Veterans, we are conducting a nationwide poll to see whether people think military retirement pay should be exempt from taxes. Please submit your answer below and take a look at the results from other vets, thanks for your time.
Veterans, we are conducting a nationwide poll to see whether people think military retirement pay should be exempt from taxes. Please submit your answer below and take a look at the results from other vets, thanks for your time.
Not exactly a tax, but actually worse – retirees should not have to pay ex-spouses 50% of their “retainer” pay … the ex-spouse is not subject to a recall-to-active-duty, nor a subject to UCMJ for life … did you know that the retired pay of a member of congress is not subject to former spouse division ? what’s up with that ?
Pretty convenient for the members of Congress whom did not sign up to physically become property of the U. S. A.
The Hawk Perspective:
So how long should a person who served honorably for this country have to continue to sacrifice, make sacrifices?
That’s my question! To tax a veterans hard earned benefits is not only disrespectful but shows the fact that after a person serves or retires from service plus disabled due to injuries incurred from service proves what vets have been saying for decades that the US Government don’t care about you after service no matter what great things you have done.
I moved to Texas from North Carolina back in 2017 because at the time I retired plus a 100% disability from the Depart. Of Vet Affairs the State of NC was taxing me every November and it was hard to rebuild in the upcoming new year to save up money for next years tax season.
I am happy that Texas don’t tax military and the US Government shouldn’t tax either, just show a little love respect to those who served.
That’s my Perspective,,,,,
I agree retired pension should not be taxed
My present husband served four years in the Navy and 16 years in the Air Force. He is now 84 years old with a host of extremely serious medical problems, partly or mostly from being in the service. He is not on disability but should be; doesn’t think he deserves it; but I do! He worked on fuselage on the airplanes and was exposed to agent orange. He had to find another job after retiring from the service to finish raising his family. I don’t think any active or retired service men or women or their families should have to pay any taxes; ever! Isn’t it enough that they risk/risked their lives fighting for our country and our freedoms, not to mention all the sacrifices they and their families have/had to make by doing so? They earn/earned and deserve so much more than this! And dental and eye care should be covered completely under Medicare & Tricare, and Medicaid, not only at the VA, but anywhere they and their families choose to go to get that coverage!
WERE DO I GET AN IPHONE OR A FREE SMART PHONE FROM THE VA, DISABLED VIETNAM MILITARY VETERAN. NEVER HAD ONE BECAUSE THEY COST TO MUCH ANDTHE PAYMENTS EVERY MONTH ARE REDICULOUS. FIRST I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT SO IT SHOULD BE FREE. THEY WOULD TAKE ADVANYAGE OF ME FOR NOT KNOWING HOW TO USE ONE
I HAD TO PAY TAXES WHEN I WAS A MILITARY VETERAN FROM 1963 TO 1969. MILITARY SERVICE PEOPLE NEED TO PAY Taxes
I spent 23 years in the US Navy and have been a military retiree for 35 years. I was fortunate enough to learn a trade in the Navy that has paid me well for the past 35 years. I do believe all US citizens should pay their fair share of taxes and there should not be loop holes in the system. Everyone and every business should pay a fair flat tax rate based on earned income only. Any retirement income should not be taxed. Unearned income such as pensions, social security, retirement savings accounts, etc. should be off limits to any government. There is nothing more disheartening than to see your retirement savings being robbed by every level of government politician who invests your money in some welfare program to buy votes from some undeserving freeloader.
Howdy you should run congress!!
All Retired Disabled Military should be TAX FREE. No State or Federal Taxes at all, there is no way on God’s earth that we can be compensated for not only the years of service or the pain of being Disabled because of that service. Oh by the way there is only one true Rate in the NAVY, we gave birth to all the rest.
To all, the IRS has a tax code (IRS Publication 525, page 18) that address this area for all miliary retired personnel!
I strongly believe if our elected officials provide and can take advanage of being tax exempt, we military personnel should be aware of should knowledge that provide awareness, guidance and know-how in this subject matter area.
Please review the following IRS tax code document informational, for additional details and follow actions to be taken! Wish all well on this segment of lifes journey!
Again please see >> IRS Publication 525, page 18
All the best, Milton J. Lockley, RET-VET, 28-YRS of dynamic Naval service!
Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to veterans who are receiving retirement pay. I submitted the complete package to DFAS; but was told it doesn’t apply…
Page 18 discusses Military Disability pensions. Page 16 discusses regular retirement pay. “Payments you receive as a member of a military service are generally taxed as wages except for retirement pay, which is taxed as a pension.” and “Military retirement pay. If your retirement pay is based on age or length of service, it’s taxable and must be included in your income as a pension on lines 5a and 5b of Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Don’t include in your income the amount of any reduction in retirement or retainer pay to provide a survivor annuity for your spouse or children under the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan or the Survivor Benefit Plan.”
No I do not think that the military should not be taxable because the men’s serve their country and I think that they should deserve all what they work for
Yes it should be exempt. I spent 29 years and 9 months on active duty in the Army. I retired in 1991. Military pay was skimpy to say the least. Members of the military SERVED THIS COUNTRY honorably and when retired the government found every way it could to not pay us what we deserved and earned through our service. Members of Congress live high on the hog when they no longer are a member of the Congress. They make millions for basically doing not much of anything.
My retirement is similar to yours but I retired years earlier after 30 years and the retirement based on those years of service is quite meager compared to what service people now get. Congress should not have more than two terms and NO retirement. Their primary job should be as a citizen, not a government suckling.
Yes I agree with you 100%. I served in the Army for 28 years and 5 months, I retired in 1992.
I served 21 years in the U.S.N. and worked for 11 years after that at Chevron U.S.A. where i had a 401K. In 2009, i took out half of my 401K $140K, then about 2 years ago i wanted to get all of it since i am past 70 years. Vanguard who administered Chevron’s 401 K now says i have taken all of it out. I have been asking Vanguard for details of disbursement checks, but they could not present one. I contacted Travis AFB in Fairfield Ca. to ask for Legal Help and i was told they can’t help me. They said i should get a lawyer. This is what i get for having served 21 years and 2 wars, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars?????
Contact your congressman for assistance .
Also try your local TV station consumer reporter for help.
Please contact your congressman as a army veteran my congressman was a God send and fixed my problem the next day
The same thing happened to me, including the relinquishment of an almost paid-off beautiful home, my brother. I had 31 years of military service and recently retired. It’s legal, and if you don’t immediately set up an allotment, this State will garner your retirement pay. Since the child support was for my daughter, I promptly initiated the 💰 payments.
Long story short, I found a job and got on a strict budget (Dave Ramsey), and now own two paid-for 🏠 residences.
Be patient and let God guide you, my brother. You have gracefully served this great nation, therefore it’s time to enjoy life without stress. Blessings.
I’m also a Retired Veteran & 100 % percent disabled. I also pay on my Military Retirement. Also the Military Finance is Garnishing my Military Pay without a Judge Authorization for my Military Pay to be Garnish. Was only married Y for 2 1/2 years before Retirement. Military finance para pro said they can do it. Even with me paying per my divorce papers. I think this is illegal
The same thing happened to me, including the relinquishment of an almost paid-off beautiful home, my brother. I had 31 years of military service and recently retired. It’s legal, and if you don’t immediately set up an allotment, this State will garner your retirement pay. Since the child support was for my daughter, I promptly initiated the 💰 payments.
Long story short, I found a job and got on a strict budget (Dave Ramsey), and now own two paid-for 🏠 residences.
Be patient and let God guide you, my brother. You have gracefully served this great nation, therefore it’s time to enjoy life without stress. Blessings.
To be clear, the question is about retirement pay not about disability pay. VA disability pay is already not taxed. Based on the remaining pay, that is taxed.
Hey, its income.
20 years in the Corps and getting excellent VA care. So my wife and I, also a vet, have both received great care. Some older vets, like us, still believe the VA of old. Don’t!
I pray for those vets who suffer.
I served for 21 years and 2 Wars, Vietnam and Persian Gulf, i believe people who have served this country for a considerable time should be exempt from taxes. But i would trade paying taxes on my retired pay if i can get exemption from Property Taxes; you only get a pass from paying Property taxes if ur rated 100% disabled!!!
VA care of those of us who really need care are neglected by VA. I have sever neuropathy in my feet and go to an Acupuncturist and must pay for it my self.
The military will only take care of you if you can prove your condition was because of your military service that’s just how it works
After 30 years active and reserve service during three wars, I feel blessed that I have only a 10% VA disability rating with several 0% conditions that might require future treatment. It is my opinion that taxing regular retirement should be means based. That is, if you are a retired colonel/congressman WITHOUT disabilities you should pay taxes on your retirement. All 100% disabled veterans should not pay taxes on their retirement/disability pay.
