Veterans' and servicemembers' surviving spouses often face significant disruptions after the death of their loved ones. Under current law, when a surviving spouse remarries before age 55, they lose critical benefits such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments, and medical coverage under Tricare.

Survivor benefits are intended to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans and servicemembers who gave their lives in service to our nation. However, the current policy penalizes surviving spouses for rebuilding their lives through remarriage, forcing them to choose between financial stability or moving on.

The Love Lives on Act (H.R. 1004/S. 410) seeks to end this outdated and burdensome policy. This bill would allow surviving spouses who remarry at any age to retain the benefits they earned through their loved one’s service and sacrifice.

PVA Position:

Congress must pass the Love Lives On Act (H.R. 1004/S. 410), which safeguards surviving spouses, allowing them to remarry without being forced to forfeit the benefits their families earned.