SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 82

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 14, 2018

      The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Resolution No. 82.

      This House urges Congress to enact the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act.  The Survivor Benefit Plan annuity is purchased insurance and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is paid for service-caused death.  The offset has been an unfair penalty that cuts earned benefits to military survivors.  Current policy allows for approximately $1,258 per month to be off-set from a surviving spouse’s pay, a defined insurance benefit.  This offset, a $15,095 annual reduction of deserved benefits, is a substantial burden for many surviving military families.  Our nation’s military personnel risk their lives to defend our nation and our freedoms.  They should be able to trust that the benefits they designate for their families will be provided.