President Trump Signs Medal of Honor Act, Boosting Monthly Pension for Nation’s Highest-Decorated Veterans

Washington, D.C. — President Trump on Monday signed H.R. 695, the Medal of Honor Act, a bipartisan measure that substantially increases the special monthly pension paid to living Medal of Honor recipients and updates how that benefit is calculated.

Under the law, the Department of Veterans Affairs must raise the pension to an amount equal to the monthly compensation for a veteran without dependents rated under 38 U.S.C. §1114(m), then increase it to the next intermediate rate under §1114(p). This replaces the previous fixed rate of $1,406.73 per month and links future benefit levels directly to the VA compensation schedule.

Congress wrote that recipients “have earned a substantial and historic increase” in recognition of “conspicuous gallantry, unwavering commitment, and heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty.” The Act reaffirms the Medal of Honor’s status as the nation’s highest military decoration and notes that the pension has been paid since its establishment under 38 U.S.C. §1562.

The law also prevents multiple automatic increases in a single year, directing the VA not to apply the annual adjustment if the pension has already been increased through another mechanism during that same year.

In a separate provision, Congress extended existing limits on certain pension payments under 38 U.S.C. §5503(d)(7), changing the expiration date from November 30, 2031, to January 31, 2033.

The measure passed with broad support and took effect upon the president’s signature.