Military Widows Still Awaiting Relief

The two armed services committees have until the Oct. 8 recess if they are to get the fiscal 2005 authorization bill out of conference before Congress recesses. Along with provisions to improve concurrent receipt, guard/reserve health care, active duty pay, and a host of other vital issues, the act includes two possible relief measures for military family members. Currently, surviving military spouses (mostly widows) who receive 55 percent of their spouses’ designated retired pay under the Survivor Benefit Plan see their annuity drop to 35 percent when they reach age 62. Many veterans