Currently, Some Surviving Spouses Can Lose Survivor Benefits If They Remarry & This Bipartisan Legislation Would Change That
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced her support for the Love Lives On Act, bipartisan legislation which would allow spouses of deceased servicemembers to retain survivor benefits if they remarry. Currently, a surviving spouse under the age of 55 will lose survivor benefits if they remarry. This bipartisan bill would allow surviving spouses to retain their benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense upon remarriage at any age.
“Our nation has a responsibility to care for our military families, particularly our Gold Star families who have lost a loved one serving our nation. The least we can do is provide them with all of the benefits and support they need,” said Senator Rosen. “Due to arbitrary restrictions and red tape, some military widows and widowers are often cut off from survivor benefits if they choose to remarry. I’m joining this bipartisan legislation to change that, and ensure that Gold Star spouses retain their survivor benefits.”
The Rosen-backed Love Lives On Act has broad support from over 40 Veterans Service Organizations including Disabled Americans Veterans, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., The American Legion, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Senator Rosen continues to be a strong supporter of our nation’s servicemembers and their families. Recently, Senator Rosen joined the bipartisan Military Spouse Hiring Act to improve hiring opportunities for military spouses who often face additional barriers to employment due to frequent moves by military families. Last year, Senator Rosen helped introduce the Military Family Nutrition Access Act to support active duty military families experiencing food insecurity. She has also supported the Military Childcare Expansion Act, which would expand access to in-home care, private childcare facilities, and Department of Defense Childcare Development Centers for all military families.
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