“This last year was eventful for Surviving Spouses with the SBP/DIC offset ending and several new bills being presented that will increase all DIC benefits. The link to support various bills is the MOAA’s Legislative Action Center. We must work harder to gain sponsorship in 2024 for inclusion in the 2025 budget. If you have any questions about survivor issues, please let me know. Ladies, There will be a reserved table for Surviving Spouses and guests at the APRIL 2024 luncheon. Hope to see you there. Donna Henson.
Every month there are considerable articles keeping Active Duty and Retired informed of what is happening. Those surviving spouses that do not have access to website, please have a member of your family or friend access it during the month, for important links to information and assistance (Editor). Donna Henson is the Surviving Spouse Liaison. She may be contacted at: [email protected].
FEBRUARY 2024 Surviving Spouse Corner: Protect and Save Your Vital Information, by Renee Brunelle Matthews, MOAA’s Surviving Spouse Advisory Council Member.
When is it ever the right time to get your important documents and information in order? Most of us think about it after someone we care for has had an incident and/or passed away. Additionally, events such as hurricanes, fires, floods, tornadoes, and even burglary can make the actual paperwork unusable. But through MOAA partner Everplans, members have access to a platform allowing cloud-based storage of important documents and information. With controlled access to each area, we are able to share details- at a minimum, to begin the discussion about what we prefer for our health care and our final arrangements. Personally, I have signed up for Everplans Premium, which offers nine categories of information:
Personal Info and IDs: This where copies of identification-including driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, military IDs-can go. It also offers a space for vital documents, such as a marriage license.
Digital: This is quite an extensive category. It includes password management, devices, travel and transportation, ticketing, email, social media, and shopping, to name a few. Here, you can also add your username or password to any of your accounts, and note whether the account has a fee and is on auto pay..
Home and Property: You can add information about your primary and secondary residences, RV, boat, etc.
Financial: This is another extensive area for accountant information, banking accounts, investments, loans, tax returns, and insurance information for both life and disability. This would be the best place for VA benefits, as well.
Legal: Here, you will find spaces to enter attorney contact information. You can scan and upload your will, power of attorney, health care surrogate, and other advance directives. When away from home, this could be one of the most useful features to be able to easily access the digital version of these documents.
Health: Enter information about your primary and specialty doctors, allergies, vaccination records, medication list, medical devices, even a listing of medical conditions.
Family and Loved Ones: You are able to list the contact information for important people in your life, and especially important pet information. (For example, I have a credit card on file at my veterinarian’s office in case I am out of town and there is an emergency, so this is a great place to make note of something like that as well include other vital information.)
Aging: One of the wonderful subcategories is “eldercare living preferences” where you can specify whether you are OK in a shared (roommate) space, your care providers, your eldercare finances, and your long-term care insurance details.
After I’m Gone: You can write a letter to a loved one, state your preferences for final arrangements (cremation versus burial, for example), provide notes for your obituary, and save family recipes, family photos, and more. There is even a tab to discuss the genealogy of your family.
It is never too late to start sharing important information with trusted loved ones. All MOAA members can save on Everplans Premium, with discounts based on membership level and beginning at 30% off the annual fee for Basic members. Visit MOAA.org/Everplans to find out more.
MARCH 2024 Surviving Spouse Corner: Know Your Benefits, by Pat Green, MOAA Surviving Spouse Advisory Council Member.
Many states have made legislative decisions that show appreciation for the sacrifices of service members and veterans/survivors. Benefits differ in each state, though. To know what the benefits are in your state, you need to do homework. Your research could result in monetary savings and opportunities. Following are some resources and places to start.
Veterans Service Office: There might be printed materials that enumerate county and state benefits for surviving spouses.
MOAA Council and Chapter Legislative Chairs: Ask about benefits they are aware of that apply to surviving spouses.
County Property Appraiser: Ask about a homestead exemption, a widow (widower) exemption, or an over age 65 exemption on your property tax or school tax. If income caps apply, what are your state’s limits and guidelines? In Florida, for example, there is a homestead, widow, and age exemption and property taxes on homesteaded homes. In addition, the property tax for homesteaded homes of disabled veterans is reduced by the same percentage of the disabilities affecting the veteran as certified by the VA. In Florida, that benefit passes to the unremarried surviving spouse and is transportable to a downsized home.
State Legislator: If you have income tax in your state, some or all of your military retirement pay, or Surviving Benefit Plan may be deducted from your reported income. Ask about any other benefits from the state.
