SUBCHAPTER II—FORFEITURE OF ANNUITIES AND RETIRED PAY
§8311. Definitions
For the purpose of this subchapter—
(1) "employee" means—
(A) an employee as defined by
(B) a Member of Congress as defined by
(C) a member or former member of a uniformed service; and
(D) an individual employed by the government of the District of Columbia;
(2) "annuity" means a retirement benefit, including a disability insurance benefit and a dependent's or survivor's benefit under subchapter II of
(A) a benefit provided under statutes administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(B) pay or compensation which may not be diminished under section 1 of Article III of the Constitution of the United States;
(C) that portion of a benefit payable under subchapter II of
(D) monthly annuity awarded under
(E) that portion of an annuity awarded under
(F) a retirement benefit, including a disability insurance benefit and a dependent's or survivor's benefit under subchapter II of
(i) was convicted of an offense named by subsection (b) of
(ii) violated
(G) a retirement benefit, including a disability insurance benefit and a dependent's or survivor's benefit under subchapter II of
(i) was convicted of an offense named by subsection (c) of
(ii) violated
(3) "retired pay" means retired pay, retirement pay, retainer pay, or equivalent pay, payable under a statute to a member or former member of a uniformed service, and an annuity payable to an eligible beneficiary of the member or former member under
(A) a benefit provided under statutes administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(B) retired pay, retirement pay, retainer pay, or equivalent pay, awarded before September 1, 1954, to an individual, insofar as the individual, before September 1, 1954—
(i) was convicted of an offense named by subsection (b) of
(ii) violated
(C) retired pay, retirement pay, retainer pay, or equivalent pay, awarded before September 26, 1961, to an individual, insofar as the individual, before September 26, 1961—
(i) was convicted of an offense named by subsection (c) of
(ii) violated
(D) an annuity payable to an eligible beneficiary of an individual under
(i) was convicted of an offense named by
(ii) violated
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
The words "and
In paragraph (1)(A), the words "an employee as defined by
In paragraph (1)(B), the reference to "Resident Commissioner" is omitted as included in "Member of Congress" in view of the definition of "Member of Congress" in section 2106.
In paragraph (1)(C), the words "uniformed service" are coextensive with and substituted for "armed forces, the Coast and Geodetic Survey, or the Public Health Service" in view of the definition of "uniformed services" in section 2101.
In paragraph (3), the words "uniformed service" are coextensive with and substituted for "armed forces, the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the Public Health Service" in view of the definition of "uniformed services" in section 2101.
The definition of "armed forces" in former section 2281(4) is omitted as unnecessary in view of the definition of "armed forces" in section 2101.
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Subchapter II of
Section 5 of the Uniformed Services Contingency Option Act of 1953 (
Amendments
1991—Pars. (2)(A), (3)(A).
§8312. Conviction of certain offenses
(a) An individual, or his survivor or beneficiary, may not be paid annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual which is creditable toward the annuity or retired pay, subject to the exceptions in section 8311(2) and (3) of this title, if the individual—
(1) was convicted, before, on, or after September 1, 1954, of an offense named by subsection (b) of this section, to the extent provided by that subsection; or
(2) was convicted, before, on, or after September 26, 1961, of an offense named by subsection (c) of this section, to the extent provided by that subsection.
The prohibition on payment of annuity or retired pay applies—
(A) with respect to the offenses named by subsection (b) of this section, to the period after the date of the conviction or after September 1, 1954, whichever is later; and
(B) with respect to the offenses named by subsection (c) of this section, to the period after the date of conviction or after September 26, 1961, whichever is later.
(b) The following are the offenses to which subsection (a) of this section applies if the individual was convicted before, on, or after September 1, 1954:
(1) An offense within the purview of—
(A) section 792 (harboring or concealing persons), 793 (gathering, transmitting, or losing defense information), 794 (gathering or delivering defense information to aid foreign government), or 798 (disclosure of classified information), of
(B)
(C) section 2381 (treason), 2382 (misprision of treason), 2383 (rebellion or insurrection), 2384 (seditious conspiracy), 2385 (advocating overthrow of government), 2387 (activities affecting armed forces generally), 2388 (activities affecting armed forces during war), 2389 (recruiting for service against United States), or 2390 (enlistment to serve against United States), of
(D) section 10(b)(2), (3), or (4) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (
(E) section 16(a) or (b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (
(F) an earlier statute on which a statute named by subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of this paragraph (1) is based.
