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Two Florida VA Directors Given Bonuses For Retiring

Retention bonuses are usually given to people who are being tempted away from their current positions by another, better job. That is not the case for the Directors of the Haley Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Clinic and the Bay Pines VA Medical Clinic. According to a story in The Ledger, they were paid retention bonuses right before they retired.

Neither director of Tampa Bay's two veterans hospitals claimed they asked for the money. Nevertheless, they were given a combined $65,000 in bonus money. Whether the VA decided if the two would have left their current jobs without being paid the bonuses was not determined, even though at least one claims the bonus did not "delay his retirement at all.

Both men have since retired. Both men continued to receive "retention payments" for at least 3 months following their announcement of their retirements. Many feel these bonuses should not have been paid in light of the budget issues faced, especially at the Haley VA Medical Center.

According to the VA, these types of payments are given to 57 of the 152 VA hospital directors across the natin. Further, the VA claims they are "allowed" to make such payments in order to "delay a crucial employee's retirement, even if they don't ask for it."

The VA's Inspector General, however, did state the VA must certify the person being given the retention bonus was "likely to leave their jobs without the bonuses." Whether that required step was performed here is unknown. The VA refused to supply any documentation about the bonuses.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.