Mayor’s Office: Call and ask about the benefits the city offers.
MOAA’s Military State Report Card and Tax Guide: Obtain a copy of the report card and tax guide. Aside from taxes, some additional areas to explore are scholarship opportunities for surviving spouses and dependent children; state, county, or city policies giving employment and/or promotion preference to a surviving spouse; portability of a professional license or forgiveness of fees, and discounts on passes to parks and museums.
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION: (EDITOR)
MOAA Legislative Action Center: MOAA members and supporters can stay up to date on key issues affecting the military and veterans’ community by registering in the online Legislative Action Center at MOAA.org/takeaction or https//moaa.quorum.us. This online tool also makes it easy to send pre-formatted messages to your elected officials. Encourage all your network to sign up today.
Continuing Note: Hundreds of TRICARE beneficiaries have reached out to MOAA citing problems caused by the shrinking TRICARE retail pharmacy network. Now, a new House bill will require a DoD report on the network to Congress – a report offering the data lawmakers need to better understand the reduced network’s impact on military families, retirees and their families, and survivors. MOAA recently heard from a retired Air Force nurse concerned about her family’s ability to get acute medications during the winter months. Her rural Colorado town has three pharmacies, but none currently in network with TRICARE. The nearest network pharmacy is now a 40-minute drive via a mountain pass, a route with frequent closures due to heavy snow and avalanche control. Her family now faces barriers to accessing prescription medications – not because her town lacks retail pharmacies, but because the narrowed TRICARE network has eroded her benefit. A bill introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), H.R. 5150, requires a detailed report on the pharmacy network, which has been cut by more than 13,000 locations since 2022. This move created access challenges for rural residents, the elderly, and those with serious chronic medical conditions; this report will provide the data behind these challenges – data MOAA can leverage in our advocacy efforts. Neguse introduced the standalone bill after successfully submitting the same legislative language as a House floor amendment to the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). MOAA appreciates his efforts on this issue – the standalone bill allows member offices not directly involved in the NDAA process to signal support for a TRICARE pharmacy network report by co-sponsoring the legislation. Thousands of MOAA members already have reached out to their lawmakers seeking their support for a comprehensive report on pharmacy access, responding to recent MOAA advocacy campaigns and the stories of their fellow beneficiaries. Even if you’ve used our Legislative Action Center to make your voice heard on this issue, it’s important to do so again as the NDAA and other year-end bills like H.R. 5150 face procedural logjams.
Send a message, and be sure you’re subscribed (or know someone who is currently receiving) to the weekly version of The MOAA Newsletter for the latest updates on the pharmacy network and other health care issues.
Continuing Note: Surviving Spouse Corner: Thrift Savings Plan Considerations, by CAPT Kathy Thorp, USN (Ret), Surviving Spouse Advisory Council and MOAA Board of Directors Member. The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a tax-deferred retirement savings and investment plan for members of the uniformed services. When your military spouse dies, you—as the surviving spouse—will need to make many decisions about the TSP’s future in your financial planning. For spouse beneficiaries of deceased participants’ TSP accounts with a share of the balance of $200 or more, TSP will establish a beneficiary participant account (BPA) in your name. Having a good financial planner, who is particularly familiar with the TSP, is the key. He or She can guide you to the best option for your new investment plan, known now to you as a BPA. According to TSP.gov as the new owner of a TSP BPA, benefits include:
a diversified choice of investment options, including individual funds; professionally designed Lifecycle (L) Funds, which mix the individual funds with an eye toward specific target dates; and an option for investing in mutual funds
tax-deferred earnings on traditional money
tax-free earnings on Roth money if qualified
low administrative and investment expenses
the ability to roll your beneficiary participant account over to an existing civilian or uniformed services TSP account if you have one
a variety of distribution options
Learn all that you can through hosts of various veteran financial planners’ podcasts, websites such as MOAA.org, and other social platforms. The most vital of all these is the TSP webpage, where you will find a plethora of resources for your perusal.