(2) An offense within the purview of—
(A) article 104 (aiding the enemy), article 103a (espionage), or article 106 (spies) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (
(B) a current article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (or an earlier article on which the current article is based) not named by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph (2) on the basis of charges and specifications describing a violation of a statute named by paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of this subsection, if the executed sentence includes death, dishonorable discharge, or dismissal from the service, or if the defendant dies before execution of that sentence as finally approved.
(3) Perjury committed under the statutes of the United States or the District of Columbia—
(A) in falsely denying the commission of an act which constitutes an offense within the purview of—
(i) a statute named by paragraph (1) of this subsection; or
(ii) an article or statute named by paragraph (2) of this subsection insofar as the offense is within the purview of an article or statute named by paragraph (1) or (2) (A) of this subsection;
(B) in falsely testifying before a Federal grand jury, court of the United States, or court-martial with respect to his service as an employee in connection with a matter involving or relating to an interference with or endangerment of, or involving or relating to a plan or attempt to interfere with or endanger, the national security or defense of the United States; or
(C) in falsely testifying before a congressional committee in connection with a matter under inquiry before the congressional committee involving or relating to an interference with or endangerment of, or involving or relating to a plan or attempt to interfere with or endanger, the national security or defense of the United States.
(4) Subornation of perjury committed in connection with the false denial or false testimony of another individual as specified by paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(c) The following are the offenses to which subsection (a) of this section applies if the individual was convicted before, on, or after September 26, 1961:
(1) An offense within the purview of—
(A) section 2272 (violation of specific sections) or 2273 (violation of sections generally of
(B) section 2274 (communication of restricted data), 2275 (receipt of restricted data), or 2276 (tampering with restricted data) of title 42; or
(C) section 783 (conspiracy and communication or receipt of classified information) of title 50 or section 601 of the National Security Act of 1947 (
(2) An offense within the purview of a current article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (
(3) Perjury committed under the statutes of the United States or the District of Columbia in falsely denying the commission of an act which constitutes an offense within the purview of a statute named by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(4) Subornation of perjury committed in connection with the false denial of another individual as specified by paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(d)(1) For purposes of subsections (b)(1) and (c)(1), an offense within the meaning of such subsections is established if the Attorney General of the United States certifies to the agency administering the annuity or retired pay concerned—
(A) that an individual subject to this chapter has been convicted by an impartial court of appropriate jurisdiction within a foreign country in circumstances in which the conduct violates the provisions of law enumerated in subsections (b)(1) and (c)(1), or would violate such provisions had such conduct taken place within the United States, and that such conviction is not being appealed or that final action has been taken on such appeal;
(B) that such conviction was obtained in accordance with procedures that provided the defendant due process rights comparable to such rights provided by the United States Constitution, and such conviction was based upon evidence which would have been admissible in the courts of the United States; and
(C) that such conviction occurred after the date of enactment of this subsection.
(2) Any certification made pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to review by the United States Court of Claims based upon the application of the individual concerned, or his or her attorney, alleging that any of the conditions set forth in subparagraphs 2 (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1), as certified by the Attorney General, have not been satisfied in his or her particular circumstances. Should the court determine that any of these conditions has not been satisfied in such case, the court shall order any annuity or retirement benefit to which the person concerned is entitled to be restored and shall order that any payments which may have been previously denied or withheld to be paid by the department or agency concerned.
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pars. (2), (3) and (4) of subsec. (b) of section 10 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (
Subsecs. (a) and (b) of section 16 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (
Articles 104, 106, and 106a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), are sections 904, 906, and 906a, respectively, of Title 10, Armed Forces. The Uniform Code of Military Justice, in its entirety, is set out in
The National Security Act of 1947, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(C), is act July 26, 1947, ch. 343,
The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(C), is the date of enactment of
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
1994—Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (d).
1986—Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
1971—Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Section 639(b) of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "subparagraph".
