ARMED FORCES NEWS
 CONCURRENT RECEIPT DEMANDED FOR ALL
June 28, 2002

The fiscal 2003 National Defense Authorization Act is likely to overturn the requirement that military retirees -- the only group of federal or civilian retirees so affected -- must forfeit one dollar of retired pay for each dollar of disability compensation they are awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The House's version of the act would phase out the forfeiture over five years forveterans disabled 60 percent or higher. The Senate's version would simply toss it out completely, and allow all disabled veterans to receive disability payments along with their earned retirement income. But senior Administration officials have advised President Bush to veto either version. 

ADMINISTRATION'S ATTACK ON CONCURRENT RECEIPT
Veterans' organizations vehemently oppose the forcing military retirees to forfeit their retired pay in exchange for VA disability compensation. In addition, 82 senators and 395 House members are cosponsors of legislation to repeal the 100-year-old law. Nevertheless, on June 19 the Office of Management and Budget said that for reasons of "fiscal discipline" the President's senior advisors would recommend that he veto the entire fiscal 2003 National Defense Authorization Act if it contained either of the concurrent receipt plans. The written statement asserted that the action "is contrary to the long-standing principle that no one should be able to receive concurrent retirement benefits and disability benefits based upon the same service." It added, "All federal compensation systems aim for an equitable percentage of income replacement in the case of either work-related injury or retirement."

VETERANS EXCORIATE CONCURRENT RECEIPT VETO THREAT

A threat to veto the fiscal 2003 National Defense Authorization Act if it authorizes concurrent receipt of military retirement pay and VA disability compensation (previous items) has enraged leaders of many veterans' organizations. Examples:

American Legion Commander Richard J. Santos: "A military career is filled with hardships, family separations, personal sacrifices, and all too often being placed in harm's way. Denying a military retiree an earned benefit -- his or her military retirement pay -- is unconscionable. Today, in Afghanistan, career officers and noncommissioned officers risk losing their retirement pay if they are wounded or seriously injured, which is absurd."

Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-in-Chief James N. Goldsmith: "This threat is a callous and irrational assault against rectifying a longstanding injustice endured by those in uniform who have devoted their lives to protecting the nation. No other category of federal employees, to include Congress and the executive branch, is required to relinquish a portion of their earned retirement pay simply because they are also receiving VA disability compensation. It is inconceivable to us that the president would perpetuate such an injustice for the sake of achieving a balanced budget." 

Disabled American Veterans: "It is unconscionable that President Bush appears to care so little about retired members of the armed forces who were disabled as a result of their service to our nation," said DAV commander George H. Steese, Jr. "We must put an end to this long-standing injustice against some of America's most deserving disabled veterans."

The Retired Enlisted Association: "Every veteran, every retiree -- every American -- should be outraged at a policy that discriminates against those who have put themselves in harm's way for their country," said TREA National President Vincent B. Niski.