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Poll: Should Military Retirement Pay Be EXEMPT from Taxes?

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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.

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Comments

  1. Vincent Gordon says

    Military pay should not be taxed. Although our choice, to earn a military retirement, comes with many sacrifices with family, health, and commitments. The military pay system is low is low in comparison to many civilian counterparts. At minimum, there should be a scale for non-tax based on the amount of your retirement – so if you earn less you are taxed less. This might also help provide a new incentive for recruitment.

  2. Robert Peterson says

    During my time in the Air Force (1971-1993) military pay was barely enough to live on. Why pay our military such a paltry amount and then tax it? That’s idiotic. Just pay the military what they deserve (that amount should be determined annually) and forget about the income tax. Getting to the retired pay, we need to live on our retirement pay. Again, why tax the amount we need to live on? That makes no sense to reduce the funds we’ve been given to live on to pay more taxes. Also, the same should be applied to Social Security for retirees. It’s not like we are rich, we need the money as we have no other income. Don’t penalize military retirement pay and their Social Security pay, that should be just compensation for what we and our families have given up in order to protect the nation by signing our contracts with our lives.

    • Ida Byrd says

      You are so right! Robert.
      You’re already taxed on social security while working now they tax when you retire. So sad.😞 you’re taxed on your home, food and clothing. How can one live! If the money you’ve earned for retirement is taxed on. Isn’t the whole reason for them deducting a pay check is for when you’re no longer working😩

  4. Richard Irvin Miller says

    All soldiers put their life on the line for Our Country. Leave our Families and Defend our Freedoms. To serve and make it to retirement is a blessing first then an Achievement as much a service to our Country. It should be understood and changed the our retirement should not be taxed and soldiers given the award of life reward by our government.

      • Don Cramer says

        All I can say is when you deploy your check is tax free. Why can’t your retirement be the same.

    • Chris Olson says

      When I joined the military not only were you entitled to retirement after 20 years part of the retirement plan was we were also supposed to have medical coverage for life. Look what happened to that. Now we have to pay for that too.
      Yes, stop taxing us retirees!!!!

    • MCPO Tony Alston says

      NO!!! Military retirement pay should NOT be taxed in any state! I have been in the Navy for 29 years and will retire next year after 30 years on active duty. I came into the Navy as a 17 year old kid from South Carolina. I am now 47. I gave all the my strongest years of my life to defend the freedom and democracy of this country. After 11 deployments, stationed all over the world, seen a few fatalities, missed family events, missed birthdays, missed anniversaries, missed funerals of loved ones and a score of horrors that I have seen while on active duty seems to me that myself and countless others have earned the right for our retirement to not be taxed. All retireees carry burdens and life altering events with them that they can’t wipe from their memory. The best thing our country can do for us is to not tax retirement pay. That is a HUGE “Thanks for your service” to all of us that sacrifice so much for the country.

      • Kai says

        I served 27 years in Army Infantry as a 1SG. I’m still amazed the fact I made it thus far with facing several situations on deployments of not coming back to my family. My body and mind are broken down. There are days I can’t do what I used to. I’m 47 years old feeling like I’m almost 70. So, don’t tax military retirees who gave the ultimate sacrifice to include combat medically retirees.

  5. Miles Walston Jr. says

    I strongly agree with (David White), 100%, stop taxing our military pension. We can start from the top at the white house. Let’s cut and reduces their salary and see how they feel. There are so many veterans out there that deserve disability. So, let’s start taking care of our homeless and disable Veterans. Then maybe the others can get a pay increase.

    • Richard Irvin Miller says

      I concur 100% and will agree and sign whatever it take to get this measure passed to move forward

      LTC (ret) Richard Irvin Miller

  6. Gary Baker says

    Military pay and Social Security benefits SHOULD NOT be taxed by State or Federal government. Military pay should not be part of any divorce settlement. Social Security benefits should only be paid to a spouse that is married to a recipient of benefits at the time of their death NOT every spouse that was married to the recipient for ten years or more. The SSA system is going broke because of these laws that provide too many benefits to people who really shouldn’t be getting ex spouse benefits.

    • Iggy says

      Yes and no. Pay grades for E6 and below should not pay taxes, while E7 and above should pay a certain amount. Officers should pay more; their retirement is a lot more than enlisted.

  7. Roberta Ellis says

    Wifes of miliitary veterns such as myself should receive a retirement amount like half of veterns amount for her service to military. I ironed his bdu’s. I packed his A AND B BAGS AND is ruck sack. I made sure he had his ranks and patches were on. Mad sure he had his flack vest….lol was very usefull at home.. lol and of course he had his LDE.

    • Ronald J Breen says

      ALL government retirement pay should be exempt from taxes. Social Security was for DECADES … until (then) Senator Joseph Biden (yep, that one) introduced and got passed legislation to TAX SS recipients. Of course, as a Senator and now resident, he will never have to pay taxes on his retirement income.
      Biden OUT. Democrats OUT.

      • Eric William Schaberg says

        I think your wrong about Biden not paying taxes, He has shown the last 30 years of his tax for the last election as well this election.
        But here what should get you thinking this is on the $160,000 cap.

        The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax is $160,200 in 2023. Earnings above the tax cap aren’t taxed by Social Security or used to calculate retirement benefits. Workers who earn more than $160,200 in 2023 will notice a bump in their paychecks when Social Security taxes stop being withheld.

        Dana Ronald, chief executive officer of the Tax Crisis Institute, notes that the thresholds for this change each year, so pay attention.

        The Social Security taxable maximum is adjusted for inflation each year. For example, the tax cap was $142,800 in 2021, $51,300 in 1990 and just $3,000 in 1950 and earlier.

        Then you have crooks like Trump, who cheats on his taxes and hides money in offshore accounts, and swindle small mom & pop companies out of money owed to them

        • Lydia says

          Excellent reply. It’s sad that this has not reached the majority. Do they realize how they will eventually be in the category they want to strike out of our country. Taxes for us hits well below the belt, however the well to do would not effect them so hard.
          All we can do at this point in time is vote. Prayers wouldn’t hurt either.

        • Lydia says

          All mitary personnel shouldn’t be taxed. They give up a big part of their lives for all of us. We should take care of them.for the rest of their lives.

        • Joe jr says

          You dont know what you talking about Biden was the senator that pushed it through . Trump was no where in politics but Sleepy Joe . The man with early Alzheimer was there but of course he don’t even know who you are or anyone else . . I lost relatives to alzheimer and Joe is perfect example of it , we need to vote some younger people in office . The military says you retire at 60 due to you not sharp enough mentally to make wise decision. We need to eliminate that old folks home called White House and get some young blood in there .

        • Phyllis J says

          The Dictator (Trump) on day one has already said and made it very clear that he will take of the rich and forget the rest of us. Wiping out our freedom to vote and make decisions about our bodies, minds and money!
          I voted yes to tax our retirement.. taxes pay for our fire department , police departments, roads, schools, air traffic controllers and the military salaries. So without taxes we would become a third world country. So.. I don’t mind paying my fair share.. just like Biden.. who like every other President before Trump did not mind showing the public how much in taxes they paid. Do you want our way of life to disappear.. stop paying taxes and vote for Trump… if not .. pay your taxes and save our Democracy.. Vote for the Democrats!

          • Jake says

            Please show me where EXACTLY, Trump has said he will take away our right to vote, destroy our minds, and bodies?

            Income tax was put into place to pay for the Civil war, before then our government met all fiscal needs thru tariffs on good entering our lands. Hence the founding of the Coast Guard to stop smuggling.

          • Nelson says

            You got to be out of your mind to vote Democrats, look what’s happening to the US in these past 3.5 years, are you for real 🧐

          • Phyllis J says

            Trump is the Anti-Christ and a convicted criminal. Last time .. I heard … the law says a convicted criminal cannot run for office.. or vote. He cannot vote for himself.. so why should. I. He said he would be a Dictator Day One .. that means total control.
            Already took away a Women’s Right to Choose.. And so we have to have babies to suffer after being violated or raped and babies the RNC wants to cancel social programs to take care of them. Democrat 4-ever!! Will not vote for a criminal ever.

          • Phyllis J says

            As far as .. the last 3. – 5 years.. my life is better .. have not had COVID again.. Student Loans Debt completely Forgiven .. able to buy a house now without struggling and my retirement and disability pay has increased so I have bought a new car.. no more public transportation for this Veteran. Thank you GOD and Joe.

      • Roman says

        ocial Security benefits began to be taxed in 1984, when President Reagan signed the 1983 Amendments into law in April of that year.

        • Bert Garcia says

          Yes. President Reagan and his “Trickle Down Economics” eliminated tax deductions that helped the retired military folks at tax time. Not only should our retirement pay and social security not be taxed, but as government employees like the politicians in Washington, we should also be included in pay raises every time that they give themselves a pay raise. Let us enjoy in this benefit also.

      • David White says

        No Michael. Wives did NOT serve, they supported. There’s a difference. Say that out loud at a restaurant and they will give you the crazy look.

    • David White says

      Uh, were you forced to marry your husband? Sounds like you have a sense of entitlement. Yes, spouses played a very important role “supporting” their loved ones who are actually serving their country. You knew this before you married him and should’ve understood all that comes with being in the military. Sorry, you supported him, but you did not wear the uniform.

      • Lydia says

        There civilians thatwere side by side with the military wether it be in the States or countries that were at war with other countries. They wore uniforms , they at and slept sleeping along dide of yhr military. I’m not tslkin about contractors either. Contractors made a mnt during the wars the supported the military. They were tax exempt. They were paid per dium yet they ate in mess halls and didn’t have to sleep on the ground, on a cot didn’t have to eat MREs. Military (DoD) civilians did exactly what the military. Why can’t we take care of military and DoD civilians?

    • Patricia Weis says

      I agree with Roberta Ellis,
      I had the kids to take care of while my husband was TDY etc. We had 4 sons. I also made sure that his uniforms where correctly washed and irons and the patches where on correctly. I also helped Airman that could not afford to pay to get their patches sewn on. and If there was a tear I could patch I would do that for free also. Sometimes I felt lost without my husband being there. I also will not get one penny of my husbands retirement as the person who briefed him along with several others in Germany before retirement did not give them the correct information to leave money for me and our boys. I still will not get any of his retirement if he passes before me and being in my 70’s I cannot work with my health issues. So I don’t know how I will meet the cost of living as well as our house payments. So YES we also need to be taken care of for our service taking care of husbands and keeping the Homefront as both Mother and Father..

    • Susan Bradeen says

      Agreed. I did the same for 31 plus years. Plus I was a Family Readiness Group volunteer for many years. I went to conferences and had to get a baby sitter for my 5 daughters.

