An old Army buddy of mine passed away a week before Christmas. He was survived by his wife. He was 61 and she is 57. He served 20+ years active duty from 1968 thru about 1989. Honorable dishcarge. Not exactly sure what VA "rating" he got after retirement.

He did not opt in to the Survivor Benefit Plan.

His wife called and asked me if she would get to keep her ID, commissary/PX priviledges and Tricare insurance.

Not sure, but I feel like he was drawing some sort of SS disability along with his DOD/VA monthly checks.

What are her options and what is she going to be able to keep?

Thanks in advance for all info.

Lee

Since he did not opt for the SBP I think she is out of luck on the pension, or the reduced annuity offered under the SBP.

As I understand it she keeps the dep. ID card, TriCare, Exchange/Commisary priveleges for the rest of her life unless she remarries.

Most active duty Army installations have Family/Dependent Support organizations with counselors familiar with these issues, getting her to the closet one is probably the best thing to do. I have no idea on the VA, but it seems they should have counselors available also.

Thanks for helping her through this difficult time, facing some of these issues right after the loss of a spouse must be very had.

__________________
William H. Smith

Lee, she should get to keep all benefits, I.D. card, commissary, BX/PX and health care. I have sent you a PM with a two page checklist. It's geared towards USAF but also has the phone numbers on the 2nd page for other branches of service. If the form doesn't come through you can e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll send it as an email attachment. Hope this helps, and prayers and condolences to the widow. Paul

__________________
USAF Retired IYAAYAS

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

I did a little "google" on it and found some info that is confusing as well as disgusting. Sound like hse will loose ID, PC/comm priveldges and Tricare unless John was 100% disable at time of retirement or that he died of a "service-related illness or injury". Something about qualifying for CHAMPVA, but the above also was required for her to be eligible for that.

Like you, I'm 99% sure she'll get no DOD or VA pension. I think she might be in luck with his SS diasability though.

He left 5 kids, so the wife will have plenty of back up and support. 4 out of the 5 kids live within 20 miles of her.

XXXXXXX

Thanks brother. I appreciate it.

Lee

Contact the Casualty Assistance Office at the nearest military installation. She should be provided a Survivor Assistance Officer. Any problems with that-contact the Generals office at that installation-if that is a problem call a congress person.

The installation should bust its rear to help her out.
Yes she retains her PX and Commissary priviledges.
"They" should treat her with honor and respect-anything less does not meet the standard.

Sorry to hear about your friend,

11B is right, contact the Casualty Assistance officer at the nearest base. My dad was a retired lifer, 100% VA disabled. Mom got to keep her base privileges, gets I think it's 55% of dad's VA pension since he was 100% disabled and it was ruled service connected.

Don't let her give up without making sure all of her benefits are protected, also as 11B said, if all else fails, contact her local representative's field office. We found the casualty assistance officer of immense help, as well as the local VA rep, couldn't have done it without them.

Thanks for the info guys. Sent copies of forms (emails) and best advice I could. Her oldest son is pretty sharp and assures me he is on top of it.

SC

1.800.342.9647 is the number for Military One Source. It's printed on some of the bags from the comm. It's a useful number to keep handy since it can provide a central point for many resources and questions for military members, spouses, etc.

My father was in the Naval Reserve for about 35 years
(Made W-4)
Other that his 2 weeks a year he Never saw Active Duty
He died in 2002 and was not disabled
(other than the Alzheimers)

My mother has an ID, gets Tricare and has base PX priviledges

So, if my mom still got to keep her benefits
I would think the widow of a 20 year retiree should also
Unless its tied to the Survivor Benefit Plan

I'm an IG. Shot you a PM.

Definitely consult the casualty affairs section of the nearest base. The spouse will retain ID cards for life, providing she doesn't remarry. The ID card authorizes Commissary and Echange. The spouse, had to decline the Survivor Benefit Pay (SBP) at discharge, not the military member. Might be worth checking into it. Not sure about Tricare, see the base/post Tricare Office.