Captain James C. Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act

12/15/2023, 3:54 PM

Captain James C. Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act

This bill addresses restrictions on benefits for surviving spouses of service members.

Specifically, the bill prohibits the termination of the payment of an annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan for certain surviving spouses of service members who died while on active duty solely because the surviving spouse remarries. The Department of Defense must resume payment of an annuity to surviving spouses who remarried before the age of 55 and before the enactment of this bill.

The remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran does not bar the provision of dependency and indemnity compensation, regardless of their age when they remarried. The Department of Veterans Affairs must resume payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses who remarried before the age of 57 prior to the enactment of this bill.

Congress
118

Number
HR - 854

Introduced on
2023-02-06

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

2/6/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Captain James C. Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act

This bill addresses restrictions on benefits for surviving spouses of service members.

Specifically, the bill prohibits the termination of the payment of an annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan for certain surviving spouses of service members who died while on active duty solely because the surviving spouse remarries. The Department of Defense must resume payment of an annuity to surviving spouses who remarried before the age of 55 and before the enactment of this bill.

The remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran does not bar the provision of dependency and indemnity compensation, regardless of their age when they remarried. The Department of Veterans Affairs must resume payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses who remarried before the age of 57 prior to the enactment of this bill.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to expand certain benefits for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die in line of duty, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Marriage and family status
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary8/11/2023

Captain James C. Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act

This bill addresses restrictions on benefits for surviving spouses of service members.

Specifically, the bill prohibits the termination of the payment of an annuity ...


Latest Action3/29/2023
Subcommittee Hearings Held.