Sponsored by:
Assemblyman P. CHRISTOPHER TULLY
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman LISA SWAIN
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER
District 28 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Benson, Wirths, Space, Assemblywoman Murphy and Assemblyman Houghtaling
SYNOPSIS
Urges US Congress pass “Retired Pay Restoration Act.”
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the United States Congress to pass the “Retired Pay Restoration Act.”
Whereas, A 19th Century law requires military retired pay to be offset, dollar for dollar, by the amount of disability compensation received from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and
Whereas, Military retired pay earned by service and sacrifice in defending the United States should not be reduced because a military retiree is also eligible for veterans’ disability compensation awarded for a service-connected disability; and
Whereas, Retired pay and disability compensation are different types of compensation – retired pay is provided to recognize a career of uniformed service while VA disability compensation is compensation for pain, suffering, and lost future earning power due to service-connected disabilities; and
Whereas, The “Retired Pay Restoration Act” pending before Congress would permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both military retired pay by reason of their years of military service and disability compensation from the VA; and
Whereas, Service members make countless sacrifices in service to this country and State and should not be forced to forfeit their military retired pay because a 19th Century law reduces their retirement benefit by the amount they receive in disability compensation; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the United State Congress to pass the “Retired Pay Restoration Act.”
2. Copies of the resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President and Vice-President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution urges Congress to pass the “Retired Pay Restoration Act.” The act would permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both military retired pay and disability compensation from the United Stated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their disability.
A 19th Century law requires military retired pay to be offset, dollar for dollar, by the amount of disability compensation received from the VA. Military retired pay earned by service and sacrifice in defending the United States should not be reduced because a military retiree is also eligible for veterans’ disability compensation awarded for a service-connected disability. The “Retired Pay Restoration Act” pending before Congress would permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both military retired pay by reason of their years of military service and disability compensation from the VA. This House recognizes the sacrifice of service members and their families and urges Congress to pass the “Retired Pay Restoration Act.”