The Why
Why David Dusl began advocating for greater financial freedom for severely disabled veterans and their families.
Time changes what retirement means.
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to learn about this effort. I am a U.S. Navy veteran working to help fellow service-connected disabled veterans and their spouses live fuller lives.
After the Navy, I went to college, built a career, married, and raised a family. Like many families, my wife and I worked hard and saved for retirement. Our son lives with disabilities that require ongoing supervised care, and my own service-connected illness has made steady employment and long-term planning much harder.
When I speak with veterans at the VA and online, I hear similar stories: disability changes earning capacity, increases family responsibilities, and can shorten the years a veteran has to use the savings they spent a lifetime building. A 2021 pilot study of 100% service-connected veterans put the average age at death at about 67.
The DUSL Act is about allowing eligible veterans and families to use their own money to live.
The proposal would let eligible veterans access qualifying retirement savings without federal tax or early-withdrawal penalties, with safeguards intended to protect benefits and support spouses. That flexibility could help modify a home, cover unexpected expenses, support a child, or create meaningful time with family.
Thank you for helping veterans’ experiences be heard.
David personally supports the travel and work required to advance this effort. Those who wish to help with those costs may visit the GoFundMe page.
