What Is Congress Doing to Guarantee a COLA Increase for Vets?

Home » Blog » What Is Congress Doing to Guarantee a COLA Increase for Vets?
July 19, 2022 •  The Estate & Elder Law Center of Southside Virginia, PLLC
Lawmakers in recent days took the first steps in ensuring that veterans receive a cost-of-living boost in their federal benefits later this year, introducing legislation that would guarantee the veterans’ checks see the same increase as Social Security payouts.
Robert W. Haley, managing lawyer
Robert W. Haley
Certified Elder Law Attorney® Robert W. Haley brings over 27 years of legal expertise and knowledge to his firm, which concentrates solely on the areas of elder law, estate planning (Last Will & Testaments, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Trusts, etc.,.) Asset Protection/Medicaid Planning and fiduciary services. For many years, Robert practiced in real estate law, and in general practice, but decided to narrow his focus to elder law and estate planning when he realized the tremendous need for proper planning to be filled in Southside Virginia.

What Is Congress Doing to Guarantee a COLA Increase for Vets? Some moves to address helping veterans are underway! The legislation was filed by Reps. Elaine Luria, D-Va., and Troy Nehls, R-Texas, late last week and by Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Jerry Moran, R-Kansas. In joint statements, the four called the proposal critical to bolstering veteran’s finances, reports Military Times’ recent article entitled “Lawmakers move to guarantee cost-of-living boost for veterans benefits.”

“We have a responsibility to take care of our veterans, many of whom rely on VA for financial support,” said Moran, ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“As rampant inflation is driving up the cost of living, this legislation helps make certain that veterans are able to keep up with our changing economy and receive the benefits they have been promised.”

The cost-of-living increase will fully benefit retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System. However, it will have a lesser impact on Federal Employee Retirement System recipients.

The legislation linking the two government benefits is largely routine.  Lawmakers usually approve the annual proposal to couple VA benefits increases with Social Security benefits increases by large bipartisan margins.

However, it’s not automatic. Despite efforts by some advocates in the past, an annual cost-of-living increase in veterans benefits requires congressional action. Social Security benefits, on the other hand, are adjusted based on an automatic formula that is triggered whether lawmakers vote on it or not.

In 2021, as inflation pressures began to impact the American economy, that increase was 5.9%. Officials have not given this year’s adjustment but continued rising costs across the economy could drive that figure even higher.

The VA COLA increase bill would apply to payouts for disability compensation, clothing allowance, dependency and indemnity benefits and other VA assistance programs.

“Transitioning from active duty to civilian life is not always easy, and a cost-of-living adjustment is the least we can do for the men, women and families who served our country,” said Luria, herself a Navy veteran.

No schedule has been set for when either chamber could vote on the bill. Hopefully a COLA Increase for Vets will be coming soon!

If you or a loved one are concerned about issues like estate planning and elder law concerns including Asset Protection/Medicaid Planning and questions regarding long-term care and the nursing home, reach out to us!  Book a call with us on our website: www.VAElderLaw.com to see how we can help! We have offices in BassettDanville and Lynchburg to serve you.

Reference: Military Times (May 23, 2022) “Lawmakers move to guarantee cost-of-living boost for veterans benefits”

Suggested Key Terms: Estate Planning Lawyer, Retirement Planning, VA Benefits, Veterans, Military, Legislation

Book an Initial Call
Speak With Someone
Schedule an available time to speak with us. We look forward to meeting with you!
Book an Initial Call
Client Success Stories
Google Reviews
Lynchburg Virginia Office

810 Main Street, (3rd Floor of the Truist Building)
Lynchburg, Virginia 24504

Danville Virginia Office

109 Bridge Street, Suite 104 (First floor of the Spectrum Medical Building)
Danville, Virginia 24541

Bassett Virginia Office

1460 Fairystone Park Hwy,
Bassett, Virginia 24055

Integrity Marketing Solutions - Estate Planning Marketing
Powered by
magnifiercrosschevron-down