    • Sue Dishell says

      No, you should NOT. If that’s true, then each child who lived through it should, too. They were there. You may have been home and being a military wife, but you also gained from each thing y-ur sponsor went through. If you and/or your children screwed up, the military member gets in trouble, you don’t. Your housing, food, clothes, etc are covered by the military. Did you also work? Many don’t but expect the military to take care of them. You don’t have to leave for a year, month, week or day to support the mission, nor do you have all the grief, harassment, mental anguish that we who serve (d) do:/did.

    • Msg JWalker says

      I highly agree cause wives had to stay home and work , raise kids and maintain house while we were off in the world of wars . Her stress was much more than ours in combat and expenses for everything as our military ones were never enough to support the necessities she and kids needed . I spent lots of time gone and money even from my wife to do some of the covert ops I was on being Special Forces Green Beret and recruiting to help young men and women build careers and got no pay cause I was helping young new recruits not just filling vacancy like regular recruiters do but all my recruits have made careers and I put 540 recruits in and July 15 I just put another into the Marines for that what he wanted , not what I wanted but I don’t recruit to just fill vacancy but build careers and receive no pay , I am also a state EEOC and work with our Jag Officer all for no pay but to help my men and young people build careers and out if all my recruits . They all still in military never a quitter , but lifers all the way from Sgts to major Generals , ( and the Major General is female , retired on a Friday , walked back in the Hospital to do same Job in charge for medical Staff of Nurses etc in same hospital where she served so many years . Retired but now civilian in same job . Yes women need pay and yes we should not have our retirement pay taxed . As EEOC , you not allowed to asked my age but I have served 37 years then 20 more with no pay but just retirement points and costing me money like getting the new recruit for Marines to MEPs to be told the old hurry up and wait game to bring him back home cause July 15 was his day to leave but as usually the Marines said their computers messed up and he took oath and brought him back home to re report to deploy Sept 15 , again this was my expense but this youn man will get the job he signed for and not just fill a vacancy . I will not let that happen if I have to transfer him the my Special Forces Group and get him same job as the marine put him in for. ,

    • Timothy Johnson says

      I don’t think so that’s part of being a wife. I took care of my uniforms my wife never did anything pertaining to the army you had a lazy husband/Solider. Ythe spouse never deployed or get Shot at. Don’t get being married to a Solider confused as being a Solider

  9. David White says

    I would say stop taxing our military pensions. If these illegals are given everything under the sun for free (by our tax payers dollars) for doing absolutely nothing AND not paying taxes, why should we pay taxes after serving our country?

    • Ronald J Breen says

      ALL ILLEGALS should be shipped back to where they came from, including their progeny who they came to this country to secure a family “ANCHOR” and be able to sponsor scores more of their family to enter and help suck us dry. Sorry this sounds UGLY, I am P I S S E D ! !

      • David White says

        Agreed 100%. These are the same people that beat up our NYPD and gave America the finger when they were let out of jail without bail. The same people that killed innocent Americans. Yes, the administration is giving us the finger as they allow more and more of these illegals to pour into our country and drain our economy with all the free handouts. This is not how other countries do this. They expect more from these people and if they don’t contribute, they’re deported. And other countries do not want them because they won’t assimilate nor contribute. All entitled.

    • Linda Cerf says

      David I agree with you. My husband was in the Air Force for 20 years an dis 70 % disabled due to hearing difficulties, asthma, hand issues etc. In the beginning he had to pay his own disability out of his military retirement until he was 50% disabled. Disability is not taxed. My huisband also worked for the DOD and did not pay into SS as all the other employees with the DOD did not pay into SS until sometime in the 2000s. My husband said noway and his retirement is much better. I only have social security and is taxed. Talk about double taxtion. Thank you bidden for taxing me twice

  10. David W says

    I would say stop taxing our military pensions. If these illegals are given everything under the sun for free (by our tax payers dollars) for doing absolutely nothing AND not paying taxes, why should we pay taxes after serving our country?

  11. Ronald Miller says

    We paid taxes for our wages while we were serving our Country. I call this double dipping by taxing our retirement pay since they already taxed us.

    • EDWARD JUDIE says

      I agree that this system of taxation is unthinkable. It is designed to keep us at status quo (broke). We pay once already.

  12. Larry Garner says

    Retired pay should not be taxed Military Servicemen make several sacrifices They are often away from their families Not being taxed would give soldiers some relief

    • Carl Branz says

      I agree that the military retirement pay should NOT be taxed. I served 20 years for my country. At retirement I had a wife and 2 sons. I retired as a E-6. Had to have my wife and myself take on full time jobs to make ends meet. When I retired I needed a knee replacement and was told that I had to wait till I was 60 years old for that to happen and for the Va to pay for that I would have to pay out of pocket. It took several years and a lost of lost sleep to get over 50% disability to ensure that it would be replaced. I walked with a limp for almost 21 years with bone on bone in my right knee. The gave me braces that did little to no good helping me. By the time I could get the replacement was told due to the bone on bone rubbing my left knee had to be replaced. But due to other medical problems such as B Cell lymphoma in the from being stationed in Thailand lost a vocal cord and most of the thyroid gland. Was told by the Va that there was no connection to being stationed in Thailand.. that was in 2009 and also had a bad aortic valve and had to have that replaced was told there was no connections to anything that had to do with the military. Seems to me that once you are retired you are basically thrown to the curb and what ever the VA says was like being back in the military and they were your supervisor or Commander!

      • Donna says

        Wow!
        My husband was in the same situation.
        Fortunately, he was able to have bilateral knee replacement from a civilian Doctor because the VA would not do it!
        All the VA would do was give them shots in his knees. The civilian told him that was the worst thing to do was give him shots in his knees, it relieved his pain that allowed him to do more and tear up his knees even worse. He was told chips of bone had to be cleaned out . He described feeling like glass was in his knees .
        My husband gets no disability for his second knee that got worse due to the long wait for knee replacement and relying on that second knee. The doctor told us this but would not write a statement to that fact.
        My husband has also has had pain in his shoulder and neck for many years. Diagnosed with partial torn rotator cuff after 20 years of pain and VA saying they could nothing for partial tear. He now has a total torn cut a fallen bicep and a tear lebrum .
        We had to go out of network and pay thousands of dollars . Rotator is fix but nothing they could do for the others, his muscle is gone. We thought our retirement would be traveling in our RV but he can’t even lift anything heavy .
        The recovery period sucks.
        I have started weight lifting to be able to do thing around the house that I can help with . Who can enjoy traveling when we are paying doctor bill and taxes for rest of our life’s . Not to mention we as a couple are punished for our yearly income.
        No government gave us any tax break / check/ food stamps/ fee lunch/ summer check during COVID!

        No kids in school for almost 25 years and still pay school taxes.

        We now have sell everything we worked hard for and enjoy our back yard. Work part-time to pay taxes.
        Also, beware if you want to appeal any bill Tri care will did pay , you only have 60 days to appeal it . So, look at your EOB once get or you are stuck with bill.
        Most Doctors hospital and surgery facilities are 2-3 months behind sending you your FINAL bill . Your EOB from Tricare will come first. So, don’t delay on calling to get your owed amount over the phone or call Tricare line have your date of Service and print it, take it to billing facility. These hospitals do billing but do not get the amount paid from insurance for several weeks . Which cut your appeal time to -0-/ ZERO, , nothing , nada.
        That’s right you have no leg to stand on!
        You are stuck paying it!

        Sorry for being long winded, I just hopes this helps someone else.
        Many blessings to you all and thank you for your service!

        • John+T+Mooney says

          I think you misunderstand the school tax. Everyone benefits from having an educated society, even people who have no kids. Face it, you live in a society that benefits from having educated people. –Like doctors and scientists and even educated carpenters and cashiers. We all benefit from it, just like we benefit from having that sewer pipe installed correctly, right? We all benefit from that school, even if we never have kids.

      • Donna says

        Carl,
        You and my husband are so much alike with health issues, he had open heart surgery that did not allow him to retire on time . He joined the military and after 21 years he passed out , complained of shortness of breath while running with his troops.
        He complained of chest pain.. he had a left heart Cath. To find out he had no blockage.
        I do echocardiogram so had him come to our docs and found a hole in his heart ASD. ( as big as a nickel)
        His right side was enlarged this means the pressure change . (Eisemanger ) . He has had this for a long time!
        There is no fixing the enlargement that is permanent.
        They should have done a RIGHT side Cath when they revealed the wedge pressure was not normal. After they missed this on his original physical and not to mention several physicals after that!
        He was told it was NOt service related.
        Due to all of the basic trading, exercising, sports, running, workouts. Which is more activity than the civilian person. The result is not service related.
        But our friend has sleep apnea. And he is 100%
        My husband’s sleep apnea is 0%.
        Not sure how thing work but we all are stronger people now.

    • Joseph Cleary says

      No Taxaction on military! Also remember the medical care that the recruiters said we would get? I qualify/have “TriCare forLife” If you have Medicare and Medicare wont pay for something, either wil TFL!

      • Donna says

        Appeal it!
        Make sure your provider takes tri care.
        Medicare should pick up the rest .
        Most of the time the computer automatically will no pay unless you appeal it!
        But you have to do it in the allotted time.

      • Wild Bill says

        It’s typical of a socialist government to make everyone pay for I things for the benefit of the people. That doesn’t mean the people in charge, because they are funded by lobbyists and big business. However there are more middle class and lower class people to draw from that can fund their pet projects. Therefore, they tax the military because they make up a large portion of the middle class, which would cost them some of their pet projects. Well I think that would should make them work in the military before they run for office, and see first hand what the military has done for them and their loved ones. Then they could understand what we have done for them and keeping the promise s made upon enlisting in the military. I don’t think they would make it in a combat mission.

      • Steven Crabtree says

        Yes they lied like a dog when they said you will get free healthcare then all of a sudden without telling me before I retired when I went to see the doctor 6 months after I retired that I was not in there system! I said WTF I served 20 years and now you say I’m not covered! They said I need tricare prime which I went to sign up and I had to pay a premium to get covered that was screw me number 1 then when I turned 65 they said you have to have medicare part B in order for tricare for life to kick in that was screw me number 2 medicare part B is a total joke! Oh and the scum ass illegal criminals coming here illegally get it for free! Time to divide America and have red states support the real people and let the blue states have there illegals!

      • John Shepherd, Jr says

        You will need to contact TFL to find out if they cover it. My wife & I have Medicare and they would not pay for one of the medicines that goes into her pump. We thought that both Medicare & TFL did this. Contacted TFL and they covered the medicine that Medicare decided not to cover.

    • Lorne Braden says

      I agree, military soldiers and their families make sacrifices during the Soldier’s career and once we retire we only get a certain percentage of our base pay. So Yes, Retirees should not pay taxes on their pay.

    • Eric says

      In on disability through the VA. All the income I get from VA is all non-taxable.. the retired veterans income should be the same.