CONTINUING NOTE Calling all Bibliophilesby Lt. Col. Suzanne Walker, USA (Ret). Summertime (Think any time of year), is a perfect time to catch up on reading. Whether e-books, turning pages of books and magazines, there are many wonderful stories to enjoy. MOAA’s reading list is available in Military Officer magazine, but another way to enjoy a good read is to join a book club. Online book clubs are very popular, and turn a solitary experience into a social party. Bookworms from across the country, and around the world, can find a platform to enjoy a conversation about a favorite book. Book club apps can match you to a group that enjoys the same kind of books. There are numerous local book clubs available in your local area, check with the local library, for locations/interests (fiction, nonfiction, biographies, self-help, humor, etc.)/contact numbers and accessibility. But you may also enjoy The Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter newly initiated book club that meets monthly. They alternate between fiction and nonfiction titles and vote as a group on the next selection to read. The conversation offers perspectives of the book that you might not have considered. The social aspect of the discussions makes reading much more fun. All Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter members are welcome to attend these gatherings monthly on ZOOM.
The MOAA Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapterwas founded in 2018. Interested in applying? Download membership materials at the chapter link. You can also join MOAA’s Surviving Spouses Facebook group (link is on page 3 of Miramar Chapter Newsletter. Check through this newsletter for other links and websites for applicable information and assistance. You may also check with local bookstores for author events in the future, and location.
Continuing Note This article is from the August 15, 2023 MOAA National Newsletter. (Edited to fit). (Editor). “My Life Has Been on Pause’: Surviving Spouses of Service Members Fight to Retain Benefits After They Remarry. Article by Svetlana Shkolnikova, originally appeared on Stripes.com. As many as 100 spouses of deceased service members descended on Capitol Hill in late September 2023 to lobby for a bill that would eliminate financial penalties imposed for decades on husbands and wives who want to remarry. Tonya Syers is getting remarried after nearly a 3 year engagement. She turns 55 and is finally free to wed w/o losing benefits her 1st husband (20 year Army veteran) earned before passing away. “I feel like my life has been on pause. We would have probably been married within a year of meeting.” But Congress decided in 1960’s that widows/widowers would lose compensation, health care, educational opportunities, commissary access and other benefits if remarrying before age 55. Now surviving spouses/advocates are asking lawmakers “make decision to undo those archaic rules, arbitrary, no science behind that age”, says (Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann, Deputy Director Government and Legislative Affairs for nonprofit organization Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS). TAPS is organizing the September effort and led drafting of a bill introduced in spring allowing spouses of fallen service members/veterans to collect benefits no matter age which they remarry. This measure, called Love Lives On Act (LLOA)”, is first “comprehensive” legislative attempt addressing nearly all benefits affected. The Bill price tag (est. $2.7B over 10yrs), means path in Congress difficult. One part (a no cost provision) ensuring spousal access to commissaries/bases made it into Senate/House drafts of 2024 National Defense Authorization Act..
Spokesperson for Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Ks), top Republican Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, said he will continue pressing additional benefits lawmakers negotiate in final version of Annual Defense Policy Bill. Senators Moran/Warnock (D-Ga) introduced LLOA. Companion Bill in House.
At least 30K surviving spouses would benefit from proposed legislation. While most spouses receiving compensation from Dept of Vet Affairs are in 70s and 80s, the average age of a spouse at partners death is now 25 to 35.
Kelli Campbell-Goodnow was 36 when husband (Maj. Shawn Campbell, USMC), died in helicopter training exercise of coast Hawaii in 2016. She had been homemaker for Campbell’s 15 year career, and left to raise 4 young children alone. Four years later, remarried, forced to give up benefits/physically hand over identification card afforded privileges she had before. “It was degrading/sad thing to go through, they make you feel like you did something wrong”. She is now worried about the of getting remarried but of getting remarried financial implications, but never wavered, but believed faith would take care of her. BUT NOW, as business school student, she wishes she was eligible for FRY Scholarship for Surviving Spouses!! It really hurts that she can’t access scholarships/things that are now nonexistent. “I was a stay-at-home mom, homeschooled kids, lifestyle wrapped up in his job/duty station/military community.
Military Spouses (Men/Women) struggle to build careers/moves/unavailable child-care/ Education/Survivor Benefits become critical when service member dies. These are not just service member benefit’s; these survivor benefits help make up loss of earning potential. The notion that widow/widower no longer need benefits if they remarry before 55 is misguided/archaic since implying survivors become responsibility of new spouses (treated like property!).
Surviving spouses can lose roughly $40K in benefits from the VA and the DoD per year if they remarry. Only about 5% of widows/widowers younger than 55 get remarried because of the financial penalties, according to TAPS.
