WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) – member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – today introduced legislation to make certain the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assists the family caregivers of veterans as they transition into the workforce or retirement after their caregiving responsibilities have ended.

The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act would require VA to provide certain support services to veteran caregivers to help them go back to school, reenter the workforce, or retire when their veteran family member or loved one no longer needs caregiving services. This support would include employment assistance, retirement planning, and bereavement counseling. This legislation would also require VA to study the barriers veteran caregivers face when reentering the workforce; allow reimbursement up to a certain amount for fees associated with maintaining professional certifications or re-licensure; grant access to existing employment assistance programs; and require a report on the feasibility of establishing a retirement plan or savings for veteran caregivers.

“Family caregivers play a vital role in supporting veterans, often at the expense of their own careers and future goals,” said Sen. Moran. “Veterans, caregivers and VA staff in Kansas and across the country have expressed to me the challenges these family caregivers face as they transition back into the workforce or retirement once their caregiving responsibilities end. This legislation would provide support and practical tools to help family caregivers find their footing after their veteran loved one passes away, regains independence or transitions to a higher level of care.”

“Family caregivers provide critical care to their veteran loved ones, and when their time as a caregiver concludes, it is often difficult for them to transition back to work or into retirement,” said Sen.  Hirono. “This legislation will help to ensure VA provides important resources to these caregivers when their services are no longer needed, including employment assistance, retirement planning, and bereavement counseling. I’m proud to introduce this bill in gratitude of the invaluable support that family caregivers provide to our country’s veterans.”

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

"Quality of Life Foundation is thankful that Senators Moran and Hirono have taken the economic plight of veteran family caregivers seriously,” said Andrea Sawyer, Advocacy Director for the Wounded Veteran Family Care Program of the Quality of Life Foundation. “The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act would allow caregivers the opportunity to address economic concerns that have plagued veteran caregivers since time began. We voluntarily leave our jobs to care for our warriors at a much younger age than most caregivers leave the workspace. We do so at great economic impact to ourselves, but with love and devotion for our warriors. This bill would address economic concerns that veteran caregivers face when their caregiving years end by allowing them financial assistance to regain their professional certificates lost while caregiving, allow them to fill positions take advantage of Department of Labor returnships and fill VA personal care positions, and study the creation of retirement savings vehicles for caregivers that do not currently exist due to the unearned income status of VA family caregivers.  The passage of this legislation would have a large economic impact on those caregivers who save the VA millions of dollars a year while caring for their loved ones and our nation's injured and ill veterans."

“Just as our veterans answered the call to serve our nation, their caregivers also answered the call to step up and serve them,” said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), the President and Chief Executive Officer of Military Officers Association of America. “These dedicated individuals put their own futures on hold—sacrificing financial security, career advancement, and personal well-being—to fulfill the nations promise to take care of our veterans and provide the care veterans deserve. Yet, when their caregiving roles end—whether due to ineligibility for VA caregiver program services or the passing of their loved one—many are left without the support they need to rebuild their lives. The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act is not just an act of gratitude—it’s part of fulfilling a promise on behalf of our nation. MOAA deeply appreciates Senators Moran and Hirono for once again championing this vital legislation, and we urge Congress to support those who stepped up and sacrificed so much.”

“At the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, we are dedicated to growing and sustaining the economic mobility of military and veteran caregivers, their veterans, and families” said Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “We know, however, from our latest RAND study that too many military and veteran caregiving families are struggling financially and are unable to plan for retirement, find suitable employment, or access educational opportunities. Therefore, we are so pleased to see the introduction of the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act to address these critical needs, and we thank Chairman Moran and Senator Hirono for their ongoing commitment to supporting our nation’s military and veteran caregivers.”