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As it is now, a disabled veteran that's retired from the military cannot collect retired pay and disability benefits unless they're at least 50% disabled. An antique law considers it double dipping. Every year your politicians garner the vet votes with false promises of change for disabled vets.
Any opinions on this? Should the law, though very costly, be changed?
I do however have a problem with certain groups of folks being allowed to collect their pension without tax penalties before the rest of us can.
If someone loses their hearing (artillery military in particular); they don't deserve their disability portion tax free.
You don't understand how it's done. The disability amount is not taxed, but it is subtracted from the total retirement pay.
It's basically a wash.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomeWurkin
Ok, then forget the word "pension". How about 401k's? Most folks don't even have pensions anymore. They either have a 401k, or nothing with their employer.
The government says I can't touch that without penalty until a certain age. So again, why is the same government giving out retirement benefits to able-bodied folks in their 30's? That is clearly unfair.
The retired servicemember cannot touch their TSP (401k) until they're of age; same rules apply.
If you find it unfair, why not join the military and get the same benefit?
Last edited by chielgirl; 03-25-2011 at 09:30 AM..
If someone loses their hearing (artillery military in particular); they don't deserve their disability portion tax free.
You don't understand how it's done. The disability amount is not taxed, but it is subtracted from the total retirement pay.
It's basically a wash.
In reality that may not be the case though. I believe that may exist in some form. I am not sure but it MAY depend on the disability rating.
I believe if you hit 50% that is not the case. This is what happened to me. I retired and got a certain amount of retirement pay. After I retired I got rated at 70%. I got a VA check for a certain amount and my retired pay still remained the same. I did submitted another claim for one more issue at the advice of the Veterans group that helped me put my claim. They asked me to keep the claim after the first claim was answered and later came up with 70% as I said.
After the second claim it was raised to 90% so my VA check went higher and my retirement pay STILL remained the same.
That is my story. I can't say I am expert in all the VA regulations, take care.
In reality that may not be the case though. I believe that may exist in some form. I am not sure but it MAY depend on the disability rating.
I believe if you hit 50% that is not the case. This is what happened to me. I retired and got a certain amount of retirement pay. After I retired I got rated at 70%. I got a VA check for a certain amount and my retired pay still remained the same. I did submitted another claim for one more issue at the advice of the Veterans group that helped me put my claim. They asked me to keep the claim after the first claim was answered and later came up with 70% as I said.
After the second claim it was raised to 90% so my VA check went higher and my retirement pay STILL remained the same.
That is my story. I can't say I am expert in all the VA regulations, take care.
My boss is a 10% vet; I asked him today about his disability benefits; for his % that's the case. 10% would basically be a wash.
I work with some 50% vets, but didn't ask them.
From what you say, there may be different rules for the 50% and over disabled; I might look around a bit next week, but am traveling this weekend.
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