Approximately 14.3 million Americans voluntarily care for their loved ones who have served in the military. Many of these caregivers provide around-the-clock support, which includes managing medications, helping with treatment and daily activities, as well as attending to mental health needs.
The welfare of these veteran caregivers is a crucial concern for our nation, as studies indicate that veterans often fare better when they remain at home. Moreover, family caregivers contribute significantly—over $400 billion in unpaid care—placing a substantial financial strain on taxpayers.
Still, the responsibilities of caregiving can become an overwhelming burden, forcing many to pause their careers, forgo income, and often risking their professional licenses. Some even find it challenging to re-enter the workforce later on. Thankfully, there’s an opportunity in Congress to mitigate this burden through bipartisan efforts aimed at re-education, re-hiring, and retirement legislation for veteran caregivers.
The proposed Act seeks to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in restoring financial independence for caregivers. It would require the Department to cover professional accreditation and relicensing fees and improve access to existing federal employment assistance programs. Additionally, it plans to enhance health insurance and bereavement counseling resources that caregivers rely on, while also contemplating the potential for individual retirement savings plans for them.
Worryingly, a third of families caring for military and veteran members live below the federal poverty line. Food insecurity is alarmingly prevalent, affecting up to 40% of individuals under 60, many of whom are veterans since 9/11, with two-thirds struggling to manage their bills.
A program initiated by Congress back in 2012 offered monthly scholarships via the Department of Veterans Affairs for caregivers facing the most complex challenges. But these scholarships aren’t classified as income for Social Security or retirement plans, which makes it hard for caregivers to build a safety net. Often, these scholarships cease shortly after a caregiver stops their role, which typically coincides with the passing of the veteran in their care.
During periods of difficulty, caregivers frequently find themselves at a disadvantage professionally and often lack sufficient savings.
Andrea Sawyer, advocacy director at The Quality Life Foundation and a former caregiver, has highlighted these critical gaps. Nearly two decades ago, she began caring for her husband, an Army veteran dealing with severe PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. Her caregiving duties led her to leave her educational career, resulting in the loss of her National Professional Education Standards Certificate and multiple state licenses, which are highly valued in the field. After stepping away from caregiving in 2021, she faced significant costs to renew her licenses, coupled with the loss of 15 years of retirement contributions and an advanced professional status.
Likewise, Sean Lopez was just starting his career as a geologist, having invested almost a decade into his education, when military toxic exposure led to his veteran father suffering a stroke and kidney cancer. For six years, Lopez managed everything—monitoring his father’s alarms at night and coordinating hospital visits. After his father’s passing this spring, Lopez had to handle the final arrangements while knowing that his VA scholarship would end, making his transition back to work all the more daunting.
These personal accounts, like those of Sawyer and Lopez, underline the pressing need for Congress to advance the bipartisan legislation concerning veteran caregivers’ re-education, re-hiring, and retirement.
We can’t expect caregivers to dedicate themselves while delivering immense value in care without adequate support. Enacting reforms related to veteran caregivers’ education and retirement can substantively address these pressing issues, fostering the support that caregivers truly need.
In light of the sacrifices made by military and veteran caregivers, we shouldn’t delay in pursuing this vital legislation.
