The American Legion has expressed its strong opposition to a measure that would cut benefits for military retirees by $6.3 billion. Legionnaires are now being urged to contact their congressional delegations to remove cuts included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. Click here to utilize The American Legion’s Legislative Commission easy online tool to reach federal officials.

The measure would reduce cost-of-living retirement benefits for military retirees by 1 percent per year until they reach the age of 62. There are published estimates that the potential loss of income is about $70,000 on the low end to $120,000 on the high end, depending on retired rank and years of service.

“The cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) decrease would be disrespectful to America’s men and women who have devoted their careers at great personal cost to the safety and welfare of our nation,” American Legion National Commander Dan Dellinger said.

Follow The American Legion on Twitter to get updates on the COLA issue. Use the hashtag #KeepYourPromise.