Bill
SR 2754
Would allow medically retired service members to receive full retirement pay and VA disability benefits concurrently, ending the offset for those with under 20 years of service.
Purpose
- Urges the United States Congress to enact the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 and S. 1032).
- The resolution expresses support for removing retirement-Disability benefit offsets for medically retired service members and veterans.
Main purpose and intent
- To advocate at the federal level for legislation that would allow all medically retired service members to receive full access to both retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits without an offset.
- Specifically highlights the situation of service members who retire due to disability before reaching 20 years of service and with a disability rating under 50%.
Key provisions and changes proposed by the bill
- Legislative goal: passage of the Major Richard Star Act.
- Core change (federal law): eliminate the current “dollar-for-dollar” offset that reduces retirement pay by the amount of VA disability benefits for certain veterans.
- Under current rules (as described in the resolution): veterans with less than 20 years of service and a disability rating below 50% lose retirement pay in proportion to their disability benefits received.
- The act would allow medically retired service members to collect full retirement pay and VA disability benefits concurrently.
- The resolution itself does not enact federal law but urges Congress to pass the federal bill.
Who is affected
- Medically retired service members and veterans who:
- Have less than 20 years of service at retirement.
- Receive VA disability benefits (notably those whose disability rating would otherwise trigger an offset against retirement pay).
- The broader effect would be to ensure concurrent receipt of retirement pay and VA disability compensation for those medically retired.
Background and rationale provided in the resolution
- Major Richard Star was an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who developed lung cancer following exposure to burn pits.
- He retired before 20 years of service and thus faced the offset, preventing full access to retirement and disability benefits.
- The resolution cites estimated impacts:
- Approximately 50,000 retired service members could be ineligible for concurrent benefits under existing rules.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimated the average monthly offset in 2022 to be about $1,900.
- The resolution notes Major Star’s advocacy and state sympathy for ensuring veterans receive all benefits they have earned, regardless of cost.
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Introduced: February 27, 2026
- Committee: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
- Schedule/Actions:
- March 11, 2026: Committee recommended holding for further study (initial action)
- March 6, 2026; March 11, 2026: hearings/consideration scheduled
- April 29, 2026: Committee recommends passage
- April 30, 2026: Placed on Senate Calendar (for May 7, 2026, per note)
- Legislative format: A Senate Resolution urging Congress, not a bill with immediate state law impact. It directs the Rhode Island Secretary of State to transmit copies to Rhode Island’s congressional delegation.
Sponsorship
- Introduced by Senators Ciccone, Felag, Tikoian, and Gallo
- Co-sponsors: Senators Walter Felag, David Tikoian, Hanna Gallo, Frank Ciccone
Impact assessment
- Policy impact: If federal legislation passes, medically retired veterans with concurrent eligibility could receive full retirement and VA disability benefits.
- Fiscal/cost impact: The resolution implies a financial cost to the federal government but does not specify amounts; the referenced average offset suggests substantial ongoing expenditures that would be negated for affected individuals.
- State role: Rhode Island Legislature expresses support and advocacy to Congress; no direct state budgetary impact from the resolution itself.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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