Op-Ed: Why Georgia’s career military veterans deserve a retirement tax exemption
Georgia is proud to be home to so many of the brave men and women who have honorably served this nation in one of our military branches. In fact, we have the fifth largest veteran population in the country, with almost 700,000 former servicemembers and over 101,000 career military retirees currently residing in our state. They choose to work and live in the Peach State because of how we treat those who selflessly wore a uniform while defending America and our values.
From employment and educational advantages to housing and licensure benefits, Georgia is known for seeking out ways to honor and support those who have risked so much for the cause of freedom. But there is more we can and should do to support the men and women who have been willing to lay down their lives to protect our nation. That is why I am proud to support legislation that will create a retirement-income tax exemption for career military retirees in our state. This exemption will keep money in the pockets of hardworking Georgians and further our reputation as a national leader in supporting veterans.
Under this proposal, qualifying retirees will be able to exempt up to $17,500 in military retirement income, with the ability to double that to $35,000 tax free retirement income if they earn a further $17,500 from another profession. By creating this exemption, Georgia is taking an important step in giving back to those who have served while also incentivizing these highly qualified individuals to continue working in their communities when they start their second careers. Those who reenter the civilian workforce with the sought-after skills provided by the military not only strengthen our local communities, they also help to keep Georgia the No. 1 state for business.
Over the past three years, I have worked hard to turn promises made during my run for governor into promises kept. Passing this legislation will not only deliver on another key priority I shared during my campaign but will also remove a disparity between Georgia and most other states, including those that surround us. We are the only state in the region – and one of only a few in the entire country – that fully taxes our military retirees up to the age of 62, with limited provisions or exemptions. As a result, some military families and veterans choose to live in our neighboring states, while some even opt to drive across our borders to work in Georgia but live elsewhere. Others choose not to bring their businesses to or buy homes in our state at all.
As I travel around Georgia and have the honor of speaking with veterans, this issue is often the top concern they bring to my attention. As long as I am governor, we will continue to cut red tape and promote a pro-growth environment that brings opportunity to all hardworking Georgians. This is the next step in that constant effort. I’ve pursued
this goal because of this simple truth: hardworking Georgians know how to use their money better than the government, and the same is true for our military retirees.
These men and women dedicated their lives to a cause greater than themselves. They answered the call to serve, despite the sacrifices it would bring for themselves and their loved ones. Though we could never repay them in full for their service, the General Assembly and I hope to express our sincere appreciation for all that they have given through the creation of this exemption.
I look forward to fulfilling my promise from the campaign trail by seeing this legislation across the finish line and signing it into law. And at every step along the way, I will urge my fellow Georgians to take time to thank those who have served at home and abroad, on the land and sea, and in the air and space for this great country. May God continue to bless them and our great state in the days to come.