(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District—KS) has lent his support to the Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001. This legislation permits retired members of the armed forces with 20 years of service and service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation.

Currently, retired veterans who qualify for disability support have their disability payment deducted from their military retirement benefits. For example, a retiree with a 30% disability rating who receives $1000 per month in retirement benefits has their payment reduced to only $683 a month.

“It is obvious that those with disabilities have special and ongoing needs they must address to lead independent lives,” said Moore. “Reducing the retirement benefits of disabled veterans is not only unfair, but it also defeats the purpose of providing additional support to disabled veterans who need it.”

“If our nation is going to ask men and women to make sacrifices for the freedom of our nation, then we need to adequately address their needs,” said Moore. “This is especially true when they are injured or debilitated because of their service and sacrifice.”

The current system is intended to prevent dual compensation. But supporters of the bill believe the notion of dual compensation is erroneous.

Service-connected disability benefits are paid to compensate veterans for an injury or illness incurred or aggravated during military service. Retirement benefits are paid to provide income to military retirees who have spent at least 20 years working for and serving as members of the Armed Forces. Supporters of the bill believe these programs are separate, set up for completely different purposes, and that payments made should not be considered duplicative.

The Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001 is known as H.R. 303 in the House, and S. 170 in the Senate. It is supported by The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and other veterans’ advocacy organizations.