Lifelong financial security
The Legion advocates for lifelong financial security
for ill and injured Veterans
For the most seriously ill and injured Veterans, those who are unable to work again and whose quality of life has been
drastically impacted, their ability to lead a financially secure life and to reintegrate into civilian life has been dramatically
affected. The Royal Canadian Legion has long been advocating to ensure they have access to lifelong financial security.
Primary advocacy position(s) on this issue:
• Increase the Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) to provide 100% of pre-release income and provide IRB for life
without reducing the IRB to 70% at age 65.
• Provide financial compensation, support, education, and training to enable a family member to become a primary
caregiver.
• Eliminate the ‘marriage after 60’ clause, so that surviving spouses of Veterans who happen to be married after the
age of 60 still receive the pension and health benefits they deserve.
• We also ask that the Veteran Survivors Fund be put in place. Budget 2019 announced the fund, with a commitment of
$150 million over 5 years to support Veterans who married after the age of 60, and their spouses. It was supposed to
be implemented no later than December 31, 2020.
• Streamline access to long-term disability and vocational rehabilitation programs to ensure all Veterans have easy
access to rehabilitation and income support.