ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION, No. 260

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 9, 2021

      The Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Resolution No. 260.

     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.”