Widow of Army veteran, said she receives about $2K in monthly benefits, half of the retirement funds her husband, Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Lowell Syers, would have collected if he lived to 60. He died in 2019 at age 51 from glioblastoma, a brain cancer that also killed combat veterans John McCain, a former senator, and Beau Biden, President Jor Biden’s som. She followed her husband for 10 military moves, including postings to Germany and South Korea, and raised 2 children. Her ability to get a job suffered as a result. She said she was fortunate for losing her husband at a comparatively older age “My younger widow sisters, they have to wait decades”. “Nobody should have to wait like this to get married!” She has shared her story in letters to Congress. It is time to make progress on the issue of spousal benefits after years of focus like the PACT Act.
“This bill represents how we treat families,” said Campbell-Goodnow. “It’s such a punch in the gut to have to go through loss again, to have to surrender the benefits your husband/wife worked for because you’re doing something you know he/she would’ve wanted moving on and moving forward with your family.”
CONTINUING NOTE Help MOAA Save New Surviving Spouses From an Unexpected Financial Burden. By Jen Goodale. Bipartisan, bicameral legislation designed to ease the burdens faced by new surviving spouses of military retirees was reintroduced and rebranded this month, giving members of the 118th Congress a chance to protect grief-stricken family members from unwelcome financial surprises. The Respect for Grieving Military Families Act (S. 1588 | H.R. 3232) was introduced by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) along with Reps. John Garamendi (D-Calif) and Mark Amodei (R-Nev.). The bill, known as the Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act in the last session of Congress, was re-titled to communicate the intent and impact of the legislation.
[Take Action: Ask Your Lawmakers to Support the Respect for Grieving Military Families Act] Under DoD’s current policy, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) recoups the final month of retirement benefits upon the passing of any retired service member. This can put surviving family members in a stressful financial position; many survivors are unaware DFAS can recoup benefits – by pulling of benefits funds out of a joint checking account, for example – without their consent. The Respect for Grieving Military Families Act prevents DFAS from immediately recouping any overpayment of benefits and instead gives survivors the opportunity to repay the benefits over a 12-month period. It would also allow the Secretary of Defense to forgive the repayment. “The last thing military families who are grieving should have to worry about is getting hit with a surprise bill because the Department of Defense bureaucracy miscalculated pay at the end of a retiree’s life,” Cornyn said. “This legislation would safeguard veterans’ families from this unfair practice and allow them to rectify any overpaid retirement funds at a more appropriate time.”
MOAA Premium and Life Members, Download MOAA’s Survivor’s Planning Guide]
“Military families suffering the loss of their loved one should not be penalized for an accounting oversight, ”Garamendi said. “The Department of Defense’s current practice of clawing back retirement benefits deposited in joint checking accounts when a veteran dies is both callous and needless. Our Respect for Grieving Military Families Act would finally fix this to ensure that our military families have one less worry following the loss of their loved one.” Grief-stricken survivors may forget to notify DFAS when a retiree passes, resulting in a large fund recoupment that could potentially empty a bank account and result in overdraft fees. The gradual repayment option provided by the Respect for Grieving Military Families Act is the right thing to do for our surviving spouses. Add your voice to this effort by contact your lawmakers.
Continuing Note: This article was originally on Military.com, a leading source of news for military and veteran community. (Edited to fit. For full article go to Military.com site). (Editor).