§8313. Absence from the United States to avoid prosecution
(a) An individual, or his survivor or beneficiary, may not be paid annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual which is creditable toward the annuity or retired pay, subject to the exceptions in section 8311(2) and (3) of this title, if the individual—
(1) is under indictment, or has outstanding against him charges preferred under the Uniform Code of Military Justice—
(A) after July 31, 1956, for an offense named by
(B) after September 26, 1961, for an offense named by
(2) willfully remains outside the United States, or its territories and possessions including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, for more than 1 year with knowledge of the indictment or charges, as the case may be.
(b) The prohibition on payment of annuity or retired pay under subsection (a) of this section applies to the period after the end of the 1-year period and continues until—
(1) a nolle prosequi to the entire indictment is entered on the record or the charges are dismissed by competent authority;
(2) the individual returns and thereafter the indictment or charges is or are dismissed; or
(3) after trial by court or court-martial, the accused is found not guilty of the offense or offenses.
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Uniform Code of Military Justice, referred to in text, is classified to
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Suspension of Payment of Retired Pay of Members Who Are Absent From United States To Avoid Prosecution
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
§8314. Refusal to testify
(a) An individual, or his survivor or beneficiary, may not be paid annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual which is creditable toward the annuity or retired pay, subject to the exceptions in section 8311(2) and (3) of this title, if the individual, before, on, or after September 1, 1954, refused or refuses, or knowingly and willfully failed or fails, to appear, testify, or produce a book, paper, record, or other document, relating to his service as an employee, before a Federal grand jury, court of the United States, court-martial, or congressional committee, in a proceeding concerning—
(1) his past or present relationship with a foreign government; or
(2) a matter involving or relating to an interference with or endangerment of, or involving or relating to a plan or attempt to interfere with or endanger, the national security or defense of the United States.
(b) The prohibition on payment of annuity or retired pay under subsection (a) of this section applies to the period after the date of the failure or refusal of the individual, or after September 1, 1954, whichever is later.
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
§8315. Falsifying employment applications
(a) An individual, or his survivor or beneficiary, may not be paid annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual which is creditable toward the annuity or retired pay, subject to the exceptions in section 8311(2) and (3) of this title, if the individual knowingly and willfully made or makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, or knowingly and willfully concealed or conceals a material fact—
(1) before, on, or after September 1, 1954, concerning his—
(A) past or present membership in, affiliation or association with, or support of the Communist Party, or a chapter, branch, or subdivision thereof, in or outside the United States, or other organization, party, or group advocating—
(i) the overthrow, by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means, of the Government of the United States;
(ii) the establishment, by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means, of a Communist totalitarian dictatorship in the United States; or
(iii) the right to strike against the United States;
(B) conviction of an offense named by subsection (b) of
(C) failure or refusal to appear, testify, or produce a book, paper, record, or other document, as specified by
(2) before, on, or after September 26, 1961, concerning his conviction of an offense named by subsection (c) of
in a document executed by the individual in connection with his employment in, or application for, a civilian or military office or position in or under the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia.
(b) The prohibition on the payment of annuity or retired pay applies—
(1) with respect to matters specified by subsection (a)(1) of this section, to the period after the statement, representation, or concealment of fact is made or occurs, or after September 1, 1954, whichever is later; and
(2) with respect to matters specified by subsection (a)(2) of this section, to the period after the statement, representation, or concealment of fact is made or occurs, or after September 26, 1961, whichever is later.
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
§8316. Refund of contributions and deposits
(a) When payment of annuity or retired pay is denied under this subchapter because an individual was convicted of an offense named by
(1) the amount, except employment taxes, contributed by the individual toward the annuity, less the amount previously refunded or paid as annuity benefits; and
(2) deposits made under
shall be refunded, on appropriate application therefor—
(A) to the individual;
(B) if the individual is dead, to the beneficiary designated to receive refunds by or under the statute, regulation, or agreement under which the annuity, the benefits of which are denied under this subchapter, would have been payable; or
(C) if a beneficiary is not designated, in the order of precedence prescribed by
(b) A refund under subsection (a) of this section shall be made with interest at the rate and for the period provided under the statute, regulation, or agreement under which the annuity would have been payable. However, interest may not be computed—
(1) if the individual was convicted of an offense named by
(2) if the individual was convicted of an offense named by
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
||
Sept. 26, 1961, |
This section is reorganized for clarity and conciseness.
The words "and
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 5 of the Uniform Services Contingency Option Act of 1953 (
§8317. Repayment of annuity or retired pay properly paid; waiver
(a) An individual, or his survivor or beneficiary, to whom payment of annuity is denied under this subchapter is not thereafter required to repay that part of the annuity otherwise properly paid to the individual, or to his survivor or beneficiary on the basis of the service of the individual, which is in excess of the aggregate amount of the contributions of the individual toward the annuity, with applicable interest.
(b) An individual, including an eligible beneficiary under
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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(a) | Sept. 26, 1961, |
|
(b) | Sept. 26, 1961, |
The words "and
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 5 of the Uniformed Services Contingency Option Act of 1953 (
§8318. Restoration of annuity or retired pay
(a) If an individual who was convicted, before, on, or after September 1, 1954, of—
(1) an offense named by
(2) an offense constituting a violation of
is pardoned by the President, the right of the individual and his survivor or beneficiary to receive annuity or retired pay previously denied under this subchapter is restored as of the date of the pardon.
(b) The President may restore, effective as of the date he prescribes, the right to receive annuity or retired pay which is denied, before, on, or after September 1, 1954, under
(c) Payment of annuity or retired pay which results from pardon or restoration by the President under subsection (a) or (b) of this section may not be made for a period before—
(1) the date of pardon referred to by subsection (a) of this section; or
(2) the effective date of restoration referred to by subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Credit for a period of service covered by a refund under
(e) The spouse of an individual whose annuity or retired pay is forfeited under section 8312 or 8313 after the date of enactment of this subsection shall be eligible for spousal pension benefits if the Attorney General of the United States determines that the spouse fully cooperated with Federal authorities in the conduct of a criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution of the individual which resulted in such forfeiture.
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
The section is reorganized for clarity and conciseness.
The words "and
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (e), is the date of enactment of
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (e).
§8319. Removal of members of the uniformed services from rolls; restoration; reappointment
(a) The President may drop from the rolls a member of a uniformed service who is deprived of retired pay under this subchapter.
(b) The President may restore—
(1) military status to an individual dropped from the rolls to whom retired pay is restored under this subchapter or under section 2 of the Act of September 26, 1961 (
(2) all rights and privileges to the individual and his beneficiaries of which he or they were deprived because his name was dropped from the rolls.
(c) If the individual restored was a commissioned officer, the President alone may reappoint him to the grade and position on the retired list held when his name was dropped from the rolls.
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
The words "and
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 2 of the Act of September 26, 1961 (
§8320. Offense or violation committed in compliance with orders
When it is established by satisfactory evidence that an individual—
(1) was convicted of an offense named by
(2) violated
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
The reference to conviction of an offense which constitutes a violation of former section 2283 (which is carried into this title as sections 8314 and 8315) is omitted as being covered by the words "violated
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
§8321. Liability of accountable employees
An accountable employee may not be held responsible for a payment made in violation of this subchapter when the payment made is in due course and without fraud, collusion, or gross negligence.
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
The words "and
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
§8322. Effect on other statutes
This subchapter does not restrict authority under a statute, other than this subchapter, to deny or withhold benefits authorized by statute.
(
Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
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Sept. 26, 1961, |
The words "and
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Retroactive Restoration of Annuity and Retired Pay; Redeposits of Contributions and Offsets
Section 2 of
"(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, any person, including his survivor or beneficiary, to whom annuity or retired pay is not payable under the Act of September 1, 1954 [this subchapter], as in effect at any time prior to the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 26, 1961], by reason of any conviction of an offense, any commission of a violation, any refusal to answer, or any absence under indictment, or under charges, for any offense, shall be restored the right to receive such annuity or retired pay for any and all periods for which he would have had the right to receive such annuity or retired pay if the Act of September 1, 1954 [this subchapter], had not been enacted, unless, under the amendment made by the first section of this Act [amending former
"(b) No annuity accrued or accruing, prior to, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 26, 1961], on account of the restoration, by reason of the amendment made by the first section of this Act [amending former