The Congressional Research Service has provided an example of cash benefits a 30-year-old spouse
of a Marine Corps corporal (E-4) killed in action would receive from the government. CRS points
out that no hypothetical situation is likely to represent “average” or “typical” benefits. In
the example, the corporal had been in the service four years. The corporal’s spouse would
receive a $12,420 death gratuity. Assuming the Corporal had maintained full Servicemembers Group
Life Insurance coverage, the spouse would receive an additional $250,000. For monthly income,
the spouse would receive $993 in Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. The spouse also would
rate a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity of $748 per month. However, because of a dollar-for-dollar
offset with DIC, the spouse would have to forfeit the entire SBP.
