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Does spouse get military retirement after death?

Does Spouse Get Military Retirement After Death?

Losing a loved one in service to their country can be a devastating experience, and it’s natural to wonder about the benefits they left behind. One question that often arises is: Does the spouse get military retirement after death? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide a comprehensive overview of the military survivor benefits.

Direct Answer

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Yes, a surviving spouse of a military retiree can receive a military retirement benefit, but the specific benefits and eligibility criteria vary depending on the individual circumstances.

Military Survivor Benefits

The military offers various survivor benefits to help provide financial security to the family of a deceased service member or retiree. Some of the key benefits include:

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A tax-free monthly payment made to eligible survivors of deceased veterans, including spouses and dependent children.
  • Revised Survivor Benefits Plan (RSBP): A pension benefit paid to the spouse of a deceased military retiree, with options for full or reduced payment.
  • Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI): A term life insurance program that provides coverage for surviving spouses and dependents.

Eligibility for Survivor Benefits

To be eligible for military survivor benefits, the spouse must have been married to the deceased service member or retiree at the time of death or within a certain time frame (usually 12-24 months) prior to death. The eligibility criteria also depend on the individual circumstances, such as:

  • Service-Connected Death: If the service member died as a result of a service-related injury or illness, their spouse may be eligible for DIC and other benefits.
  • Non-Service-Connected Death: If the service member died due to a non-service-related injury or illness, their spouse may still be eligible for some benefits, but not DIC.
  • Pre-1996 Death: Surviving spouses of service members who died before 1996 may be eligible for a different set of benefits, including the Surviving Spouse Pension Benefit.

RSBP Calculation

The Revised Survivor Benefits Plan (RSBP) calculates the survivor benefit using the following formula:

RSBP CalculatorCalculation Formula
Service Component55% of the retiree’s monthly pay
Combat Zone PayAdd an additional 10% if the retiree received combat zone pay
Combat Related Special PayAdd an additional 10% if the retiree received combat-related special pay

The resulting benefit amount will be the maximum of either:

  • 55% of the retiree’s monthly pay
  • The full benefit amount calculated above

Table: RSBP Calculation Example

Retiree’s Monthly PayService ComponentCombat Zone PayCombat Related Special PayTotal RSBP
$4,000$2,200$440$440$3,080

In this example, the RSBP benefit would be $3,080 per month.

Conclusion

While losing a loved one is never easy, the military survivor benefits can provide financial support to the spouse and family. It’s essential to understand the eligibility criteria, calculation formulas, and benefit options to ensure the best possible outcome. As seen in this article, the Revised Survivor Benefits Plan (RSBP) offers a specific benefit amount to surviving spouses of deceased military retirees, with options for full or reduced payment.

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