AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee unanimously voted Wednesday to advance a measure from Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, to support Maine veterans of the Lebanese Civil War and the U.S. military operations in Grenada during the 1980s.
As amended, LD 426 would update Maine's retirement system laws governing credible service so that Mainers who served in Lebanon between Aug. 21, 1982 and Feb. 26, 1984 as well as U.S. military operations in Grenada between Oct. 25, 1983 and Dec. 15, 1983 would be eligible for a subsidized rate when purchasing additional years of service toward their total retirement time, like veterans of other major U.S. military engagements.
Under current law, only veterans of World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War can purchase additional years of creditable service to count towards their retirement benefits.
"It is an egregious oversight that veterans from these two conflicts have not been afforded the same treatment in their retirement offerings as those of other major wars, particularly when so few Maine veterans are currently eligible for the subsidized rate," said Salisbury. "It's beyond time for Maine law to correct this error and recognize the contributions our veterans have made in service to our country and our values."
Earlier this year, MainePERS issued a Military Subsidy Report, which indicated that there have been 11 service members who have been eligible for the subsidized service credit since 2009, and since 2016, there have only been five requests. LD 426 would help increase access to this credit for more Maine veterans.
The bill will move to the full Legislature for consideration in the coming weeks.
Salisbury is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 128, part of Westbrook. She serves as House chair of the Legislature's Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Salisbury], c. 305-965-2744