Congress Boosts Medal of Honor Pension to $67,500 Annually; Recipients Say Change Honors Lifetime of Service

Medal of Honor winners will soon get a significant boost to their special pension. This is because of a new federal law that improves years of underfunding for the country's most decorated soldiers. The President signed the Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends Act (MEDAL Act) on Monday. It raises monthly payments from $1,489.73 to $5,625. This brings the yearly honorarium to about $67,500, which is almost four times the previous amount.

The increase comes after years of requests from Medal of Honor winners, veterans groups, and lawmakers who said the stipend had not kept up with rising costs or the long-term public duties Medal of Honor recipients have. There are now only 63 recipients left living.

Medal of Honor winner MSG Earl Plumlee said the bigger benefit is that the government recognizes service members often continue to work after the war is over. Plumlee told Military.com, "I have seen firsthand the commitment that Vietnam-era recipients have made to this country for decades after their service." He also said that the recipients spent "countless miles traveled and countless hours spent with school groups, veterans, civic groups, active-duty units, and anyone who asked." He said that the law "helps balance that scale."

People who have held the medal for a long time have said it comes with a public role that requires extensive travel, public appearances, and mentoring service members and towns across the country. Plumlee said that one day, younger recipients will take over that job. "That mission will be stronger because of the MEDAL Act," he said. “It shows that the country values both the actions that earned the medal and the service that follows it for life.”

The bill passed Congress with bipartisan support. It passed the House in February and then the Senate by unanimous consent. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., said the bill makes sure the country keeps its promise to its greatest honorees. "We must honor our service members who have earned this award by making sure they have enough money when they leave the military," he said.

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said that the award winners "never ask for special recognition or demand special treatment." Instead, he said, they spend a lot of time inspiring people to follow in their footsteps. He said that his bill would help them with their money problems and show appreciation for the country.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has not yet said when the payouts will increase. The VA told recipients to consult the agency's Medal of Honor pension frequently asked questions (FAQs), noting that implementation guidance is still not available.

The Congressional Budget Office has not yet put out a complete estimate of how much the law will cost. The CBO representative stated that the measure's suspension earlier this year prevented the release of a separate estimate. The price hike comes as federal officials reevaluate veterans' compensation systems in general because of the growing costs of benefits and inflation.