My father also served during three wars without ever claiming any disability compensation. My father and I were grateful for VA education and home loan benefits. It was his opinion, along with many other WW II veterans, that since he was never wounded in battle, he did not deserve disability compensation. He was grateful for two GI Bills that helped him obtain the first college degrees in his family. He was not angry that he had to continue working after his retirement from the Air Force in 1968.
My mother and I submitted his claim for a service-connected death due to kidney cancer. The VA and the Air Force denied this claim. Due to my father’s rank at retirement, my mother would never receive any compensation for his service-connected death, just the satisfaction of knowing his death was caused to due to exposure to radiation as an atomic weapons officer in the 1950’s and 60’s.
If given an opportunity to vote on taxing of retirement benefits, I repeat that the taxation should depend on means testing for non-disability retirement pay. As for the behavior of our federal and state representatives in regards to veterans benefits, including retirement pay taxation, I am surprised by the increased availability of veteran benefits that I have enjoyed over the last 20 years or so. Note that the percentage of veterans serving in the US Congress and state legislative offices is at the lowest rate since our nation was formed in the late 1700’s. With a reduced percentage of veterans serving in public office, one might expect reduced veteran benefits.
According to an article dated July 13, 2020, there were about 1.3 million active-duty personnel, or less than one-half of 1 percent of the U.S. population. There are around 19 million U.S. veterans as of 2021, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, representing less than 10% of the total U.S. adult population, and around 7 percent of the total US population.
Over the past half-century, the number of people on active duty has dropped significantly, from 3.5 million in 1968, during the military draft era, to about 1.4 million (or less than 1% of all U.S. adults) in today’s all-volunteer force.
With the numbers dropping, it seems like one of the benefits that could be offered to increase our ALL VOLUNTEER SERVICE, should be tax-exempt retirement pay.
I’m a retired, disabled veteran, and I’m not working but I’m still trying to figure out why I’m paying taxes on my retirement. I’m still trying to catch up from 2017 paying taxes. It’s enough to make you wonder what we were fighting for. And then I look at how people can come here from other countries and have their whole families get taken care of. Get loans, jobs, businesses, medical care, etc. .
Amen to that. It seems as though the American dream is ONLY for immigrants and illegals not for Patriots or citizens. We are stuck paying for THEM with our taxes.
EXACTLY! What in the world did we fight for? We’re treated like red-headed step kids compared to the illegals. I am ashamed of what our country and done to us. they have literally turned their backs on us AFTER we served their purpose. Military appreciation my behind!
That is why you vote for Veterans!!!
I beg to differ the army has taken exceptional care of me after I was wounded serving our country I got a va loan have a BUETIFUL home and excellent va benefits God is great and so is the VA
This country has received my best already, I am 100% disabled and part of what I should receive for my service is 100% freedom from taxes.
As a Marine vet that served in the 70s I don’t think any service member should EVER have to pay taxes. Weather your active or retired we’ve put up with to much b.s. So many multiple deployments and the administration hides secondary injuries like hearing loss and lungs damaged. I’m a Vietnam era marine I’ve seen no combat but I’m a Camp Lejune Marine.
NO TAXES….
we paid taxes the first time when we paid taxes when we got paid and paid ss also back in the 1960 you had to pay . so no we should not have to pay any more
I believe that as a retired veteran soldier and served my country and dedicated 30 years of service I deserved to be exempt for any taxes from my military and ss
pay an so every soldier that have served for our freedom sacrificing our families.
Edwin Cruz
personally, i don think any pension should be taxed, you worked hard to these, let retirees enjoy life a little, go after the under 62 group for your taxes, if everyone worked and payed taxes, including the rich, this country would be better off
WI doesn’t tax military retirement pay if you entered into service in the sty
Well if their asking this question it means we’re going to have to give something up. I wonder what that is?
The only problem with taxing the rich more.is they don’t care. Most are part of big business and we don’t gain anything. They just pass their tax loss on to the people who buy their product. To make tax the rich work is to put a stop gap on them and believe it or not it won’t happen. There are too many politician with their fingers in big business pockets.! Let’s call it corruption!
Instead of taxing military retirement, tax the rich if you feel that this countries deficit is the responsibility for those of us that served. For most of those who serve, our mind and body are so severe that we can’t work and taxing my retirement gives me nothing to live on. Most of us have to give to ” survivor benefit pay”, which I’m totally fine with. I live in a state that veterans are taxed when they come home. And a lot of us come back.
