Rep. Jon Runyan (R-N.J.) co-sponsored two measures on Thursday that would strike a cost of living adjustment for military veterans and medical retirees from the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) introduced both pieces of legislation. One bill would eliminate the Bipartisan Budget Act’s COLA reduction for all military retirees who are younger than 62.
The other bill would eliminate the COLA reduction for military veterans who are younger than 62 and receive combat-related specialty compensation or concurrent receipt pay under a medical retirement. The measure also would exempt surviving spouses who receive benefits under the survivor benefit program from the COLA reduction.
“I was very disappointed that the Bipartisan Budget Act contained COLA reductions for certain military retirees,” Runyan said. “That is why I am pleased to work with Chairman Miller to advance legislation that would eliminate the cuts. Our nation’s service members and veterans deserve nothing less.”
Under the Bipartisan Budget Act, the cost of living adjustment would be reduced to 1 percentage point below the consumer price index for working-age military retirees. Once a retiree became 62 years old, the COLA level would increase by 1 percentage point. The change would go into effect in 2016.