Number: RL32769
Title: Military Death Benefits: Status and Proposals
Authors: David F. Burrelli and Jennifer R. Corwell, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: This report describes the various death benefits from the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Social Security available to certain survivors of members of the Armed Forces who die on active duty. (This report does not consider benefits available to civilian employees of the Department of Defense.) Benefits are listed, along with their purpose, how they are calculated, and where appropriate, recent changes. Finally, two hypothetical examples for determining a level of death benefits; a Government Accountability Office (GAO) summary comparing military and other death related benefits; and, congressional language from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 National Defense Authorization Act are presented in the Appendices.
Pages: 18
Date: March 26, 2008