Either way, you have to have a congressman and senator that agrees with this measure and will let it go through. I know the idiots my state has, it’ll never happen.
The rich are taxed more than you and I are but I get where you’re coming from. Why should we continue to fund a broken government with their pet projects and pork bills when the military can’t get a decent wage? A tax free retirement would also serve as an incentive, be it a small one, for service members to stay and stick it out for retirement.
that never works, they pass it on to everyone else thru their business dealings, easier if they would just make a 15% tax, to loops holes, everyone pays, got to change tax laws, but in reality that would be easy, if our way too big democrat government, it will never happen
Recently, 5 more states were added to the list of states that do not tax military retirement pay, bringing the total to 26. The remaining states need to follow suit.
The Federal Government should NOT tax military retirement also.
Should not tax we should get a break for all that we gave up in our time serving our country.
i second that; that is why veterans should be asking people running for office if they will support military tax exemptions especially Property taxes!
So far (many years after my departure from active service) I receive nothing from any service wing.
Help!!
I am the wife of a USAF veteran. He has a 20% disability. Granted it isn’t as bad as those who have lost limbs and have brain damage but he served. I think that anyone, male of female, with or without a disability, shouldn’t have to pay taxes on their income, social security, property or school taxes. Most veterans over the age of 55 don’t have children in school anymore. The average person in the United States of America can’t live on Social Security alone. In New York State they give a disabled veteran only $50.00 off their property taxes. That is an insult to all that have served. I don’t know about other states. Our service people signed up to protect our country and freedom no matter what. SOME GAVE ALL, ALL GAVE SOME. Thank you to all our Veterans.
I am a retired veteran of 23 years and 9 months of service. I am also a 30% disabled veteran. I receive $610 a month for my VA disability. Don’t be fooled by this, the VA disability is taken from my Military Retirement pay then paid to me. My true VA benefit is the tax benefit I receive. If I get a 50% disability rating from VA then my benefits would not be taken from my Military Retirement but paid directly to me as a direct Disability Benefit. In late 1999 and early 2000, a bill was passed to eliminate this situation. This bill eliminated the military retirement benefits from being taken to pay VA disability and was to be phased in over 10 years beginning with those members with a 100% VA disability down to a 0% disability. I am not sure why, but this was only implemented down to 50%. As for paying taxes on Military Retired pay, It should all be tax exempt.
I agree 100%. I served in the military. Did not retire but served 6 years. Struggling and paying taxes.. Service men and women should not have to pay taxes. We served our country. The country does not care about us. Many are still hurting financially mentally and physically
I am the lone woman out. Our deficit is destroying us. Instead of carving out income for tax-free, perks, we should tax everything’ the same way: child support, unemployment, social security, capital gains on sale of residence if not reinvested in another home, disability retirement income, employer/third party paid healthcare, municipal bond interest, dividends, capital gains. People who earn money in their sleep have something special that those who earn money working don’t have: TIME. Only those whose household income is below poverty level should not pay tax. We created the deficit by voting (or not voting). Only we can fix it by paying higher taxes on ALL income and reducing spending.
Fritz,
I strongly don’t agree with your statement. We soldiers who have protected this country during “Peace Time” and “Non-Peace Time” have and will continue to fight for “your” freedom. Those who have already laid down their lives as soldiers, retired soldiers and still serving as soldiers in “all” Armed Forces should not have to “pay any taxes” on military retirement pay. We have already “paid” into the system and gone beyond the call of duty, something you might not have done.
You stated: “Only those whose household income is below poverty level should not pay tax”, which I, again, strongly disagree. I wasn’t born nor raised with a “silver spoon” in life but lived way below the “poverty line” as a child and some in adulthood. I didn’t lay around waiting for a handout from the govt but got myself a “small job” and “work” myself up to better job (s). I served in the Army for 33 years and worked for the govt over 32 years. So, I and many others who’ve done their “time and put in the hard work” have “earned” not to pay any more “taxes” than we have already done. Those who are in a “poverty state of mind” need to get out and “work” and I’m talking about “all those who are able bodies and just lazy waiting on handouts from working Americans. Don’t tell me they can’t find a job (there’s plenty) here in our great country. Now, if you want to pay higher taxes, then more power to you and I salute you. Thanks,
Dexter Shell Sr, US Army, SFC (Retired)
I agree sir 100%
I am a 37 year veteran that received nothing from body damage in 3 wars
Great benefit is tax free. Retirement.
Yes great come back remember fire and police pay no taxes on there retirement so !
