MSG Earl Plumlee, a Medal of Honor recipient, said that a new law delivering a major increase to living recipients’ pensions “balances the scale” between those who served the United States honorably both in service and out of it.
The United States’ highest heroes will reap the benefits from Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends, or MEDAL Act, approved by Congress and signed Monday by President Donald Trump. It creates a new formula that increases monthly payments from $1,489.73 to $5,625. Annually, that equates to roughly $67,500 in annual honorarium—about a four-fold increase from the current annual special pension of $16,880.76.
The change comes after years of appeals from recipients, veterans groups and lawmakers who said benefits lagged far behind rising costs and the heavy public obligations carried for decades by the nation’s most decorated service members, of whom there are 63 currently living.
A proposal last year signaled the shift when lawmakers first floated the idea of raising Medal of Honor pensions to levels approaching six figures, showing early bipartisan momentum for a dramatic overhaul of how the nation financially supports its highest heroes.
MSG Earl Plumlee, a Medal of Honor recipient, told Military.com the enhanced pension acknowledges decades of unpaid service from recipients who never walked away from the public role the medal brings.
“I’ve seen firsthand the commitment the Vietnam-era recipients—an aging demographic with an average age near 80—have poured into this country for decades after their service.”
“I’ve seen firsthand the commitment the Vietnam-era recipients—an aging demographic with an average age near 80—have poured into this country for decades after their service,” Plumlee told Military.com. “Countless miles traveled and countless hours spent with school groups, veterans, civic organizations, active-duty units and anyone who asked.
“Recipients never want to say ‘no’ to an opportunity to share their stories or the values of the Medal, even when it places strain on our own families. This legislation helps balance that scale.”
Lifetime of Service That Never Really Ends
Medal of Honor recipients often say their responsibility continues long after combat ends. Many spend years traveling to classrooms, civic groups and military units to share stories of service and sacrifice. That commitment usually comes without financial support.
Plumlee said the enhanced pension acknowledges decades of unpaid service from recipients who never walked away from the public role the medal brings, adding that younger recipients will one day inherit that responsibility.
“There are only a handful of us, and one day we will bear the responsibility of carrying the Medal’s legacy forward,” he said. “The MEDAL Act strengthens the foundation for that mission. It shows that the nation recognizes not only the actions that earned the Medal but the lifetime of service that follows.”
Pressure That Forced Congress’ Hand
Support for the increase cut across party lines. The bipartisan bill unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives in February and later the Senate by unanimous consent.
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) told Military.com the legislation ensures the country honors its promise to those who earned the nation’s highest recognition for valor.
“The Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military decoration for the men and women of our military distinguished for their bravery in service to our country,” Pappas said. “We must honor our service members that have earned this award by ensuring they are financially secure after their military service is over.”
He added that joining the bipartisan bill with Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) was part of “keeping our promise to our service members and veterans.”
“Medal of Honor recipients truly embody the best of our nation,” Nehls said in a statement on Monday. “They never ask for special recognition or demand special treatment. Many of the living Medal of Honor recipients spend most of their time traveling our country, telling their stories inspiring the next generation of America’s heroes.
“My bill…eases their financial burden by increasing their special pension—ensuring they know that America is grateful for all they’ve done to serve our country and defend our freedoms. “
VA officials told Military.com they were unable to provide detailed implementation timelines and directed recipients to the agency’s Medal of Honor pension FAQ as a starting point for information.
The VA has not yet announced when the increased payments will begin. Military.com reached out to multiple VA offices for comment.
Budget Questions Unknown
The Congressional Budget Office has not yet provided a detailed cost estimate for the new law.
“CBO did not publish a standalone estimate for the bill,” CBO spokesperson Caitlin Emma told Military.com, noting the measure appeared in a suspension table earlier this year as lawmakers advanced the bill.
Recent reporting on broader veteran benefits reforms shows the federal government is already navigating significant adjustments to compensation systems. Analysts noted that next year’s scheduled pay increases for disabled veterans and military retirees reflect the same inflation pressures driving lawmakers to rethink compensation models across the entire veterans community.
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