Bill Overview
Title: Bobby Moran Soldier’s Medal Retirement Act
Description: This bill removes the cap on additional retired pay for extraordinary heroism in the line of duty (during active duty service) for members of the Army and Air Force who served during the Vietnam Era (i.e., the period beginning August 5, 1964, and ending on March 27, 1973).
Sponsors: Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]
Target Audience
Population: Vietnam Era Army and Air Force Veterans With Medals for Heroism
Estimated Size: 3000
- The bill affects Army and Air Force members, indicating the target population is members of these military branches.
- The provision specifically applies to those who served during the Vietnam Era between 1964 and 1973.
- Since the cap removed relates to ‘extraordinary heroism,’ this could imply only a subset of soldiers that earned distinctions like the Soldier's Medal or equivalent honors of that era will be impacted.
- The population affected has to be retired, implying they must be living veterans or their families.
Reasoning
- The policy directly affects a small, distinct group: Vietnam Era Army and Air Force veterans with distinctions for extraordinary heroism, such as the Soldier's Medal.
- The budget indicates limited funds, allowing for a modest increase in retirement benefits. This suggests each recipient won't receive a large sum, limiting the potential increase in wellbeing per individual.
- Given the rarity of extraordinary heroism medals, this is a highly specific and rare population, potentially leading to low commonness scores in simulations.
- There will likely be varying levels of impact dependent on the individual's current financial/health situation, family dependencies, and personal value placed on recognition.
Simulated Interviews
Retired military (Texas)
Age: 75 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always been proud of my service and recognition, but additional pay could certainly help with medical bills.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (California)
Age: 78 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've managed fine on retirement benefits, but any extra would help me support my grandchildren's education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired nurse (Florida)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard living on widow's benefits. Any increase in pension from my husband's heroism would be welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired, (Pennsylvania)
Age: 80 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have enough from my benefits, but it's always nice to be acknowledged financially for service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired factory worker (New York)
Age: 77 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though I don't qualify, it's great that fellow veterans who went above and beyond might get more support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired (Ohio)
Age: 81 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a nice gesture by the government. An increase in benefits could help cover rising living costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired teacher (Virginia)
Age: 76 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate it, but my husband's award already provides adequately. It's good that the deserving will get help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired electrical engineer (Georgia)
Age: 74 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important to honor those who have done extraordinary things. It's the least we can do.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired construction worker (Arizona)
Age: 79 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A little extra assistance would make things more comfortable, allow for better healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired librarian (Illinois)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My father's service was legendary. Anything that honors his memory and supports the family financially is a blessing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Key Considerations
- The veteran population involved is relatively small and specific, influencing the modest budgetary impact.
- The removal of the cap does not introduce new veteran benefits but modifies existing ones.
- This bill could set a precedent for adjusting other retirement benefits related to military service recognition.