I’m a veteran, I feel even they are retired they should pay like everyone else!
I totally agree. Many retire from the military and still have to work to meet ends meet. Most are too young to not continue working. That retirement check doesn’t cover much of anything alone.
Fritz
If you want to pay higher taxes go for it! To give to all the illegals coming into our country with their hands out? Free formula cell phones money clothes Social Security status because you can walk across a River?!!!!! My husband served from Vietnam forward.. has agent orange PTSD 6 back surgeries and can barely get out of bed! And can’t get his 30% disability raised to 100%!!! Maybe you were in military as a purchasing agent or cook? He was on the front lines always and this is how our government treats all the people who fought or lost their lives for our freedom?? Congressmen spend millions to get elected for a salary of $400000 FOR LIFE and pay no taxes! Why do all Govt workers get tax free retirement and not military??? I think you need to go way back read more history and study the political process!!
Is it true congressmen don’t pay taxes on a salary they get for life? That is outrageous if true. I was in the Air Force for 20 years. I just voted not to exempt my retired pay from taxes. If what I just wrote is true, I regret my vote. I did it because I know how deep our national debt is.
Marcia, I don’t know where to begin so let’s start here…taxes, higher taxes, and more taxes IS NOT the solution to an out of control deficit. This deficit is controlled only by controlling the out of control politicians that make a damn career out of DC. They receive 6 figure salaries from day one and only have to serve one successful term to be paid for life. So instead of taxes, how about we rein in the pols, we mandate term limits and no life time pay and no more insider trading. When that term is over, they can go to work like the rest of us and hope we have enough to retire on when the time comes. If you have served, then you would know that military pay has been consistently in the range of just above to below the poverty line for decades. No, taxes is not the answer.
Are you serious.
To tax my SSDI and my military disability plus I still have to pay State taxes/Federal taxes on my military retirement income…..I am so tired of being taxed on everything in Virginia already. If you have never served but want social security taxed …bet you would be singing a different tune if you had to pay both State and Federal on your little bit of social security.
Hell,I pay car tax,house tax on top of gas,grocery, etc ,take car and house tax away in CT,we served our country, why should we pay all these taxes??
If you are 100% and live in a State where you are exempt then you don’t have to pay real estate nor personal property taxes if 100% DISABLED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. Am 100% service,connected and all I had to present to my county courthouse ( real estate commissioner) was my Dept of Veteran Affairs award letter and I am exempt from real estate taxes and personal property taxes ( 2021 Subaru Forester, paid off through refi on house in 9 months)!!! Please check into it as it may help.
Ian a retired veteran receiving retirement pay and being taxed. I can’t understand why some states tax our pay and others don’t. Just as easy as it is for politicians to not tax certain state they can do the same for all states. It’s a case of the have and have not. Politicians are the have with the inside track on getting more for themselves and less for the veterans.
Here, here, I agree
Hell,I pay car tax,house tax on top of gas,grocery, etc ,take car and house tax away in CT,we served our country, why should we pay all these taxes??
I paid tax during the time I was in the Military. Why tax me again for that same salary. It’s like we are paying tax on our pay twice.
Gov employees don’t pay races
??????
We paid our taxes by being away from our loved ones and putting our lives in danger. We are different from our civilian counterparts who sleeps on a soft bed embracing their families.
Why do us veterans have a hard time receiving disability we are who suffering the pains doing war times and peace times when we get hurt.
While most of the ones who decide ours disability in the office have not serve or don’t have clue how we feel and what we went through.
So true Believe it are not some parts of NC does nothing for the Veterans..We tried to get a van to transport Veta to their appointments, no help from the county.
Why should us veterans have a hard time getting disability we are the ones who have fight for our country and suffer the pains and bruises in war times and peace times as well . And the ones who decide our disability may have not seen war and don’t have clue how we feel .
I’m with you on this. The panel making decisions on our lives are more interested in trying to find us doing something we can’t, that the Government hires private detectives to watch our homes and us for weeks, months and years if they seem fit. Meanwhile all the money 💰 there paid to find a reason to deny benefits have some of these guys crossing boundaries. Like for instance, how many have come out of your homes to find a flat tire in your driveway? That’s one tactic used on myself and my best friend. He sat down to change his tire and everything was videos and played at a hearing.
I don’t think income reported via a 1099-R, regardless of it’s source, should be taxed. Retirees have already paid their dues and should not live in fear of the tax collectors. The same goes for property taxes.