Senate Bill Would End Remarriage Penalty for Surviving Spouses. Rebecca Kheel. Currently, Surviving Spouses who remarry before age 55 become ineligible for benefits such as Department of Veterans Affairs’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Defense Department’s Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). A bill from Senate Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., would eliminate that age. Advocates and VA officials testified about the bill to Senate Veterans Affairs Committee the day after it was introduced. Senator Warnock said “What I’m trying to do with this bipartisan legislation is to correct a wrong. People who have lost their loved ones defending our freedom shouldn’t have to struggle with deciding whether or not at a time of their choosing they should be able to move on with their lives, all the while honoring the love of their spouse who was killed.” The so-called remarriage penalty for surviving spouses has been a longtime concern of advocates for veterans and military families. Two years ago in annual defense policy bill, lawmakers lowered age which survivors can remarry and keep VA benefits from 57 to current threshold of 55. Advocates say 55 is still an arbitrary cutoff and younger spouses are in need. The bill could help an estimated 65,000 surviving spouses who receive DIC, and are under age 55, according to Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). which considers Warnock and Moran’s bill a top priority. “Given many post-9/11 surviving spouses are widowed in their 20s or 30s, we are asking them to wait over 20 years to remarry and retain their benefits, Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann, TAPS’ Deputy Director for Government and Legislative Affairs, said at Veterans Affairs Committee hearing. “Many surviving spouses have to put their lives on hold to raise grieving children. They rely on survivor benefits to help offset lass of pay for their late spouse and own lost income as result of demands of military life.” Less than 5% of surviving spouses younger that 55 have chosen to remarry, often because they’ll lose benefits, according to TAPS. There have been similar proposals from other lawmakers in past that failed to gain traction. Warnock said “I think a lot of people, including some of my colleagues, are not necessarily aware of this way in which we’re not living up to our obligation to our service members and their families.” In addition to letting remarried survivors keep DIC and SBP benefits, the bill would apply to certain education benefits and commissary/exchange privileges. It would also let remarried spouses regain TRICARE coverage if the remarriage ends in death, divorce or annulment. VA officials who testified at the hearing said they generally support the bill but requested tweaks to the language. They took issue with the provision resuming DIC benefits for those who remarried before age 55 prior to the bill becoming law. They argued the bill would create a disparity between those who remarried before age 55 and those who remarried between 55 and 57 since the previous change in law required spouses to reapply for benefits rather than automatically regranting them. Warnock said “ Our service members are the best among us, and not only serve, their families serve, We ought to honor their sacrifice, and make sure that their survivors, particularly their children, have access to the kinds of benefits that they have earned to thrive.”
(CONTINUING NOTE) New Law Brings Long-Sought Relief for Military Spouses on the Move. Rebecca Kheel. Military spouses could have an easier time transferring professional licenses during future military moves under newly enacted law. Under the law, states must recognize service members/spouses’ valid professional licenses from other states for any job except for law licenses if moved because of military orders. The provision was tucked into Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act, which President Biden signed into law Jan 5 after Congress cleared the measure in closing days of its session last month. The bill largely revolves around ensuring veterans don’t lose GI Bill benefits if schools close in future emergency like COVID-19 pandemic, but also includes other policies related to veterans/military families. Among added provisions is one that aids to remove hurdles to transferring professional licenses to new location after permanent change of station (PCS) move, a process that can be time consuming/expensive, and leave military spouses dejected or unemployed. The measure specifically excludes law licenses, a touchy topic between states due inconsistent rules on reciprocity for lawyers. About 35% of active-duty spouses require state-issued licenses for their careers, according to Defense Department’s 2019 Survey of Active-Duty Spouses, the most recent year available. Most Respondents said it took less than 4 months to get new professional licenses after PCS, about 20% said 10 months or more, and a PCS within the last year more than doubled chances that spouse was unemployed. A 2021 study by Government Accountability Office based on data in 2017 iteration of survey estimated unemployment rate for spouses in credentialed fields was 25% compared to 22% in non-credentialed fields. “In midst of one of most challenging times for military, in terms of recruitment/ retention, this bill allows military spouses to cross-deck professional licenses, if a realtor/nurse/teacher/beautician/cosmetologist, whatever their profession is across state lines,” Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif, sponsor of original stand-alone legislation this provision is based on, said in a statement last month. “This is a win for military families/national security/local communities in desperate need of these professionals, and our government who enjoys tax revenue from these dual-income families.” The Pentagon has taken congressionally mandated steps in recent years removing bureaucratic roadblocks to transferring licenses, to negotiate interstate compacts for specific job fields reimbursing spouses up to $1,000 for relicensing. But it’s up to states to enter into those compacts, and military spouses continue facing difficulties transferring credentials. Under the new law, states must recognize professional licenses from other jurisdictions if spouse/service member provides new licensing authority a copy of PCS orders. Service member/spouse also has to be in good standing with authority originally issuing license, and have actively used credential within last 2 years. If state moving to, already has interstate compact allowing to continue working in their field, that agreement takes precedent over new law, according to text of the bill.
A Sample of Articles presented in the “MOAA NATIONAL NEWSLETTER DURING last few years.