  13. RUBEN JAUREGUI says

    Military pay should not be taxed. If you are 100% disabled you should have choice to work or not. But then, if you can not work or chose not to work, you should be able to draw full SS benefits without taxes.

    • Janet Davis says

      When you are awarded 100% disability through the VA, you can and most likely will get SSDI which is the non taxable income. You can draw your military retirement, 100% VA disability AND SSDI social security disability insurance, yes all 3 at the same time. Contact a social security lawyer in your state to help you apply for SSDI.

    • H Scott says

      Amen! Military retirement should not be taxed. All that we have sacrificed so the upper level income individuals can keep their money. We should have better quality of live after the mental and physical trials the military service has put us through. And No taxation of retirement income would help. After all a lot of our aches and pains come from yrs of military service.

    • John+T+Mooney says

      If you are at 100%, your VA is tax free, and if you don’t work, you don’t pay tax on the social security, either. VA gives me $3738 a month and Social Security gives me $1794 a month and it’s tax-free. If you live in certain states, you don’t pay property tax, either. In fact, as a disabled vet, my car tags are only $10 a year. If you are being taxed too much, look around. Some states don’t even have state income tax, and many have great deals for vets. And if you don’t work, your SS will be tax-free. Even if you DO work, it will probably still be tax-free.

  14. Gary E Thompson says

    I agree with a lot of the comments on here! I myself served 31 years with the USAF. With all of my Temporary duty time and deployments, I was away from my family more times than I can count!! Missed birthdays, holidays, etc. I believe the sacrifices we all have made deserves respect from our government by not taxing our retired pay. They don’t tax our VA disability payments, why should our retirement pay be any different? Also, if you make more than $25,000 in retirement pay, which I assume most military retirees do, they the tax your Social Security benefits as well when your eligible to collect, up to 85%, thanks to President Bill Clinton!!

    • Donna says

      I will be looking into this!
      I hope we are an exception Gary!
      MilitaryRetirement pay
      401k
      Thrift plan
      SEP account
      Roth IRA
      Traditional IRA
      TRS
      Pension
      Once we retirement
      Is well over 25, 000 between the both of us.
      And we have both paid into SS
      You are telling me they will take 85%
      I am on the floor right now.
      Sound like We need to pull it all at 59 1/2 years old!
      Put it in our GUN SAFES under our beds.
      Then file for tor SS at 62 y/o
      Most people live off SS .
      I am shock we sacrificed all of our working years to save for retirement!
      😳

  15. Bill Springston (retired Naval Aviator and Mustang} says

    Let me get this straight…I volunteered to serve in the United States Military. In doing so I agreed to pay whatever price was demanded of me; from separation from my family to fight in a strange country to missing important events such as birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, graduations you name it, in twenty two and one half years I was away from home more than half of that time; for what, a check that wasn’t even close to my peers who graduated college and chose not to serve. I put my life on the line for this country and never once regretted it. My family suffered during my absences. I paid a very dear price for that service. I have been and will continue to be in pain for the rest of my life with little to no compensation for that pain. I am suffering a hearing loss that has cost me dearly. The VA has no compassion for the suffering, they say that there is no connection between my permanent injury or my loss of hearing. Now on top of that they want to tax my retirement, That is obscene but, I do it anyway because I was raised to obey the laws of this country. We are a Gold Star family and suffer from that loss.

    • Steven Amaral says

      I’m sorry for your loss. I am very familiar with what you describe about your injuries not being service connected. 20 yrs army aviation severe hearing loss foot which they gave me a hearing aid but no compensation, constant medical documentation for back injury and treatment and several other issues for which they said 40 percent when I retired in 1999. I was just upgraded to 90 percent this month DEC 2023. This is just non taxable retirement not disability pay. The cut off was determined to be the year 2000. I spent my last 5 yrs separated from my family serving.

  16. Bill Witherow says

    My father was Airborne (101st Airborne Division ) and served in the Army in WWII and the Korean War.
    He was awarded the Silver Star and is buried in a national cemetary in my hometown in VA.
    I think it would be blasphemous to even think about taxing him and other vets on anything. Come on people let’s rally around the pole and thank our vets and families for their service and treat them as heroes .

  17. Andy says

    Absolutely no taxes for Honorably Discharged Veterans and especially if Disabled. I’m 100% and pretty sure I earned the right to be exempt from being taxed. Especially since I put in over 30 years in our government.

  18. TIMOTHY STALLINGS says

    From a retired private to a full bird colonel NO tax, but generals tax above colonel’s pay. We got too many generals!

  19. Charles E. "Chuck" Peterman says

    Served 25 years in the U.S. Navy. All of us stuck our necks out and would willingly die for our Country. I think it would be appropriate for a tax exemption for ALL who either served for 20 plus years and/or those who are disabled due to their Service. This also should be afforded ALL Law Enforcement and first responders (Firefighters/EMS/EMT’s). Instead of giving away Billions to people who hate us like the Iranians, help out the above Americans who served their citizens.

  20. David "Bull" Rozell says

    Served our great country for 28 years. I currently work a 40 hour/week job. I’m taxed !/3 of my pay, which basically means I work for the government 4 months out of the year. My taxed retirement check adds another 1 1/2-2 months pay going to government. That’s 5 1/2-6 months pay going to the fiscal responsible government. Not being woke, but 12 months of work for 6 months pay; where is the fair share!!!!!! Not taxing military retirement, which pertains to about 1% of the population, isn’t a lot to ask!!!!!

  21. Roy Rich says

    It would be great if our retirement pay was not taxed. We earned that right, 20 years 13 days

    • Robert Hermsen says

      Military Retirement Pay SHOULD NOT be taxed Like so many, no wait, like all military members we were expected to do things, for this country that those who choose not to serve did not want to do. All Retirees gave up 20-plus years of their lives to protect and defend this nation for less than minimum wages. As our counterparts in the civilian world made the big money, we survived on very little monthly. So I believe now that we have retired, and only receive half of what we were making, that pay should be taxed free to make up for all the lost wages we were never paid to stay above the poverty level. Pay to help make up for all the times we were separated from our families, and missed birthdays and holidays. being on call 24/7/365. It would at least be a small part to say thank you for our sacrifice to this nation. As I sit here and think of all the money and retirement those in Washington get for 4-6 years of public service, having everybody cater to them makes my blood boil. I am sure the military retirees have a better handle on what this country needs to get back on our feet, instead of lining their pockets to become a millionaire. LEAVE OUR RETIREMENT CHECKS ALONE AND DON’T TAX THEM.

      • Donna says

        Well said, and if you joined right out of high school voluntarily. Some may have a second retirement . Those are the ones who are really punished. We vote no taxes on military pay.
        With all respect
        Servicemen and women have sacrificed so much for our country.

    • Donnie G says

      Yes, military pay should be exempt. The government gives us a $50 raise and the next minute they are taking $40 of the raise in taxes. Even when it looks like they are helping us.. Note; $50 raise; $40 more taxes and then they raise the price of food, gas and medicine. Show me how that is fair.,

  22. Charles H. Pulsford says

    Yes Absolutely we Followed Orders , we carried out what we were told to do. And we would have Died for Our Country, We all signed a blank Check up to and including Our Life……to Keep Our America Free……so that Money that we get should be TAX FREE……..

  23. Roger J Brower says

    HERE’S WHAT ALL AMERICANS NEED TO THINK ABOUT!!!! WHEN A PERSON ENTERS THE MILITARY WE SIGN OUR LIFE OVER TO DEFENDING THIS GREAT COUNTRY ,WE IN TURN FORFEIT OUR LIVES TO GIVE FREEDOM TO ANY PERSON THAT DOES NOT WISH TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS , LIBERTIES, LIVES OF THEIR FAMILIES AND LIVED ONES– NO WE THE VOLUNTEERS DO THAT WE OFFER OUR LIVES TO DEFEND THEIRS–OUR RETIREMENT PAY SHOULD NOT BE TAXED AS A THANK YOU FOR GIVING OUR LIVES TO DEFEND THEIRS–OUR BENEFITS SHOULD BE TOTALLY FREE NO MATTER WHAT WE NEED– BECAUSE WHILE SOME OF US GAVE SOME, SOME OF US GAVE ALL

  24. Le Borne says

    Retired military pay MUST NOT be taxed. Most of the benefits I was promised were not honored and taken away. YES – Retires military pay should NOT be taxed. Less talk on this issue and act on it immediately.

    • DONALD N. CARTER says

      I feel after being separated, dislocated, and put in harms way and under paid. We the military deserve something. The people that are against that need to serve in though environments as we did for as long for them to truly relate.

    • Diane Gibson says

      As a Vietnam Veteran’s wife I personally think retirement pay SHOULD NOT be taxed. Vietnam (and any other war) is very hard on everyone involved and the pay sure didn’t cover the 24/7 they served for years on end. Even after the war my husband had to work 2 jobs to have groceries because the pay was so low. The least they can do is make retirement pay tax exempt.

    • Kenneth Stout says

      I feel that when I was in the ARMY we payed in for are retirement and every payday we got a taxes every payday for DaMani years that we have done so now uncle sugar still has his hands in my pocket is that right? We’re double tax’s

  25. Lloyd Estes says

    I am retired Air Force and earned every bit of my retirement after 22 years. I am also 90% service connected most of which I received due to my service in Vietnam. When you devote that much time and effort to the military, not knowing from one day to the next where you will be or what you may be task to do, you have earned every dollar with every second you serve.

  26. Dr. Keith Pratt says

    I am a handicapped Vietnam Veteran that paid taxes wile I was in the service and have also paid taxes on any job I held outside after I retired as a SMSgt. I went through a lot of Crap in the Air Force and earned the right for my Retirement to be free of taxes.
    Keith Pratt

    • Phillip Hill says

      I am a USAF Retiree. I have been taxed on every active duty paycheck and every retirement paycheck plus 2 civilian job paychecks. 42 years of work. The only income that I receive that is not taxed is a 10 percent VA stipend. I am sure that I will be taxed on Medicare next year also. Washington DC officials must get their retirement money from me! God Bless America!

  30. Bert says

    I wouldike to see a free lifetime hunting and lifetime fishing license nation wide for disabled Vets 80% or higher and for Retirees..

      • The airborne scout says

        That is way to much to ask for! In this country you mean nothing,the thugs/criminals and illegals are more important than a disabled veteran who risked everything and served!

        • Donna says

          Although, you may have a valid point….
          Stay positive
          And thank you for your service!

          My hopes is those they bring back the draft and go back to an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth !
          And with out a shadow of a doubt
          Of course.
          But thing seem to be getting worse in places.