YES, OF CFOURSE. We, retirees had already paid our dues.
What is the price to not pay taxes to run our country? I don’t remember anything about dues when I signed up. I thought the honor to serve our country and a sense of pride was pay for your so called dues.
This is exactly right,retirement and SBP should not be taxed,our soldiers have paid their price!!
Amen
Couldn’t agree more
I really wish the State of NC would be as good as Texas is to it’s Veterans, especially disabled Vets.
We moved to NC 5 years ago and I was appalled NC Disabled Vets pay Income tax and property taxes with a small discount on the property taxes. To answer your question, if NC wavers retired Vets before Disabled Vets, you will be in for some real embarrassment. Shame on NC.
I am a Vietnam vet with a agent orange disability. I do not believe ANY VA benefit should be taxed…AND I do not believe the Social Security should be taxed as well. I hear there is a case before the Supreme Court.to give compensation to those who filed a disability claim and received back pay only from the date filed. The Supreme Court is to hear a claim that the disability payment should have started on the day of honorable discharge. I agree with all of these.
You are mistaken disabled veterans do not pay taxes in North Carolina
I retired from the Navy after 4 years in the Army for a combined 24 years. Retired HTC. I live in California now. With our huge state surplus, why can’t the legislator pass a bill exempting retired pay?
Military retirees should not have to pay taxes on their retirement pay. Retirees have served 20 plus years, many gave, and many gave all for this country. If I am not mistaken, military personnel are the only government employees that have to pay taxes on their retirement pay. Why?
If we do veterans pass on taxes…. Why not retired person on social security?
Most, if not all of your social security is NOT taxed.
SS is subject to state and federal income tax. It should not be taxed by either of those entities. I am in favor of relieving military retirees from federal income tax on their military retirement as well.\
Not True. IRS taxes up to 85% of your SS income according to how much excess income you have beyond the threshold, which is not very high!
Yes, Donna; you are mistaken. I am a retired soldier and also retired from Federal Civil Service afterwards..(FERS). It is a small dollar-amount; but it is taxable at my total (Net-adjusted) computed tax rate. Because I am taxed on my Federal retired pay; I am actually paying some small amount of tax to fund my retired pay. That just doesn’t make sense. All that nonsense would disappear if our federal income tax was “Flat Rate.” Also not understandable is taxing a portion of Social Security “Benefits”!
I don’t feel that taxes should be required. I served in Vietnam where we lost over 56,000 and what did we get???? I am still wondering. I militarily retired and am still drawing retired pay and pay taxes every year on that income. Some states do not tax military retired pay. How about not taxing military retired pay!!!!
Because we pay enough with gas and food. We should get a break to pay for essentials like healthcare
Lauren, I go through the same thing every year. I have to pay state taxes as well. When I retired, on my W-4 I asked that they take out an additional $50 per month. Nevertheless, they are only taking out the additional amount that I requested. I am not quite understanding how that happened because I worked in Finance for 20+ years. and processed many W-4 forms. However, you and I aren’t the only ones in this predicament. I have talked to other retirees that live in VA too.
With that said, you will need to go into MyPay and fill out the W-4 again.
My husband passed away in his early 40s after serving 22 years in the Navy. He was on board the aircraft carriers in the bays off of Vietnam during the war as a young airman recovering and launching the planes carrying agent orange into Vietnam. He contracted a type of leukemia that is only found in much older men in their 60s and older. While not able to prove it we are certain his exposure to agent orange all those years ago is the reason he got so sick. It took nearly 4 years to convince the military that he was not going to recover from this leukemia and it is what killed him. He was eventually declared 100% disabled about six months before he passed away. I do receive DIC from the VA which is of course tax exempt. But I think that’s the perfect argument for military retirement pay being tax exempt . Why would one be tax exempt and not the other.? If you served your full career in the military and earned a retirement, that pay should be tax exempt just like pay from the VA. The men and women who served their entire lives in the military deserve more consideration and a whole lot more assistance from the country and the government that they served. I see Military people around Fort Sam Houston here in San Antonio all the time who are homeless and cannot afford to live in a house. It saddens me more than I can say. I get so mad when I hear the politicians in DC walking around talking about how patriotic they are and how much they love their country. If any of that was true, they would take action to help veterans instead of just talking about it. How can you claim to be a Christian and so evangelical, but you cannot pass the laws and policies that will help the veterans live the kind of life they deserve?
True, You do not see our government politicians sacrificing. They do not do Shit except get rich and screwing the people!
