Pension Cuts for Disabled Veterans, Current Civilian Workers Spared

The military pension cuts in the “bipartisan budget deal” crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Sen. Patty Murrary (D-WA) do not spare disabled veterans.

In fact, disabled veterans who “were previously thought to be exempt from changes to military retiree pay” are exempt no more. 

According to The Washington Free Beacon, the cuts could “cost servicemembers up to $124,000 over a 20-year period.”

Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) said the plan that cuts pensions for military and disabled military personnel “spares current civilian workers from the same treatment.” He argued that the savings derived from changing military pensions could be found elsewhere and he urged the Senate to look in other places and do what had to be done to protect military pensions. 

Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Inhoffe (R-OK), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) joined Sessions in opposing the budget deal. 

Rep. Ryan says the cuts to military pensions “are appropriate” because those being targeted will retire from the military at a young enough age to “maintain a job.” 

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.