the word out to all the veterans groups. This has been on the books for years, the same bill in both the Senate and the House (H.R. 303,333,811) and never makes it to the floor for a vote. We all know our courts are tied up with litigation because the USFSPA and VA disability in divorce cases. If you want to know why this has not passed, ask the ABA and follow the money....

Comment by B G Brown (April 15, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

And we continue to wait...last action 3/9/09. Next action??? I'll see if it gets passed before giving kudos to Senator Reid...

Comment by JOHN PETTY (April 10, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I Too, have sent many letters regarding this inequity. My sincere thanks to you again Senator Reid. You are one of a few that have an interest in the veterans. Thanks again....

Comment by Rick C (April 8, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I too am a retired, disabled vet, July 1988. BUT because my disabilities are ONLY (??) 40 percent I am taxed currently $601 a month to pay my own disability. In 2004 they attempted to remedy this but only succeeded in creating a higher class of retirees - those rated at %50 or more are getting concurrent receipt, albeit phased in a bit at a time. Politics aside - Republicans and the vet's organizations really don't give a damn about us or this would have been resolved a long time ago. If I was a federal civil service retiree this would not be happening. I might be against the Honorable Mr. Reid on a lot of things, but when it comes to honor and duty - I have to side with the Senator from Nevada. Let's pray it goes away by the end of the year. Rick C Siox Falls, Sd...

Comment by Chuck Via (March 30, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I retired August 1988 and I have sent many letters and e-mails in support of this inequity. Its about time that we get what we deserve. CSM, Ret, Member American Disabled Veterans and MOPH. THANK YOU SENATOR REID...

Comment by SGM ROB (March 27, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

GET R DONE HARRY...

Revision by webmaster (March 23, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

S. 546 would amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain retired members of the uniformed services 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 of Combat-Related Special Compensation.

Detailed Summary

Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009 - Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more).

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: 3/9/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Comment by J Cripps (March 16, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Whoa there. Reid has introduced this same bill before and, even though he was the Senate leader, it went nowhere. Lighten up on the political rhetoric and pay attention to what is happening....