Lydia; the “Pay” you receive from the VA is “Compensation ” for disabilities resulting from military service. You are fortunate to be his beneficiary. It is one of the many things that the VA does correctly; thanks to congress. Active duty service members are NOW all volunteers. That must be taken into consideration when you see families unable to manage on today’s pay scale.
When I served the was no income taxes taken out of our pay I feel that military pension should not be taxed. Back then we were getting about 300 dollars a month
I have to pay every year here in the State of Virginia since moving back in 2019. DFAS hasn’t responded to taking out any taxes from my retirement pay so I have to save enough to pay bc I never know how much money I have to pay. It’s different every year. I don’t have to pay real estate taxes on my property nor personal property taxes on my car bc of my 100% military disability but still have to pay taxes on my military retirement & SSDI.
Just go into My Pay and do W4 and have them take out the tax based on your exemptions… But I can’t believe they are not taking Federal tax out of your retirement pay… the state you have to decide how much you think is fair for the amount of pay you are getting… DFAS won’t calculate your state tax for you cause each state have different rules…
Lauren, I go through the same thing every year. I have to pay state taxes as well. When I retired, on my W-4 I asked that they take out an additional $50 per month. Nevertheless, they are only taking out the additional amount that I requested. I am not quite understanding how that happened because I worked in Finance for 20+ years. and processed many W-4 forms. However, you and I aren’t the only ones in this predicament. I have talked to other retirees that live in VA too.
With that said, you will need to go into MyPay and fill out the W-4 again.
Yes veterans retirement and disability pay should not be taxed. That’s the only thing that helps us veterans with the cost of living is so high. Especially in California it’s hard enough to get by in this state. I also say with other veterans the ones that served should not be taxed ever. It’s bad enough that the government use us and be use and it’s also hard enough to get disability claims thru V.A. with the hoops that veterans have to go thru just to get a percentage of disability from the V.A.
I served 20 years, 11 days, and 4 hours on active duty. I started as a Private Infantry, attended Warrant Officer Flight school, received a direct commission after my first Combat tour 1968-1969. After 3 years teaching at the primary helicopter school, Ft Wolters, I completed a second Combat tour in Korea, a 3 year tour in Germany, and other command and staff positions. My wife and children supported me through out the twenty years. We moved 18 times in 20 years. We lost money almost every time we moved.
I have been fortunate enough to have a great civilian career in aviation. Unfortunately, I have been unemployed since September 2019. The taxes I pay on my military retirement far out weigh my living expenses. We did not receive retirement increases during the Obama/Biden administration. We did not receive a retirement pay increase this past year during President Biden’s administration.
With inflation skyrocketing, my unemployment it may be impossible for me to continue on my own without my wife of 55 years relying on our children for help. I seldom regret my service to my country, however when I talk to friends who didn’t serve, or served one enlistment and went into business, and other careers, I see them for the most part living far better lives in retirement that my wife and I. My children all worked to achieve their educations, and always wished I could have helped them more. I don’t want my wife or myself to become a burden to our children. I think the least thing the government could do for those of us over 65, and unable to work, or handicapped, especially from service related events would be to give us some tax relief at least, before we all become homeless and on the door step of the VA.
If Illegals get every thing free which they do then all VETS should not pay taxes STOP ILLEGALS and we should all pay
Crazy, right.
Tom,
Stop the hate speech and get your facts straight.
Illegals do NOT get everything free….they pay into Social Security if they work, but they cannot get any of it back when they retire. They also pay taxes on gas, groceries, etc. You need to do your research because you’re just “buying into” more of the big lie you’ve been fed.
I live in California and unfortunately we are not well received in this state and one of the few states where Military Retired Veterans pay state tax. Veterans are not appreciated in California like they once were. I’ve spent my whole military career here 20+ years. It’s really too bad
Yes
Yes, Veteran’s benefits should be taxed “EXEMPT;” for sure!
When my dad served in the military and world war 2 they were not taxed as they were paid tax payers money. Well the same thing goes today, our pay is from federal taxes and we should be exempt as well.
Remember, if it wasn’t for the military, we all be speaking German.
I served two tours in Vietnam and we did not get the same welcoming home, benefits and more for members that have served after the Vietnam era. I retired as an E-7 in the late 80s and with the same rank retiring now makes more retirement. Even if my retirement were tax exempt
Thanks Vicente for your service! I only served one tour at the same resort. All gave some some gave ALL,what did the IRS give? No taxation for any honorably discharged Veteran, no matter the theatre!!
