NY Legion Urges Repeal of Military Pension Cut

Kenneth Governor

ALBANY -- With lawmakers in Washington considering restoring the full cost-of-living allowance (COLA) for medically retired service men and women, "now is the time for New York's Congressional delegation to protect all military retirees here in the Empire State," New York State American Legion Commander Kenneth Governor said.


"Many lawmakers didn't realize there were provisions in the budget they passed in December that cut one percent from the annual cost-of-living allowance for all military retirees under age 62, including those separated from service with injuries and disabilities," he noted. "It's time for New York's senators and representatives to be concerned about loss of revenue to retired service members here. Not only is it a slap in the face of the men and women who put themselves in harm's way for their country, but also we've been down this road before when they tried to balance the budget on the backs of veterans in the 1980s. The result was the military had problems recruiting and keeping members."

He also said state legislators ought to be concerned about how "the significant number of retired service members in New York -- their constituents -- will be affected."

The American Legion Department of New York is urging its members and the public to tell Congress to repeal the COLA cut, Governor said, noting: "Go to nylegion.org where you'll find a link to submit a message to New York's Congressional delegation."