    • Janet Davis says

      Depends on your state. Each state gives Veterans different benefits and some states give nothing. Here in Georgia residents 65 and older can obtain a free Senior Lifetime Sportsman’s hunting and fishing license. Also, for the 2023 tax year, veterans with a 100 percent disability rating or unemployable status can exempt up to $109,986 from their property’s value. Ad Valorem Tax on Vehicles

      The exemption is granted on ONLY one vehicle the veteran owns and upon which the free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is attached. Veterans who qualify for the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor specialty license plates are also exempt.

  31. Arthur Michel Jr says

    As Retired Pay goes, anyone who has served in a military uniform should be exempt from taxes, This should include state taxes of various types such as the annual vehicle /property tax. If we are charged and pay property tax(es) at the purchase point, why be charged again every year based on property value ..again?

      • The airborne scout says

        You are correct sir,however,someone has got to pay for the 30 million illegals Biden has allowed into our country that we defended and served! How would the illegals be able to stay in those $500 a night motel rooms and enjoy their 3 catered meals per day without our tax dollars? We served and risked everything for the illegals!!

  32. Shane F. Boyer says

    Like many Americans already, do the research, file the forms, and stop volunteering to pay taxes. Read Blacks law Editions 1 thru 6. There is NO Law saying you must pay taxes and the proper forms to the IRS are there to use to stop property tax, income tax, and sales tax. Enough said! You have to be brave enough to learn the truth.

  33. Francisco C Badillo Sr. says

    Elected members of Congress when they retire should be placed on Social Security and taxed like the rest of us. They would not “borrow” so much from the fund and not pay it back,

    • Daniel Blanchard says

      Amen Sister!! Also to support your views I’d like to add: Why is it that U S Government salaries (Senators) pay completely different and benefits different than any other pay scale when they are suppose to be SERVING our REpublic? I worked hard to be a Retired Marine and I didn’t get the privilige of becoming a millionaire because I’m a congressman and get inside trader info. CORRUPTION sounds more like it. 1stSgt Marines. REtire.

      • Brian says

        I looked at various definitions of the word “Income”. Each noted various sources of monetary gain. However, retirement pension was not included in any definition. My point is, we pay income tax. “Pension” is not included in the definition of “Income”. Veterans should be exempt from paying income tax.

    • Felix says

      Agree! They should be placed on Social Security and. forced into Medicare. If not we should all be exempt from paying federal taxes from our retirement pay.

  34. Boca says

    Why retired Military?

    What about folks that served but got out before retirement? What makes your service any better than my time served? How about no taxes for ANYONE that’s served?

    If anything,…….how about no property taxes for any x military member regardless of time served, as long as you got out with an honorable discharge.

    • Robert Hilliard says

      We’ll, if you aren’t retired, you are not getting retirement pay – so this doesn’t apply to you. You aren’t paying tax on retired pay anyway.

    • Donna says

      Retired military get a check retired military get a % off property taxes .
      100% disable vets pay NO property taxes.

      Those who RETIRED after 20 years or more I vote should no be taxed..

      Your service time is no different than other servicemen.
      Your years of sacrifices are very different.
      Unless your years of service have you still sacrificing today and you receive a
      100 % disability.
      You are probably receiving a no taxed disability check and are qualified for for those benefits if not ,
      You can only ask about what you may qualify for . It would be worth the call. There are new changes all of the time.

  35. Francisco C Badillo Sr. says

    Retired elected government officials should be placed on Social Security and taxed. They would not “borrow” so much from it either and never pay it back.

    • Robert Hilliard says

      You’d have to put them on SS while they were working – not after – so they could pay into the system.

    • John Stuczynski says

      Agree 100% I also understand that when a congress person or senator retires, they get to keep all left over campaign money tax free. That should not be allowed. A couple of years age, some senator retired and he got 15 million in his campaign warchest and got to keep every penny of it tax free. That is just wrong.

  36. Nonya says

    If your retired it shouldn’t be taxed. Pur government tax enough of or money. I’m med retired at 100% not allowed to work so I live paycheck to paycheck

    • Felicia Smith says

      In accordance to IRS publication 525 pages 18,19 you are exempt federal taxes because you were medically retired. You can also complete a 1040X with the assistance of the IRS and request federal taxes paid back for up to 3 years. To be exempt from paying federal taxes due to being 100% medically retired you must submit the following to DFAS:
      -copy of DD214 (reflecting medical retirement)
      -pages 18 & 19 of IRS publication 525 for current or previous year
      – updated W4; complete step 1, write ‘EXEMPT’ on the W4 in step 4 under letter (c). Sign and date in step 6.
      – VA Disability Letter
      – complete a memo with the following information. Do not change verbiage.

      Defense Finance and
      Accounting Service
      U.S. Military Retired Pay
      8899 E 56th Street
      Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200

      Dear DFAS,

      In accordance with the attached IRS Publication 525, pages 18 and 19 state certain military and government disability pensions are not taxable. I am requesting to have my Distribution Code for my military retirement changed from Distribution Code 7, which indicates Normal Distribution, to Distribution Code 3, which indicates Disability. Update DFAS to reflect my status of 100% Permanent and Total Veteran Disability resulting in me not paying taxes on my military retirement pay. Proof of my 100% Veteran Disability is attached.

      Thanks for your prompt assistance in this matter.

      Name:
      SSN:
      Address:
      Phone:
      Email:

  38. James E. Spates says

    If taxes are essential and they are, I would recommend that E-8’s and above be taxe as lightly as possible. I reluctently say this because most of the retired force may not be able to work or hold a job depending on the health status.
    Furthermore, it’s bad enough for us with the pay gap, inflation and cost of living just to mention a few. So if a soldier did a great service for his country, at the least a tax break would not be a bad start in rewarding a vet for his or her efforts.

  40. Emmett Perry says

    E.perry state ,social security and federal taxes should be exempt I’m 75 and I’ve paid into state s.s and federal all my life retired military as well.

  41. Wallace Orville Watson says

    I need cateracs removed because at 87 years old my eye sight is failing. I can’t afford the operation. After 27 years of service on active duty I would think try care would at least help to pay for this.

  42. Linda Saffore says

    I don’t mind being taxed. When I filed my taxes for 2022, I got a refund. Preparer said I got a refund because I am taxed.

    • Rodolfo Campano says

      Your refund was your money in the first place. They (Your company) just withheld it from you. So you will not be burdened with any extra money for your taxes.

    • Sam Jacobs says

      Everyone who served our country signed a blank check that said I will everything to my country up to and including my life. That alone should have paid for future taxes

    • Floyd says

      Linda: Rodolfo is right my Dear, the only reason you got a refund is because they took the money out of your check from the get go. Wouldn’t you rather have had your money now than to have it given back to you by the government later. I know that I do/just saying”””””””””””””””””””””

    • Kathleen Mueller says

      That’s is money that should have been available to you all year long. They’re not giving you anything, that’s your money.

  43. James T OConnor says

    Military retirement should not be taxed. But, the government would rather tax us and use our money to give welfare, and food stamps to al the illegal immigrants crossing into this country 24 hours a day, every day.

    • Carol says

      Mr. OConner,
      I truly do feel why you made such a strong . And because we hear it some much being brought up in the news when the topic ( of government come up, Our military pay follows in the same topic).
      What we are doing today might just change that, things shaft when we put god in there, and he uses man to accomplish the mission to make things right! If I may, god said let there be laws in the land and us should abide by those laws.
      What I am saying, this shift could and would if we believe, things happen in numbers so what we are doing today that shift would happen,
      Keep the faith
      Carol

    • Art Miller says

      You are correct. We paid our part. How many Americans and some foreign nationals are willing to be taken out in some God awful place or take someone out who we never met.

    • Holly says

      You got that right! It wasn’t like this when Trump was our president. Praying for a successful 2024 for Trump!

  44. Clinton W Price says

    Military retirement pay should be exempt from both state and federal taxes most States do exempt Military retirement pay but the Federal tax is not exempt Military Retirement Pay should be tax exempt

  45. Nick says

    I think the military should be tax free. You’re being taxed to pay yourself. If you’re in the reserves they tax your civilian job, then tax drill pay to pay you. It’s a racket and should be illegal but since it’s the government we’ll allow it to happen.

  46. Robert G Beecher says

    Problem is, the Dems and unions – but that is redundent – will scream to high heaven that civilian pay should be treated the same as military pay. Any relief should specify that the relief is a MILITARY benefit and military only.

    • John Stuczynski says

      Military people have laid their lives on the line for the government for their entire career. Always being subject to being called to go ito combat. Now how can you compare that to some union member who is home with a nice sfe job. As for democrats, just that alone says it all. They, the democrats, forget who fights to preserve our country and our way of life.

      • Kenneth W Higginbotham says

        Don’t you think our police, fire and EMS personnel put their lives on the line? I’ve never been any of those but I did retire from the army after serving for 35 years. I think they deserve the same perks we want.

        • Treyc says

          No
          First responders aren’t sacrificing on the same level as. Soldier, uprooted from their families and homes for years at a time, who get paid a minimal salary vs civilian pay. The disruption to our lives cannot be compared.

          • Mike M says

            The pay that you start out in the military is a fraction of what any civil servant receives. after 20 years as an e-6 my pay annually was less than 20,000.00. we do not get overtime when we work at sea for a minimum of 12 hours a day, many cruises in the 12.5 years of sea duty I worked at least 15-18 hours a day!! even in home port we worked 12 on, 12 off or 8 on 8 off, we barely had time to enjoy dinners with family without loss of much needed sleep. Some fatal tragedies occurred. without even being in an active combat zone due the nature of the operation tempo.

        • Mac J says

          They tax your pay when you are on active duty and they tax you again on your retirement . Seems like they are taxing us twice.

    • Gary Wilkerson says

      Yes they should be exempt many State employees are exempt They go home everyday but retired in the have a lot more sometimes we didn’t see family but 30 days out of year

    • Gloria Currie says

      I can guarantee you push back on not taxing military retirement would not be from the Democrats! Republicans don’t want to give lower income working Americans a way overdue pay raise. Republicans always favor the wealthy and thats not veterans!

  47. Belinda Keller-Sousley says

    Not only should there be no taxes we should receive a certain amount of EBT every month automatically if you are on disability or retired without having to fill out forms for a flex card to find out you aren’t eligible. We served our country no questions asked!

    • Katie says

      I agree, in addition when the Veteran dies his surviving spouse is dropped like a hot potato. We are saddled with burial preparation costs, piles of medical bills, and face utility shut off and home foreclosure on a daily basis with no avenue for any help from the US Military that our spouses gave years of their life to..

      • Donna says

        I would look in to this a little closer. Depending on how they passed and the cause.
        Contact deers for what could be awarded to a spouse.

  48. Roderick Thomas says

    we need get all the Congress old people out they never been in war and they make sure they grown children didn’t go cause they know someone up higher they never fair always thinking how they got rich

    • Robert L Thomas says

      Having served or been in War should never be a criterion for serving the peoples of the United States..