God Bless. Ty for your Service 🙏
Vicente Rodriguez, I enlisted in the Army just as the Vietnam war was ending. I think it’s a shame the way Vietnam veterans were treated. It’s so sad. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.
Yes, Military retirement pay should be tax free. We more than paid our dues with family separation’s, combat tours of duty and low pay until recently. Help k our veterans have a better life.
God Bless. Ty for your Service 🙏
If the United States military particularly in my venue of military the US Navy had tolled my benefits from the date that I was originally injured then I would have no problem with taxes..
However, since I wasn’t given 100% permanent and total until roughly 25 years after my initial injury, No
I should not have to pay taxes for protecting my country.
It”s just not fair for retirement pension to be taxed; As a veteran,we did pay our dues already in serving this country!!!
Why do we have to pay taxes when we paid taxes on our earnings every time we got paid. Our retirement is low when compared to those in a civilian job. It makes it hard to stretch your retirement money for a month without having taxes taken out each time and then at the end of year we file taxes only to possibly have to pay for what we received.
Also, why are benefits for college now lifetime when for those who served in the 70’s 80’s and before were only good for 10 years after we received them. If you are going to give lifetime to those serving now then honor those who served before with the same courtesy.
Disabled Vets don’t pay on the money we get why not Retirees. If you are Rich you don’t pay.
I am a 100% disabled veteran. I am in no way rich.
Why is it that there are 26 states that don’t make retired military pay any state tax’s? I thank that all of the STATES and FEDERAL (IRS) stop taken TAX’S, from our RETIREDMENT MONEY.
The majority of military specialties do not readily translate to comparably related civilian jobs. So, after 20-30 years of military service, a large percentage of veterans are not competitive when in their 40s-50s, especially if their families are facing college or specialty-training for their sons and daughters. The disparity grows the closer the veteran is to 30 years of service. It would be possible to devise a scale that sets benchmarks breaking points in earnings that vary with the total income of the veteran such that less of a veteran’s retirement income is deductible over time as his/her other income increases in retirement.
Army Retired People should pay no
Taxes , they gave so much some never come Home , why should they pay Taxes ?
I don’t think we should have too pay taxes on our pay we defended our Country and sacrificed our Freedom to make our great Nation free. Our forefathers fought and defended our country. And all those whom fought before us made this Country Free. So why would it hurt for us to receive something in return for our sacrifices and our families sacrifices to not to be taxed for our pay. To receive a little bit better pay for what we do. We sacrifices our life’s for our Country and don’t think anything about it and receive very little in return for what we do. We have home less Veterans on the street and Veterans that don’t get medical care because they don’t know how to get the help they need.
I believe all Veterans that received a Honorable discharge should have free Dental care at a VAMC.
After all Dental care is a very BIG part of everyones overall health care.. Ask any Doctor or Dentist and they will agree. Dental care is important to your overall health.
Sincerely
i believe all veterans that have a Honorable discharge should have free Dental care,
We don’t
That I agree ,
To Rodney,
I dont disagree with your thoughts on Dental Treatment. FYI:
All military vets contact your local VA clinic and find out if your Class 1 or 2? I did not understand this until 4-5 months ago.
Class 1 – VA covers medical. Dental and all other stuff
( i believe, double chk) DENTAL IS COVERED.
Class 2 not sure what all is covered but i believe it may be meds and DENTAL?
Class 3 -ask?
Merci Beaucoup,
Cordialment,
DPC Ryan Bertrand, USN – ret.
I am 80 % disabled, served 21 years in the Navy. There is a VA clinic at Mare Island in Vallejo, Ca. where i live. Went there and asked if i could get free dental care and i was told 80% will not cut it, you have to get to 100%!
yes because served and protected our country with low pay, and many years away from our family, many was wounded and get low or no v.a. benefits. some pay the irs great deductions each year.
Military retirees need their income without being taxed. The retirement pay after giving 20 or more years of service too our country is very low compared to years Serviced. Thanks
I agree when I retired from the military I had to work another job I was always able to break even with the irs. Now I owe so much I can’t pay. My disability want let me keep a job. Now the pay I get is being Garnish by the irs
Sooooo U N R E A L !!! I’m very sorry… NOT. FAIR‼️‼️. We’ve gotta. FIX THIS !
I am not a retiree but I do have a disability and I don’t think anyone that served should be taxed on anything….just saying