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Congress·In Committee

Bipartisan Bill in Congress Aims to End Benefit Cuts for Combat-Injured Veterans

Major Richard Star Act

12 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

  • This bill stops the government from reducing retirement pay for veterans who were forced to retire early due to combat-related injuries. Currently, many of these veterans have their retirement checks cut by the same amount they receive in disability benefits, which is often called an 'offset.'
  • The change would help veterans who were injured in combat or during combat training. It ensures they get the full amount of both the retirement they earned through their service and the disability pay they deserve for their injuries.
  • Right now, only veterans with at least 20 years of service can usually keep both full checks. This bill expands that to include those who had to retire sooner because of their combat injuries, affecting tens of thousands of retired service members.
  • If passed, the new rules would start on the first day of the month after the bill is signed into law. It would apply to all monthly payments from that point forward.
Veterans

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 13, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Mar 13, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

First full month after enactment

If signed into law, concurrent receipt begins on the first day of the next month

Eligible combat-disabled veterans would start seeing their full retirement pay and full disability compensation in their very next monthly payment, potentially adding thousands of dollars per month to their income.

2025

Senate Armed Services Committee reviews the bill

The bill has strong bipartisan support with 43 Senate cosponsors, but it still needs to clear committee, pass both chambers, and be signed. Similar bills have been introduced in previous sessions without becoming law, so passage is not guaranteed.

Related News

3 articles
Military.com·about 2 months ago

Disabled Combat Veterans Feel Shortchanged, Push for Retirement Benefits

Combat veterans Chad Rogers and Lyle Allen share their struggles with the current benefit offset policy. The Major Richard Star Act would allow medically retired veterans with less than 20 years of service to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation simultaneously.

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Military.com·12 months ago

Lawmakers Try Again on Bill to Give 50,000 Medically Retired Veterans Full VA Disability, Retirement Pay

A bipartisan group of senators reintroduced the Major Richard Star Act in March 2025. The legislation aims to eliminate the dollar-for-dollar offset that reduces retirement pay for service members medically retired due to combat injuries before reaching 20 years of service.

C=
PBS News·almost 3 years ago

Sen. Jon Tester on looming battles over debt, immigration in Congress

Senator Jon Tester discusses the Major Richard Star Act, arguing it is only fair that veterans forced to retire due to combat injuries receive both retirement and disability pay. He emphasizes that the nation must live up to its agreement with the all-volunteer military force.

CL+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Major Richard Star Act

Bill NumberS 1032
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(78)
D: 41R: 35I: 2

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.