Politics & Government
Pensions For RI Military Veterans Now State Tax Free
Gov. Dan McKee also signed a law waiving adoption fees for Rhode Island veterans to adopt dogs and cats from public shelters.
RHODE ISLAND — Gov. Dan McKee signed a legislative package Friday supporting military veterans in Rhode Island.
Most significantly, Rhode Island will no longer tax military service pensions at the state level. Rhode Island is now no longer the regional outlier in this regard. Prior to its passage, Rhode Island was just one of our states to tax military pensions.
"As I travel the state, talking with veterans, active duty, guard and reservists and military families is always a high point," McKee said in a statement. "Veterans want to continue to make the Ocean State their home and remain a part of the communities and places that matter to them. Now, when military retirees look at where they want to move after service, Rhode Island will be at the top of that list."
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According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than half of military retirees are under the age of 65. The U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Actuary, said there were 5,252 military retirees living in Rhode Island in federal fiscal year 2019. Of those veterans, 4,845 were paid by the U.S. Department of Defense.
"Ending taxation of military service pensions is not only the right thing to in recognition of the many Rhode Islanders who fought courageously for our freedom, but it's also an investment in our state's workforce," said Office of Veterans Services Director Kasim Yarn. "This change will allow us to retain top-tier talent which can drive Rhode Island's economy forward. Military retirees bring a wealth of knowledge and backgrounds, benefitting Rhode Island in innumerable ways."
Find out what's happening in Cranstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Other military-related legislation signed included:
- Allowing Purple Heart recipients to receive up to two sets of special license plates, indicating their award.
- Making it a crime to knowingly benefit from false statements about military service
- Creating a special license plate for recipients of the U.S. Bronze Star Medal
- Waiving adoption fees for veterans to adopt a dog or cat from a public animal shelter.
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