The MEDAL Act of 2025 increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients to $8,333.33 while maintaining existing pension provisions for surviving spouses.
Ted Cruz
Senator
TX
The MEDAL Act of 2025 honors the extraordinary service of Medal of Honor recipients by significantly increasing their monthly special pension from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33. Additionally, the bill establishes a monthly pension for surviving spouses, ensuring continued support for the families of these distinguished heroes.
MEDAL Act of 2025 Proposes Monthly Pension Jump to $8,333 for Medal of Honor Recipients
The MEDAL Act of 2025 aims to drastically overhaul the financial support provided to the nation’s most decorated military heroes. Under current law (38 U.S.C. 1562), living Medal of Honor recipients receive a special monthly pension of $1,406.73. This bill proposes a nearly six-fold increase, raising that monthly payment to $8,333.33. The legislation frames this as a 'substantial and historic increase' intended to recognize the conspicuous gallantry of those who have performed actions far beyond the call of duty.
A Significant Pay Raise for Heroes
By amending 38 U.S.C. § 1562(a)(1), the bill shifts the annual pension floor for these recipients to approximately $100,000 per year. For a living recipient—perhaps a veteran who has spent decades working a standard 9-to-5 or managing a small business—this change moves the pension from a modest supplement to a significant financial foundation. It’s a direct acknowledgment that the highest military honor should carry a level of financial security that reflects the weight of the decoration. The bill also clarifies the status of surviving spouses in Section 3, ensuring they continue to receive a monthly pension of $1,406.73, which remains tied to cost-of-living adjustments to protect against inflation over time.
Practical Impacts and Implementation
The rollout is straightforward because it utilizes the existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) infrastructure. Since the VA already maintains the Medal of Honor Roll and manages the current disbursements, the primary change is the math behind the monthly check. For the small number of living recipients, this means the impact is immediate and administrative. While the bill doesn't change eligibility—the Medal of Honor remains incredibly rare—it ensures that those who have earned it are compensated in a way that the legislation describes as 'exemplifying the best traits' of the American spirit. For the rest of us, it’s a clear policy statement on how the government values extreme valor in the modern era.