Oliver North's military pension is a result of his 22-year career in the US Marine Corps. He enlisted in 1962 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1968.
North's pension is based on his rank at the time of his retirement, which was lieutenant colonel. This rank determines the level of his pension benefits.
As a veteran, North is eligible for a range of benefits, including healthcare and education assistance.
Oliver North Military Pension Controversy
Oliver North was stripped of his $23,000 military pension due to his convictions in the Iran-Contra scandal.
The Navy accepted a General Accounting Office ruling to strip Oliver North of his pension, which amounted to $1,900 per month or $23,000 annually.
North was convicted of destroying documents, accepting an illegal gift, and aiding the obstruction of Congress in charges stemming from the secret 1985-86 arms sales to Iran and the diversion of profits to the Nicaraguan Contra rebels.
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The crux of the argument was whether one of the three felony convictions affected North's status as a retired U.S. officer and his retirement pay.
The Navy suspended North's pension July 5, the day he was sentenced for his role in the Iran-Contra coverup.
North can still receive medical and commissary benefits, but the GAO said he can always seek to recover his retired pay by filing suit against the government.
The Senate voted to change federal law and allow retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver L. North to receive his $23,000 annual pension despite a felony conviction for shredding government documents.
The vote was 78 to 17, with proponents arguing that denying North his pension was an unfair interpretation of a federal law that never had been applied before to a retired military officer.
North was on the lecture circuit for $25,000 a speech, making him hardly a pauper.
The Senate voted the next day to request its Judiciary Committee to investigate the dispute and recommend whether legislation was needed to restore North’s pension.
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Oliver North's Pension Status
Oliver North is no longer entitled to his $23,000 military pension due to his convictions in the Iran-Contra scandal.
The Navy accepted a final General Accounting Office (GAO) ruling to strip North of his pension, which he had been receiving since his retirement in 1988 after 20 years of active service in the Marines.
His pension was suspended on July 5, the day he was sentenced for his role in the Iran-Contra coverup, as a precaution by the Navy.
North's conviction for destroying official government documents, one of the three felony convictions, was the crux of the argument over whether he should continue to receive his retired pay.
The GAO's general counsel, James Hinchman, concluded that there is serious doubt that a retired regular officer convicted of violating subsection 2071(b) continues to be entitled to retired pay.
North can still receive medical and commissary benefits, and he has the right to sue for his retired pay if he chooses to do so.
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