Bill > HB17

This bill modifies retirement benefits for disabled veterans in Alaska by amending existing state law to allow veterans rated as permanently and totally disabled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to receive normal retirement benefits at any age, instead of being restricted to retiring at age 60. Specifically, the bill changes the Alaska Statutes (AS) 39.35.370(a) to add a new provision that enables terminated employees who are veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability rating from the VA to qualify for normal retirement benefits regardless of their age, as long as they have at least five years of credited service. The bill also repeals several related sections of existing law (AS 39.35.340(d), 39.35.340(i), and 39.35.541(b)), which likely contain provisions that are now superseded by this new language. This change aims to provide more flexible retirement options for disabled veterans, recognizing the unique challenges they may face in maintaining long-term employment due to service-connected disabilities.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB17