FINAL BILL REPORT

SJM 8008

As Passed Legislature

Brief Description: Requesting that veterans receive concurrent retirement and disability payments.

Sponsors: Senators Rasmussen, Swecker, Roach, Shin, Kastama, Franklin, Winsley, Schmidt, Oke, Eide and Kohl-Welles; by request of Joint Select Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs.

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

House Committee on State Government

Background: Retired veterans who are also disabled are not allowed to receive both the full amount of their retirement benefits and also the full amount of their disability benefits. The federal government reduces dollar for dollar the amount of retirement benefits received by the amount of disability benefits received.

In Washington, retired veterans account for 10 percent of the population. Of this, 37 percent are disabled.

Summary: The federal government is asked to allow retired veterans who are also disabled to receive the full amounts of their retirement and disability entitlements.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       49  0

House       96  0