S. 1032: Major Richard Star Act
Sponsor
Richard Blumenthal
Democrat · CT
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 13, 2025
Read twice and Referred to Armed Services. for review
Why it matters
The bill would end a long-criticized benefit offset for medically retired service members with combat-related disabilities, an issue with strong bipartisan backing and immediate financial stakes for affected families.
The Major Richard Star Act targets a problem that many veterans groups have fought for years: some service members who were medically retired because of disability still have their retirement pay reduced dollar-for-dollar when they receive VA disability compensation. In plain English, these veterans earned retirement benefits and disability benefits, but current law often forces them to give up part of one to get the other.
What does S. 1032 do?
Allows full military retirement and VA disability pay
The bill lets certain medically retired service members receive both their military retired pay and their VA disability compensation in full, instead of having one payment reduce the other.
Applies to combat-related disabilities
The benefit expansion is aimed at disability retirees whose VA compensation is tied to combat-related disabilities, using the existing combat-related definition in federal law.
Covers Chapter 61 disability retirees
The bill specifically includes service members retired for disability under chapter 61 of title 10, a group that has often been excluded from broader concurrent receipt rules.
Removes the offset tied to VA compensation
It states that eligible retirees are to be paid without regard to the title 38 rules that currently reduce retired pay when a veteran receives VA disability benefits.
Updates old concurrent receipt language
The bill deletes outdated language from federal law connected to an earlier phase-in of concurrent receipt and makes related technical edits so the statute reads clearly.
Starts quickly after enactment
If passed, the changes would take effect on the first day of the first month after the law is enacted, and would apply to payments going forward from that date.
Who benefits from S. 1032?
Combat-disabled medical retirees
They would be able to keep both their earned military retired pay and VA disability compensation, increasing monthly income.
Military families of wounded retirees
Households affected by the current offset could see more stable finances and less pressure from lost retirement income.
Younger disability retirees with shorter service
Many medically retired members leave service before reaching a traditional retirement length, so this bill could help a group that often falls through the cracks of existing law.
Veterans advocacy organizations
Groups that have pushed for concurrent receipt would see progress on a long-running priority they frame as basic fairness.
Who is affected by S. 1032?
Department of Defense pay systems
DoD would need to adjust retirement payment rules and administration so eligible retirees receive full concurrent payments.
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA benefits themselves would not be cut, but coordination with military retirement systems would need to reflect the new no-offset rule.
Federal budget and appropriators
Congress would face higher mandatory or direct spending pressure because more retirees would receive unreduced payments.
Other disabled retirees not covered by the bill
Retirees whose disabilities are not classified as combat-related may continue to face the offset, which could keep pressure on Congress to expand eligibility further.
S. 1032 Common Questions
Can Chapter 61 medical retirees get both military retirement and VA disability pay under the Major Richard Star Act?
Yes. Under the Major Richard Star Act (Section 2), eligible Chapter 61 disability retirees with combat-related disabilities could receive both full retired pay and VA disability compensation for the same month.
Does the Major Richard Star Act end the VA disability offset for combat-disabled retirees?
Yes. Under the Major Richard Star Act (Section 2), retired pay for eligible combat-disabled retirees would not be reduced under 38 U.S.C. 5304 and 5305 when they also receive VA disability compensation.
Who qualifies for the Major Richard Star Act concurrent receipt benefit?
According to S. 1032 Section 2, it applies to members or former members retired for disability under Chapter 61 who are also entitled to VA disability compensation for a combat-related disability.
What disabilities count under the Major Richard Star Act?
Under the Major Richard Star Act (Section 2), the bill covers veterans entitled to compensation for a 'combat-related disability' using the existing definition in 10 U.S.C. 1413a(e).
How soon would Major Richard Star Act payments start after enactment?
According to S. 1032 Section 2, the changes would take effect on the first day of the first month beginning after enactment, and apply to payments for months starting on or after that date.
Can veterans get retired pay and VA disability compensation for the same month under S. 1032?
Yes. Under S. 1032 Section 2, eligible retirees could be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for the same month without the usual offset.
Does the Major Richard Star Act apply only to uniformed service members already retired for disability?
Yes. Under the Major Richard Star Act (Section 2), the affected group is members or former members of the uniformed services entitled to retired pay under Chapter 61.
Which federal laws would no longer reduce retired pay under the Major Richard Star Act?
According to S. 1032 Section 2, the bill would stop reductions tied to 38 U.S.C. sections 5304 and 5305 for eligible retirees receiving VA disability compensation.
Is the Major Richard Star Act retroactive for past VA and retirement payments?
No. According to S. 1032 Section 2, it applies to payments for months beginning on or after the effective date, not earlier months.
Does the Major Richard Star Act create a special rule for Chapter 61 disability retirees?
Yes. Under the Major Richard Star Act (Section 2), section 1414(b) is replaced with a 'Special Rule for Chapter 61 Disability Retirees' to allow concurrent receipt for eligible combat-disabled retirees.
Based on S. 1032 bill text
S1032 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Mar 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
About the Sponsor
Richard Blumenthal
Democrat, CT · 15 years in Congress
Committees: Veterans' Affairs, United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
View full profile →
Cosponsors (78)
This bill has 78 cosponsors: 41 Democrats, 35 Republicans, 2 Independents, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 44 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, and 41 more.
Mike Crapo
Republican · ID
Rick Scott
Republican · FL
Elizabeth Warren
Democrat · MA
Michael Bennet
Democrat · CO
Cory Booker
Democrat · NJ
John Boozman
Republican · AR
Katie Britt
Republican · AL
Shelley Capito
Republican · WV
John Cornyn
Republican · TX
Catherine Cortez Masto
Democrat · NV
Tom Cotton
Republican · AR
Kevin Cramer
Republican · ND
Committee Sponsors
Armed Services Committee
19 of 27 committee members cosponsored
2 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 1032 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 1413a(f) of such title
striking ``Subsection (d)'' and inserting ``Subsection (c)''
S. 1032 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Armed Services
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Mar 13, 2025
Read twice and Referred to Armed Services. for review
Mar 13, 2025
Who is lobbying on S. 1032?
5 organizations lobbying on this bill
MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA | 10 |
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS | 8 |
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA | 6 |
ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY, (INC.) | 6 |
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | 2 |
Showing 1-5 of 5 organizations
S. 1032 Bill Text
“To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for concurrent receipt of veterans’ disability compensation and retired pay for disability retirees with combat-related disabilities, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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