    • Patricia Jolly says

      You are absolutely correct. They have been in office for so long they have forgotten who the work for “The People”. Also, unless they have served they don’t have a clue.

  49. Earvin L. Taylor says

    How can congress give themselves a raise every year for doing nothing, with their pay already being 10 times what they should be making, which 90% of them never wore the uniform. While the men and women of the retired military have to struggle, take on second and third jobs, just to make ends meet? Why don’t they vote us a raise for our worth to the country? There are service members whom have given life, limb, eyesight and families for this country while serving the Flag. What has congress given while serving that very same Flag? But the can receive hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. While we (Veterans) struggle to keep a home or food on the table.

    • THOMAS RANKIN says

      I AM SURE THAT MOST VETS, IF NOT ALL, WOULD AGREE WITH THIS. OUR POLITICIANS MAKE TOO WAY MUCH IN THEIR SALARY AND ALWAYS VOTE IN (THEIR) PAY RAISES. THAT ARE GIVEN TO THEM FOREVER , WHICH THEY VOTED IN,THIS IS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE IN OUR COUNTRY.

      • Regina Simmons says

        The government was never supposed to get paid! Yet they make more than anyone I know! And they get full retirement after 2 terms that is 8 years!!!! Just wrong!

    • Beverly Pouvesle says

      I agree totally, all of the old cronies in congress are worthless!! They have forgotten all those that served this country. My husband died for this country and what did he get in return from our government AGENT ORANGE!!!

    • William Ruswsell DeWalt Jr. says

      I agree 100% along with the fact that they get a full retierment after being there for only a couple of years while we have to go for 20 years or longer and they get all the perks to while we get very little.

    • Robert L Thomas says

      I agree congress should not have the right to adjust their own wages, in-fact I feel their wages should be fixed (never change) and I base my opinion on the fact they get perks and kickbacks from constituents of which none of us get or even authorized to get..

    • Carol Haines says

      I completely agree with you. You made a very valid point., there are thousands of Veterans that are struggling..homeless or on the verge of being homeless. And yet what little retirement pay they get is taxed by Federal and in some cases state too.

  50. Charlene Ann Heier says

    They were taxed when they received their regular pay while on Active Duty. Why should they have to be taxed again?

  51. Laura Mckenney says

    We were taxed when we earned our retirement funds , now to be taxed on it again doesn’t make sense.

    • Gregg Lyell says

      As the lady said, taxes were paid when the money was earned. They tax Social Security in many states as well and that should not be allowed but it is.

  52. Bill Backes says

    Military retirement pay should be exempt from both state and federal taxes most States do exempt Military retirement pay but the Federal tax is not exempt Military Retirement Pay should be tax exempt

  53. ScWilliamson says

    Why in earth would anyone deal that taxing military retirement is a good thing? Any retirement for that matter, or social security or disability??? Nothing like being is debt to the mighty government your entire lives?

  54. Rob S says

    I look at Congress and their retirement benefits are outrageous ..!! Military meme era who served honorably till retirement should be exempt from paying taxes again and then again. Bad enough we get a small portion of our base pay to buy a few groceries nowadays….

    • James says

      I checked the wrong answer on the poll tired it should be tax exempt…that’s the right answer…

    • Loren Anderson says

      Not only should their retirement pay NOT be taxed, if they receive any veterans disability there should be NO offset with their retirement.

      • Timothy Haye says

        Absolutely right , we all gave and have a lot , they take and take and then take some more WTF

      • Mike M says

        I had an offset from my retirement for over 10 years until they changed that law!! It was a Non taxed disability or a taxed retirement. When this country was formed Congress was only paid while actively serving their constituents. after they left office, they had to go back home and get a real job! not suck the government dry for being in office and doing a half assed job at best. most of them such as “Brandon” who has been in public office for nearly 5 decades and not once done anything positive for our Nation other than be the most corrupt politician in our history!!

  55. Larry Garner says

    I am a retiree l served my country for twenty one years I agree military members went a step above and beyond to protect our freedom some of my brothers and sisters paid the ultimate price Not being taxed is a small price

      • Ron says

        For a lot of us drawing retirement pay we were in before all the big pay raises so we were getting pennies on the dollar to what they are getting today. After paying taxes at the end of the year it really make you wonder why you stayed in. There is no other job that requires you to be on duty 24 hours a day with out adding lot of dollars to the pay so no our pay should not be taxed and by doing that it is not a benefit but coming in line with the rest of the employees in the federal government

  56. Robert Peterson says

    I’m totally in agreement with everyone here military retirement and social security retirement should not be taxed!

  57. Frank K Feather says

    Agreed, as it stands we are taxed twice for our income, once when we earn it and then a second time when we receive our retirement income. I personally think no retirement income should be taxed. Not to mention we pay a sales tax on our home when we purchase it and then taxed annually on the (most often) increased value of the property. The fact is folks, we are over taxed…..

  58. Barry Sloan says

    The taxation of Military Retired Pay is wrong. The taxation of Social Security because the addition of military retired pay and social security puts one over an arbitrary income ceiling is doubly wrong. We earned the retirement pay and paid into the social security system through taxes on our wages. We paid into the system, and now when we draw out of the fund, the payments are taxed again.

    • William+P+Neurauter says

      I agree both military retired pay and social security pat shouldn’t be taxed

    • USAF+retired says

      My retirement check is not taxed all year, but at the end of the year I pay in about 2100 dollars. VA DISABILITY IS NOT TAXED. Let’s get it right guys. I don’t think our retirement checks or social security should be taxed. I pay taxes from my job payroll.

    • MYRNA COAN says

      OUR MEN AND WOMEN TRAIN HARD TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY!THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TWICE !!!!WE SHOULD PROVIDE MORE FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE WE LIVE FREER THAN MOST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. THEY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED MORE BECAUSE WE ARE FREE BECAUSE OF THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES WE ALL LIVE BETTER LIVES. GOD BLESS EVERY ONE OF THEM. MYRNA

    • Tracey A. Winton says

      I feel that taxing our social security is wrong. Once those of us who have worked for our social security have already been taxed on it.. So taxing us again is not fair or right. People who have been brought here from other countries that have never paid into the system get as much money as we who did, how is that fair to The rest of us?

      • Walter Marshall says

        The amount of your monthly Social Security is predicated on the amount of income you made while contributing to Social Security. Those of us who served made little money while doing so and thus our Soc Sec each month is not very high. Then to reduce that monthly amount by extracting taxes makes retirement financially difficult. Stop taxing those of us that valued our nation by serving and sacrificing.

    • Walter Marshall says

      There is. Stop voting for Democrats. We need people in government who value our country as we military veterans do or at least did until the tax and spend idiots took over. Now they want us to bankroll a war in Ukraine that does not benefit we the American people. Time to toss out the Democrats with the trash.

          • Dennis E Stuber says

            I agree, our military and social security retirement pay should not be taxed. One thing should be clarified: All U.S. presidents DO serve in the military. Their rank is Commander-in-Chief. As for President Trump, he never took a penny of his salary and gave up earning any civilian money while he served as President. I greatly respect and admire him for this.

    • Paul Meyer says

      I, served this country and made a sacrifice, a selfless act of courage, I pledged and took an oath to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic. When you signed on that dotted line that is a testament of fortitude stating that when you swore an oath, that sacrifice has no end date. Taxing a soldier even after an honorable discharge is simply a slap in that soldiers face.

      Best Regards PM.

    • SAM FREEMAN JR says

      I truly beleive that the RETIRED MILITARY PAY shouldn’t be taxed.. First of all the pay isn’t a large amount no matter what your RANK was when you retired., and to taxe what you received is unjust. Look at the people in congress and the SENATE, they received their entire pay after only two years of work and the military MUST stay on ACTIVE DUTY for 20 + years.
      Now after you retire and the money that is given to your wife isn’t taxed anymore. The VETERAN MUST carry the load of paying the taxes on the entire sum that is received..

  61. Norman Lee Parrish says

    CW3
    Nprman Lee
    ParrisH
    5 JAN.23
    VIETNAM
    DESERT SHIELD DESERT FREDOM
    2 TOURS IRAQ

    NO THE RETIRE PAY AND DISABLE SHOULD NOT BE TAXES
    COUNTRY OUT OOF COFROLRUNNING WILD. AND SPENDING MONEY LIKE WATER.
    WILD

  62. Harold BS Bukoski says

    they deduct Tax’s from are military pay, for our retirement Pay and they tax’s our retirement! isn’t this double-taxing us. but congress and the senate get paid for four years of service for the rest of there lives. Before a kid enters any branch of service he should negotiate his/her pay befor he/she join any branch. The Recruiter should till them about BAQ/BAS and any additional pay From DOD Pay Manual for family members. I entered the service becase I came for a family of 7 and my mother was only getting SS. If I can help any one thinking of joining the service I till them about the DODPM-67170

    • ROBERT SHELTON CUNNINGHAM says

      Any military person that served and is getting disability should be tax exempt. Not just 100% veterans.

      • Harold BS Bukoski says

        these is a sample of what the husband did not know he could have done. set aside part of pay to let his wife receive half of his retirement ck after he passes. I BELEVE THE THE RECRUITERS SHOULD BE TRAINED ON THE DODPM AND THE BRANCH OF SERVICE PAY MAMUAL

        • john schubert says

          It’s not the recruiters it’s when he is on his way out they do all that. I did for 55% of my pay and I pay about $400 a month for her to get about $3500. I just wish she could my disability check too.

    • Rodolfo Benavides says

      I paid taxes on my active duty pay for over twenty two plus years. I have now been retired for 27 years and continue to pay taxes. SMe for social security. As far as I’m concerned, this is “double taxation” at its best.

      • Harold BS Bukoski says

        Dam right – The Hq for the VFW/AMERICAN LEGION/
        DISABLED VET’S/VIETNAM VET/IRAQ VET’S/AFQHANISTAN VET’S THIS SHOULD BE THE NUMBER ON THE HQ’S MEETING ALL POST SHOULD PRESS THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS

  64. Richard E Buchholz says

    I want you hit the retirement age being in the military and you’re receiving it you should not be taxed just like our disability and social security should not be taxed just like one person said we already paid taxes on and why do we have pay taxes again

  65. Robert Moffett Jr says

    I am a Retired and Disable Veteran, and Get Retirement Pay and Social Security, I think we should not be Taxes on both of them. Why ? Because we have already been taxed on Both Retirement and Social Security.

      • jimmie house says

        If the U.S government stop giving Ukraine million upon million of tax payer dollars to buy weapon and bomb in a war that the U.S created we will have a surplus,of cash to help the same people that died to keep this country free, I seen veteran go to war and are injury, and it take the v.a 20years to give them their benefits, but Ukraine tell the United States that they need 100 million, the next day the u.s government will send them 5 hundred million, and have more when they ask for it, but veteran it take 20 years to received their benefits, some veteran die before they get their benefit, i always wonder who is the enemy of the america people, it sure are not iran or russia

        • John says

          Still waiting for PTSD & Agent Orange… They keep asking name of SHIP did you serve on not a SHIP but a BOAT. SHIPS have names BOATS don’t..
          (River rat) You can put a boat on a ship but not a shop on a boat!!

