Major Richard Star Act

Major Richard Star Act

This bill provides that combat-disabled uniformed services retirees with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction, veterans' disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.

Bill 117 HR 1282, also known as the Major Richard Star Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill is named after Major Richard Star, a Marine Corps officer who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008.

The purpose of the Major Richard Star Act is to provide financial assistance to the families of service members who are killed in combat zones or die as a result of their service. The bill aims to ensure that these families receive the support they need to cope with the loss of their loved ones.

Specifically, the Major Richard Star Act would increase the death gratuity paid to the families of fallen service members from $100,000 to $200,000. This increase in financial assistance is intended to help cover the immediate expenses that families face following the death of a service member. In addition to increasing the death gratuity, the Major Richard Star Act would also make changes to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) for military families. The bill would allow surviving spouses of service members who die in combat zones to receive both the SBP annuity and the full amount of the death gratuity. Overall, the Major Richard Star Act seeks to provide greater financial support to the families of fallen service members, recognizing the sacrifices they have made for their country. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being considered for passage.