  67. JAMES+DUNCAN says

    Yes I agree that Military Retirement Pay should be Exempt from taxes. I also feel that Retired Reservist should be able to draw their Retirement when they retire just as Retired Active Duty does.

    • Lee McNeil says

      I was an naval aviator. I served 17 years 5 months 2.6 weeks and was forced out on an honorable, medical discharge just before they would have had to medically retire me. I was put out on a 10 % disability for chronic depression. I bought a lifetime membership in the DAV and thanks to their help I was rated at 40 % within two years. I am now 70 years old and was finally rated at 100 %, 6 months ago. My wife and family served right along with me and because I was put out at such a low rating and it took so long, we have had no benefits to speak of all these years. When I pass, my disability pay ceases, leaving her with virtually nothing. My wife deserves to continue to receive my disability payment for the remainder of her life!!

      • Thomas Snyder says

        If you are rated at 100%, there is survivors benefits available as DIC. Check it out on VA.gov

  69. Jonas Makan says

    I believe that Military Retirement should not be taxed just like VA Disability isn’t. I also feel that States/Counties should not be able to use VA Disability or any nontaxable income towards calculating child support. I pay over $1100 a month in Louisiana for 1 child because of my 100% VA Disability, Military Retirement, and my Civilian Job. My exe’s husband has the exact same. but they don’t count his income just like they don’t count my wife’s income. Therefore, while my family is hurting in some way’s my ex is making off like a bandit not too mention her hubby also gets oil checks every month for land he has in Texas. This is some BullCrap I tell ya.

    • Robert DeMaio says

      I served and I was broken in service. The Military fixes your body and sends you back to duty until they break it so badly you are no longer functional. They fix your body well enough for survival after the time in service but you are still military. Mentally you were not done and they retired you because it is a young persons game, you are too old and have had too many repairs for continued service.
      WELL…If you served this country’s military for even one term, one enlistment, a two-year served hitch, any branch active duty, You should be exempt from ALL retirement taxes. While you work in the economy you should pay taxes, that is what government needs, shared funds to operate. But when you retire, you should be military exempt from all taxes, including state retail and state property tax. You should be paid for life because, you did pay for it with your life, you just happened to live thru the service to your country. These thoughts are from an US Army Retired Ranger Specialist.

    • Cstrang says

      I agree. Biden is the one who started the taxing of .S.S. When he was in Congress. We should not be taxed on our tiny monthly S.S. Checks..

      • John Clayton McQuiddy says

        The taxation of Social Security began in 1984 following passage of a set of Amendments in 1983 and was signed into law by President Reagan in April 1983.

    • Thomas Joseph Ciardullo says

      I’m a 74-year-old Navy Nam Vet rated @ 90% disability and not a retired Vet. Military Retirement should not be treated as taxable income just as disability income isn’t however Social Security is only taxed if you reach a certain income level, but any outside income you earn from other sources are rightfully taxed, I don’t believe just because we served, we are due the benefit any other tax break.

      • Trixie says

        BULLSHIT!!! Aint no USA without our military, in any ERA, GOD himself testified to that fact, long before you where born, if you haven’t read it, you can find it in Psalms 144, better yet, open up the Bible and read, you will find that GOD prophesied on the USA long before it was the USA. It is not free because you move here it is free because of our MILITARY!!!!! NO TAX

  71. Chris Jones says

    I am a 100% disabled veteran from Vietnam. Not only do I believe that my disability pay should not be taxed but I also believe that the disability payments should begin from the time of leaving service. I hope you do present all our views above to Congress and the President.

  72. Tom parlier says

    I am retired with 30 percent disability from Vietnam. My 30 percent is not taxed the other is. It should ALL be tax free.

    • MICHAEL BEST says

      You are paying your own Disability from your retirement Check!! rip off!! You earned your retirement pay, Disability pay should not come from your retirement pay!!

  73. James Espinoza says

    I’m a USAF Retired E8 with 32;years of service. I am 40% VA Service Connected and have to fund my own disability benefits out of my retired pay. How is this policy in effect? It is not equitable and is discriminatory to all retirees with a less than a VA 50% service connected disability? Are there any class action lawsuits pending for restoration of military retirement pay of these affected individuals?

  74. Chuck says

    Federal and State tax should be exempt for every veteran that honorably served their time and country!

    • James says

      VA disability pay should be paid separate from retired pay not taken from the veterans retired pay.

      • Júnior says

        Hello did you ever serve the Armed Services of United States ???l Don’t think so you should be ashamed of yourself ok US Veterans serve with pride , honor and dignity ! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

    • James Lawrence says

      Veteran’s paid retirement benefits,Not Government. I paid enough money to make sure I wouldn’t keep paying.

    • Ronald says

      That is totally correct we all sacrificed we all served and should not be taxed state or federal if you did so with honor.

  75. Msgt Crawford says

    Yes we should not be, as a disabled veteran we and other veteran what else do we need to give, so taxes is the is the lease the country can do!!!

  76. Jerry Larsen says

    America does not take care of their military service people yet they take care of the politicians. The service are the best and should be treated as such. Many who work at the VA look down on Vets.

    • Tony Phillips says

      Yes, too much is given to politicians.
      While not perfect, America does a hell of a job taking care of veterans.
      Better than anyone else in the world.
      I’ve never been treated with anything but respect at the VA. I am sorry you have this problem.

  77. Thomas Ballard says

    Funny how we get shafted and members of Congress get everything you can imagine. They get paid for life after serving just one term. They get free medical care and you can bet their program is a hell of a lot better than ours. We paid the price and we should get the tax free retirement paid. Also the disability pay injured members get should be in addition to their regular retirement pay.

      • Thomas Joseph Ciardullo says

        It isn’t, if you receive disability income and are reporting it as income you need to stop, also consider checking to see you can amend past returns.

    • Margaret Thurston says

      my husband was 100% disabled due to several things he had to fight 10 years to get that, agent orange was killing =him and yet he was disabled for emotional issues. the VA did not document his rapid weight loss and we lost him in 2020. aspiration pneumonia.
      i think the surviving spouse should also get tax free pension. oh we get a tiny amount but not the full amount. also only get a portion from the VA.
      veterans should be treated better.

  78. Steven Hall says

    If the state of Ohio and various other states can honor military retirees by exempting retiree pay from state taxes, the federal government should do the same. After all, it was the federal government we were working for at that time in the first place, wasn’t it?

  79. Butch says

    No taxes for vets dot period. We’ve paid our dues and because of my undying love for God and country, I’m paying the piper with longer hospital stays and unexplained illness. Congress knows what they’re doing by delaying compensation to us in hopes that we’ll die off before they have to admit they owe all of us vets. Sure miss President Trump!!

    • Russell PauletteYAHOO says

      Butch, I must disagree with you regarding Mr. Trump. He never really did anything of substance for the VETERANS except to call us CHUMPS AND LOOSERS, PLUS HE LABELED LATE SENATOR JOHN McCAIN A LOSER FOR BEING A POW during the VIET NAM WAR. THIS FROM A DRAFT EVADER WHOSE FATHER BOUGHT HIM A DEFERFMENT FROM A DOCTOR DESIGNATION OF HAVING BONE SPURS. I DO NOT MISS THIS PERSON.

      • David Burton says

        Hey Russell, all Butch said is that he misses Donald Trump. No need for your negative political discourse and rants. Your capitalized sentences sure make an impact though!

        • Tony Phillips says

          I see not one thing negative about his discourse.
          He may have been shouting with his all caps, but his anger is entirely appropriate. Trump and most of the Republicans treat veterans like scum.
          If they take over congress in the election, they have already made plans to come after disability payments, housing, a cap on military pay; and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
          Republicans are no friends to any veteran.

  80. Daniel Skelton says

    Military pay was taxed when you are on active duty. Taxing retired benefits is double taxation.

    • Júnior says

      That should be if we as Armed Forces of the United States protect and defend our country with honor and pride and dignity. It’s not right for US Congress to come after US Veterans benefits !!! Vote these people out they must respect US Veterans !!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

      • WILLIAM A MOECK,HMC,USN,RET says

        This applies to any kind of tax. 23 years in, 2 tours in Vietnam. Taxing retired vets is NOT SUPPORTING WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR THE COUNTRY.

  83. RONALD MICDIVER says

    WE PAID OUR DUES PLANTING LAND MINES.,LOSING LIMS,DIGGING UP MINE FIELDS,NOW WE CAN,T BREATH/GOT AGENT ORANGE,PROSTATE CANCER AND SOME OF US SLEEPING IN CARDBOARD BOXES AND TENTS WHILE IMMIGRANTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES ARE COMING
    OVER HERE KILLING OUR CHILDREN WITH FETIONAL YOU TELL ME””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

  84. Jesse Fowler says

    I see every day Veterans living on the street…they are NOT receiving enough money to live any where else. When I see this I try to help them, I now live with my daughter. Foe a while I lived in the state of
    Georgia and that state taxed my military retired pay. They were doing this wrong. I moved to another
    state. BUT when the courts made them stop doing this…I DID NOT receive any money back from them.
    I was told we have your money and you are not getting anything back. SHAME SHAME….

  85. Steve Miller (not THAT one) says

    Our federal government is so broke they will continue to tax all income that is not disability income. Simply put, it takes money to pay for services the federal government provides, and we all know where that money comes from — your pocket, my pocket, his pocket, her pocket, etc. Like it or not, the federal government sees your retirement pay (and mine) as income, which is why they tax it, along with the income of every other worker in America. Yes, I know people get paid “under the table,” but that’s a whole other conversation.

    State governments are another story. Some states have an income tax, and others don’t. If you are fortunate to live in a state without a state income tax, you are obviously able to keep more of your retirement pay in your pocket. If your state has an income tax, you are keeping less of your retirement pay, but hopefully your dollars (and those of other retirees) are being used to provide state services.

      • TSgt Douglas Withers says

        Senate Bill 11 became law in Utah in March 2021 and exempted all military pensions from taxation. In the

    • WILLIAM A MOECK,HMC,USN,RET says

      Isn’t it enough that greedy politicians supposedly represent us and get over paid to sir around and get themselves nice fat pay raises, while Vets have to suffer.

  86. ivan fossesigurani says

    When i retrieved from the fire dept in CT for 38 1/2 yrs. my ss was $2200.00 a month thanks to Regan its now $108..00 and his the windfall act . This is so ‘American’, to screw our police fire, and veteran. of money’s so these politician can line their own pockets and give their families and children all the education and toy’s they could want or need, and then some. When I asked about the money’s that we contributed to ss that we the people put in not the employers they looked at me like i had a 3rd head and well that’s not your’s.
    I worked for it and on top of that I payed TAX’S on it..
    NO ANSWER!!!!! I personally asked Senators Rosa and Blumenthal, you remember him the senator who claimed HE WAS was a vet! LIERS!!!

      • Jody says

        Agreed we have social security taxes too thanks to Biden as a when he was in the Senate. Thanks mr President fir taxes our social security and u totally support taxing our retirement too! It’s ashame! I

          • Lucinda Miller says

            Absolutely Exempt! I am a military widow. My retirement check is $340.00 per month from the military for 25.3 years of service, including Vietnam and time in service during Afghanistan. It is not enough to buy groceries and gas anymore let alone pay a mortgage or pay for a much needed new vehicle. Sorry to complain but the family suffers along with the Veterans forever.

        • TSgt Douglas Withers says

          Taxation of Social Security started in 1974 and modified in 1975.
          Adding Military Pay, Working Salary, and if you are receiving Social Security
          you will pay Taxes on your Social Security.
          The modification of 1975 states the if:
          “Single” and your Annual Income is over $16,000
          “Married” and your Annual Income is over $32,000
          You will pay additional taxes on your Social Security

        • Tony Phillips says

          Wake up! Biden did not tax social security.
          Ronnie Reagan began taxing social security in 1984.
          That’s the problem we have–people like you automatically vote Republican. If you take an honest look at their record for the last 20 years or so, they have done nothing but screw veterans.
          Democrats are the ones who have saved and improved the VA, service housing, pay increases, better body armor, etc.

      • TSgt Douglas Withers says

        Senate Bill 11 became law in Utah in March 2021 and exempted all military pensions from taxation. In the

  87. James Edward Feimster says

    I retired from the Air Force after 23 years and 5 months. My retirement pay was not enough to support myself and my family so I had to get a job after retirement, no problem I worked at the USPS for about years until I couldn’t do that work because of injuries I sustained while on active duty. I still needed to work so I taught high school AFJROTC for 14 years until I couldn’t do that anymore. That was a job that I truly enjoyed, working with our future military personnel. I was fortunate to have a very good doctor at the VA who sent me to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital for a MRI. After their evaluation, the VA rated me at 100% disable. I am fortunate to get my military retirement, VA disability, state retirement from the school system and my social security. I think I am fortunate to receive the income that I receive. My VA disability is not taxed but everything else is taxed. Now with that being said, I don’t think that military retirement, social security, and definitely not a teacher’s retirement (they don’t get paid enough as it is) should be taxed.

      • Larry Green says

        I agree 100% with you . But what they are doing to the WWII and Korean War vets that put 20 or more years to our health care is disgraceful. They promised us if we put 20 + years on active duty , our health care would be free for life. Well in 1995 , Bill Clinton and the democrats force us to pay for our health care . Then at age 65 , they forced us onto Medicare . So right now , I’m paying $344 a month for my free health care. In 2001 we had a law suite against the government to correct this . George Bush, Dick Chaney and Donald Rhumsfield , said that the money could be spent better elsewhere . What a disgrace. They could rectify very easy at hardly any expense , since there’s only a few of us left.

        • Roberta J Altman says

          My husband served 20 years including 1 in Vietnam when his F4 was shot down and he and co-pilot were able to eject. Sustained injuries and burns. He collects 100 percent tax free every month.

        • Tony Phillips says

          Not Clinton: “President Clinton acted immediately in the wake of his historic election to put into action his Health Care Reform Initiative. Clinton simultaneously created the Task Force on National Health Care Reform and the White House Health Care Interdepartmental Working Group on January 25, 1993.”
          Republicans opposed it so most of it never got done.
          And no, the Democrats did not force anything upon you.

      • Beverly Hanner says

        I agree 100% Being the wife of a 20 yr veteran his retirement surely isn’t enough to live on. He now has alzheimers and that makes it worse as we get no other help. I know that when he passes I will not receive his retirement but a senator or other officials can put 2 yrs in and they get paid the rest of their lives.. Go figure where our money and taxes go.

    • Michael T Hearn says

      Hello fellow veteran. All through my career active duty we didn’t make enough to feed our family, AND HELL NO IT SHOULD NOT BE TAXED, they take SS taxes from your first job. If the politicians lived like we do. Our government would not have a deposit that we do…….WELCOME HOME BROTHER”

    • Sandra D Caissie says

      My name is Sandy. I understand. I was in for 21 years and I had to get out on a disability for my eyes and more. I don’t receive my retirement. The VA received my retirement and I receive the disability.

      • William says

        Sandra…. Is the disability amount more or less that regular retirement you would have been paid ? If the regular retirement is more, I, personally, would forfeit the disability and submit for regular retirement, as the VA will still provide the health service for your eyes.
        .

        • William says

          UPDATE to Sandra.
          .I see one person above , (James) is obtaining BOTH disability AND retirement……. you may want to check further with VA Benefits and/or one of the Military Orgs (Am Legion, DAV, etc)

    • William says

      on the tax subject : ..tax’s would be determined by the AGI (adjusted gross income) number on the tax form.
      By the time deductions are made (eg; personal or, the itemized) the AGI could be a third of the total income and possibly taking oneself below the Gov’t guideline of the poverty number… IF any tax’s are due, I am guessing it would be a minimal amount….

    • Roberta J Altman says

      My husband, a retired Air Force Lt. Col. He has 100% disability and that is not taxed. His Air Force retirement is taxed. We both receive Social Security which is also taxed. We need the Republicans to support no taxes for the people who put their lives in danger every day.

      • Robin says

        I agree Roberta, but we need both Republicans and Democrats to support NO TAXES. It doesn’t fall on one Political Party, it falls on all the Politicians that are keeping what belongs to Veterans and any other person that works and risks their lives.

        • Tony Phillips says

          Trump stunk up our country and did nothing for the veterans except hate on them and insult them.

  88. William Hunt says

    When we were on active duty our pay was taxed, so why would the retirements be exempt. I live in a state that does not have income tax so I am fortunate. Disability should not be taxed as it’s for a disability incurred while on active duty…

    • Vietnam War Veteran says

      Same with Federal Government Employees. We can blame President Regan. He influenced the United States Congress to change the laws for Federal Government Employees and the Retired Military.
      He also penalized Military retirees from double dipping and changed the Federal Government Employees retirement plan from Civil Service to FEERS. All of these policies was implemented in 1985.

      • Brenda Gutierrez says

        You are right Regan really screwed people over when he did the windfall act. My husband did 30 years in Law enforcement, but prior to that all the work before that he paid into social security he gets a third of what he should be getting. As for me I gave up the fight for getting anything from the VA and fighting for my disability.

  89. William Johnson says

    More than retirement pay shouldn’t be taxed, neither should pay for service connected disabilities be taxed. Very often, those service connected disabilities meant the person was unable to continue to serve to retirement whether they wanted to or not.

  90. Wallace C Hatcher Jr says

    It is bad enough that they fight over giving the Military a Pay Raise. Them being those that are suppose to Represent us make sure they always get theirs. There hasn’t been a good Military pay raise in 20 years..

    • ronald says

      When is the first or last time u saw the speaker of house or senate wear combat shoes and carried a duffal bag??
      When I joined the military, it was law that if finished required time to retire, our medical benefits for you and spouse was free Who were the fat cats that changed this and then took a huge pay raise. Guess who yes it was the Slave Master once again

  91. Kathleen A. Chase says

    I agree that when a veteran hits retirement age they should not be taxed. In some cases it’s the only money they have to support themselves. Social security helps but that system is so over taxed by the illegal immigrants, Heaven only knows how long the system is going to keep going. Social Security & veteran retirement was suppose to help those who served our county faithfully. Those faithful citizens, & I repeat citizens, who have paid into the system, have the right to receive social security. They worked hard & contributed to social security deserve to have it available when they retire. But congress borrowed from the Soc. Sec. funds & never returned what they borrowed. illegal immigrants who are not citizens are draining the system into the red. So they wonder why so many people are unhappy with the government. No common sense, Greed, and power hungry politicians. That’s the bottom line. Well I guess I got up on my soap box. Sorry if I did, but it’s how I feel. But there has to be limits & the Democrats don’t seem to understand that. Everyone needs to understand that everyone is not going to be satisfied, Our elected officials must do what’s needed for the good whole country. .

    • Vietnam War Veteran says

      I’m praying that the United States Supreme Court rule in our favor. When they hear the court case regarding Veterans receiving back pay from the time they were discharge from the military instead of the date the initial claim was filed.

  93. dan bellay says

    Military Retired pay should be tax exempt.
    The main reason is there is very little incentive to serve our country.
    When the president forgives loans for education there is no reason to serve our country for an educational benefit.
    Generally, the Dems dont respect the military in jesture and thought and generally dont support the Vets who do the fighting for our way of life.

    • Eric Anthony Thomas says

      That’s a bunch of bull. Democrats have all ways loved Vets and supports them. Most of our raises come from Democrats. And Democrats are leading the way NOW! why the do not Republicans are doing NOTHING!

      • John B Letriz says

        Go back and do your research Eric. Dems had the lowest raises for the military especially BObama at 1% for 8 years. Reps strengthen the nation’s defense while Dems weaken it consistently.

        • Tony Phillips says

          Stop with the cult postings. You’re supposedly a veteran, so it should be President Obama.
          BTW, it was the Republican-controlled congress that only gave a 1% pay hike.

      • Jay S. says

        John’s right Eric. I served 37 years in the Army and was always happy to see a Republican elected because it meant we might get a raise equal to or a little above inflation.

      • Michael Disabled USNavy Vet says

        I think Mr. Thomas needs to wake up from his dream, The “do everything Democrats” want to do everything for illegal immigrants and nothing for the legal citizens but take everything away from us, so read your history books, our government did this before. Immigrants came into this country and took everything away from those that were already here, decimated them, and left them to die. Look at what is happening today, the same thing, but people are just too blind to see, or to dumb to admit it.

        • Randy says

          Why don’t the Repubs stop giving everything to the rich like their tax breaks ? Than maybe retirees won’t have To pay taxes

    • William Wright says

      irregardless, it’s still “gained income” shipmate. , it’s no different than the taxes I’m required on my Civil Service retirement pay. The real screwing we’ve had to take since we retired is the erosion of our Medical benefits. Promises made, Promises broken!!!

      • Michael Disabled USNavy Vet says

        AGREED, our medical guaranteed by contract is being or has already been striped away from us.

  94. Gary Casale says

    I also agree that Military Retirement should not be taxed at least after we reach the age of retirement (65 yoa). before that we should pay taxes except on disability pay. I think that would be fair and equitable to all as long as it is also agreed that States cannot tax retired pay after retirement age as well. (my state Louisiana does not currently tax federal/Military retirement pay)

  95. Luis says

    I think that anyone over the age of 65 that receives SSN, military retirement check or pension under $150,000 should not be taxed. That’s one way of taking care of our elderly. I also believe that Medicare should provide everyone over the age of 65, 100% coverage and that includes prescriptions, hospital, vision and dental. All inclusive. That’s how we should be toward our retirees.

    • Rommel Derivera says

      According to a Dr. Humphrey at Mare Island V.A. clinic, Vallejo, Ca. who i am assigned to(for now) when i asked if i can have an MRI since 10 years ago my MRI showed the gel that cushions a persons spinal on my 2nd & 3rd vertebrae has been leaking, due to an accident on the ship i was on in Vietnam, said, ” The problem with you military retirees is you think you are entitled to everything”. I had to bite my tongue
      before i got in trouble!!!

      • Margaret Chaplar says

        Yes absolutely report him!! He is there to take care of the veterans! Who knows what he has denied in treatment options because of his opinions!!

    • SSG SANDRA K. FOLEY, USA, RET, & DISAB. says

      YES, I THINK THAT ALL OF US VETERAN’S SHOULD GET IT FREE OF OUR RETIREMENT CHECKS FROM THE IRS, PERIOD! AND WE VETERAN’S SHOULD GET A WHOLE LOT MORE FREEBIES IN THIS COUNTRY FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY WHETHER IN WAR TIME OR NOT!! AND THOSE ARE THE FACTS!! OUR COUNTRY IS GOING DOWN THE TUBE WITH OUR SO CALLED TRASHY LEADERS THAT WE HAVE IN POWER RIGHT NOW! THEY NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, AND BY THE PEOPLE, AND THOSE ARE THE FACTS!!

    • Anthony Ferrucci says

      Yes, SS and military benefits should be tax exempt. SS was earned by paying taxes on our wages and now we’re being taxed on it again. We are taxed when they collected it and now taxed when getting it back.

  96. Dave Kuzanek says

    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 ?

    • Bret A Lewis says

      Pretty convenient for the members of Congress whom did not sign up to physically become property of the U. S. A.

      • Baum says

        the VA is the worst organization in America
        they could care less about veterans
        it takes years and private attorneys to get the benefits one deserves
        after going to twenty doctors who stated my condition has deuterated
        I still haven’t been granted proper benefits
        they procrastinate on purpose so you will dye so they don’t have pay benefits
        it’s been seven years and still fighting for proper benefits
        the VA sucks

    • Manuel Valdez says

      Completely agree. At least if they remarry support should stop. I put myself in harms way. She did not join the military. Ex-spouses don’t deserve half. Congress should abide by the same rules

    • Donald Graham says

      I totally agree with you… They call it “dividing of property “. Retirement check is not property…period!!! If I were to comit a felony and get sentenced to prison for years… are they going to stop or withhold her portion of the divided property??? We need to raise up and have the law makers revisit the “former spouse act”! As much as they claim she served…she ain’t seen a day of combat…I have!

    • Jimbo123 says

      I retired from the military….divorced after 18 yrs of marriage of those 20 years while in military…….wife entitled to half give or take,6 months away from retirement. She wanted the kids and her feredom. We have two children. She lets me raise them. While we wer married she had 10 years CIvilian Service. Even though I am raising the kids, she is still entitled to a dissomaster amount of spouse support because she was NOT WORKING at the time of the divorce…..she returns to our home of record leaves me and the kids in high ass California. Goes back to working for the government in Illinois. Lord rest her soul. She passes away 4 years later due to an illness. I should be entitled to half of her government retirement, right? Especiailly since I was not only married to her for 18 years but I has school age children of hers that I am still raising, right? How much of her retirement am I entitled to? Zero….How much is her kids entitled to? Up to age 18 then the Annuity is done. Where does her retirement go to………Back into the Civilian personnel pot for the future governement civilians that will die. They factor all this in when they add up how much retirement annuities they have to pay out each month! The Fers and CSSR Annuities are a crock of UTTER BS as compared to the Military retirement system for spouses. Its set up for women and children and SCREWS dads who have to raise childrent BIG TIME!

  97. Jon says

    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,,,,,

  98. Joanne Gray says

    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!

    • Sharon L Toth says

      Agree with you 100%. Your spouse should be 100% disabled and receiving every benefit possible! Thank you for your service 🙏

    • John Overton says

      Yes he totally deserves all the benefits. he is entitled too. If I were you I would find a Veterans office, VFW group or Disabled American Veterans. I think you should get the ball rolling. Make sure you have all his paperwork together. The VA Rep will need it. Since he was exposed to Agent Orange he DEFINITELY needs to get the benefits.. Don’t hestitate. Do it now. It will take awhile to go thru the VA system. Good luck!!! .

      • Dawn V Myers says

        Absolutely Military should be exempt from taxes. Some of us have family. Spouse ‘ husbands’ children who have given their lives for this country. That’s enough!@

  99. JOHN KOJACK says

    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

  100. JOHN KOJACK says

    I HAD TO PAY TAXES WHEN I WAS A MILITARY VETERAN FROM 1963 TO 1969. MILITARY SERVICE PEOPLE NEED TO PAY Taxes

  101. Allen Littlefield says

    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.

  102. Richard Connolly says

    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.

    • William Fisher says

      All disability pay is tax exempt. They are asking if all retirement pay for military should be tax exempt.

  103. Milton J Lockley (RET-VET 28YR USN) says

    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!

    • Ben Walton says

      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…

      • Warren Washington says

        Military retirement payments shouldn’t be tax neither should social security..the Republicans party want to get rid of social security, but vote to give themselves a pay raise often. And cut taxes for the rich and big companies.

    • Scott Skeate says

      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.”

    • Miss Jackson says

      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

    • Karen Erickson says

      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.

      • [USN Ret.] Joseph C Moore says

        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.

      • Homer Washington says

        Yes I agree with you 100%. I served in the Army for 28 years and 5 months, I retired in 1992.

    • William Fisher says

      This reference applies to disability pay which is equal to the percentage of your disability determined medically. If you have an SF15 showing 30% disability then 30% of your retirement is not taxed. This question is asking if all of the retirement pay should be tax exempt!

  104. Rommel Derivera says

    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?????

  105. Thomas J. Pope, Jr. says

    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.

  106. MICHAEL R LYNN says

    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

    • Thomas J. Pope, Jr. says

      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.

  107. Wil Juare says

    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.

    • Rommel Derivera says

      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!!!

    • Titan says

      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.

  108. MARK PETERSEN says

    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.

  109. RAelene says

    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.

  110. Jesse Clark says

    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. .

    • John B Letriz says

      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.

      • David says

        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!

      • Randy says

        And the rich and cooperations . Maybe if the Repubs would stop giving them all the rad cuts then retirees won’t have to pay taxes

    • Loren Anderson says

      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….

  112. george says

    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

    • Edwin says

      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

  113. dennis james buchanan says

    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

    • Frank says

      Well if their asking this question it means we’re going to have to give something up. I wonder what that is?

    • Jimbo says

      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!

  114. Dessiree D Jagiello says

    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.

    • Andy says

      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.

    • dennis james buchanan says

      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

  115. Bernadette Miller says

    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.

  117. Donna says

    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.

    • Gary Whitehead, CW03 Retired. says

      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.

    • Carmen says

      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

  118. Marcia L Fritz says

    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.

    • SFC (Ret). Dexter Shell Sr says

      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)

      • Bryant Burkes says

        I agree sir 100%
        I am a 37 year veteran that received nothing from body damage in 3 wars

        • William Ripley says

          I’m a veteran, I feel even they are retired they should pay like everyone else!

      • Thelma Bell says

        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.

    • Karen says

      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!!

      • Michael says

        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.

    • Andy says

      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.

    • Lauren says

      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.

  119. don thomas says

    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??

    • Lauren says

      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.

  120. D.Griffin says

    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.

  121. Bart says

    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.

  122. Marcus J Lilly says

    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.

    • James says

      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.

  123. Marcus J Lilly says

    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 .

    • John Gregorowicz says

      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.

  124. Ernest says

    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.

      • DOn says

        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.

    • Margo Greenwell says

      This is exactly right,retirement and SBP should not be taxed,our soldiers have paid their price!!

      • James M Cornell says

        I feel that retirees of the armed forces should be tax free is they earn less than 75,000 dollars with all income. considered. I gave 20 years of my life to the Air Force and it included a year in Vietnam Our elected officals are out for them selves not us the true Americans.

  125. Sharon says

    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.

    • RAY LOUGH says

      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.

  126. Will says

    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?

  127. Donna Thames says

    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?

        • Tim D Willingham says

          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.\

        • Leslie B. says

          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!

    • Jerry C. Murphy says

      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”!

    • Charles hejde says

      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!!!!

    • Kristen Baughman says

      Because we pay enough with gas and food. We should get a break to pay for essentials like healthcare

    • Felicia says

      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.

  128. Lydia C. says

    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?

    • Bill says

      True, You do not see our government politicians sacrificing. They do not do Shit except get rich and screwing the people!

    • Jerry C. Murphy says

      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.

  129. Dominick Campese says

    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

    • Lauren McKenna says

      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.

      • Robert W. Ford says

        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…

      • Felicia says

        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.

  130. David Aldering sgt.u.s.m.c says

    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.

  131. Patrick T Carey says

    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.

  132. James H. says

    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

    • billy says

      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.

  135. Vicente Rodriguez says

    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

    • Bob Lefebvre says

      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!!

    • Bernadette Miller says

      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.

  136. R.T. Wunder says

    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.

  137. Virgil Harrison says

    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.

  138. Orlando "D" DiMacali says

    It”s just not fair for retirement pension to be taxed; As a veteran,we did pay our dues already in serving this country!!!

  139. Renee says

    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.

  140. Ronnie says

    Disabled Vets don’t pay on the money we get why not Retirees. If you are Rich you don’t pay.

  141. Cleveland Mccord jr says

    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.

  142. Francis J Calverase says

    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.

  143. Albert Nichols says

    Army Retired People should pay no
    Taxes , they gave so much some never come Home , why should they pay Taxes ?

  144. Sherman O’Bryan says

    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.

  145. Rodney Guest USN says

    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

    • emilio diaz says

      i believe all veterans that have a Honorable discharge should have free Dental care,

    • Ryan Bertrand says

      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.

      • Rommel Derivera says

        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%!

  146. Cleveland james says

    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.

  147. Mary Strothers says

    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

    • Thomas Kirkland says

      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

      • Kathy Stockton says

        Sooooo U N R E A L !!! I’m very sorry… NOT. FAIR‼️‼️. We’ve gotta. FIX THIS !

  148. Cathy Stafford says

    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