Free Lifetime National Parks Passes Now Available for Vets and Gold Star Families
New Commissary Grocer Pickup App Designed to Make Mobile Ordering Easier
Spouse Licensure, School Policies Top DoD-State Liaison Group’s 2023 Priorities
The Gold Star: Remembering Our Fallen Servicemembers’ Families
NEW: Visit MOAA’s Digital Retirement Guide
These States Saw Changes to Military Retirement Tax Rules
Allowance for the Most At-Risk Military Families Begins to Take Shape
Take These 3 Steps before Accepting That New Job Offer
4 Important Things To Know When Considering College as an Older Veteran
(on Oct 4, 2022) MOAA Webinar: Understand the Legal Aspects of Estate Planning
(on Oct 6, 2022) MOAA Webinar: Preparing a Spouse for Survivorship
GI Bill Updates for 2023: New Rates, New Maximums
AND MANY MORE!!!!
Every month there are considerable articles keeping Active Duty and Retired informed of what is happening. If not going to the MOAA Website, or not computer or internet capable, contact a RETIRED or ACTIVE DUTY friend to access the MOAA site to stay informed.
The MOAA Miramar Chapter has periodically printed or provided on our Website some of these articles, but highly recommend all members go to the National Site or ask an associate/ friend to view the articles and provide the information ().
The National Site Newsletter contains up-to-date information under the categories of:
DIC Surviving Spouses/DIC Increase Advocacy”. If you have any questions concerning any bills, you may go to the DIC Surviving Spouses and Friends Facebook group (Site is listed on Page 3 of Miramar Chapter newsletter) or the Military Widows: SBP-DIC Offset Facebook group. Click on the DIC Surviving Spouses/DIC Increase Advocacy link and /or in MOAA Surviving Spouses and Friendslink and you will see the link to “DIC Surviving Spouses/DIC Increase Advocacy”. This is where you would ask to join this group. It is a private group. To join you will have to answer all of the questions (from “are you receiving DIC”, etc.) Please ask to join and answer all the questions in order to be admitted.
Why get involved with Advocacy in Action: Volunteers are well trained to understand the process of setting up meetings and communicating with elected officials as well as having a better understanding of legislation. In addition, participation cultivates relationships with staffers and members of Congress from your district and state. The experience you gain is beneficial to help support other legislation as a constituent or with a group to help Survivors Benefits.
Military survivors are the stakeholders to the legislation at large. Congress continuously adjusts military survivor benefits. It is important surviving spouse members exercise their rights to educate staffers and members of Congress and remain vigilant to protect and improve survivor benefits. MOAA headquarters’ staff does an outstanding job educating members so they can participate in grassroots advocacy efforts.
Here are some ways to contribute and keep MOAA’s priorities on Congress’ radar:
Send pre-written letters to Capitol Hill using MOAA’s Legislative Action Center.
Call elected officials using MOAA’s direct line to the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 1-866-272-6622.
Engage with congressional members via social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Stay current with MOAA’s legislative efforts and subscribe to The MOAA Newsletter. Check your MOAA’s newsletter subscription preferences .
Customize your letters and conversations with elected officials; embed a personal story.
Congress will act only if they are inspired by their voters. Join MOAA’s effort to help improve benefits for military, veterans, retirees, family, and survivors. Read past Surviving Spouse Corners.
CONTINUING NOTE: 4 Resources for Older Adults, note from Renee Brunelle, Member of MOAA’s Surviving Spouse Advisory Council and Co-Founder of Pathfinders Downsizing Solutions.
The community of military spouses, encompassing all past and present, is a resilient group of individuals. The ability to change plans in a moment’s notice is a skill acquired over years of experience. The other amazing characteristic of military spouses is that we support each other and share tools, benefits, and resources no matter how long we have known each other.
Here are four resources to consider:
Geriatric Care Managers: Hiring these professionals can be an unmatched option of support for seniors who do not have family members close by. They are social workers for hire who can be on a retained contract in case of emergency needs. Their experience can help you navigate insurance coverage, emergency services, or placement recommendations if you are looking into senior living locations.
Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney: Often attorneys will list that they offer estate and/or elder law specialties. This is an important area in that “ what you don’t know will hurt you.” A Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney has a higher level of training and expertise. Learn more through the National Elder Law Foundation.
Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES): This designation for Realtors means they have done advanced education for working with home buyers over the age of 50. Often, they have a network of additional businesses and services that will assist in making the real estate transactions as smooth as possible. Learn more through the SRES Council.
Continuing Note Find Out How Your State Stacks Up on Military Family Issues,
While advocacy efforts stemming from MOAA’s national headquarters stay on the federal level, many issues affect the lives of service members past and present, and their families, reside in other jurisdictions. MOAA’s Military State Report Card and Tax Guide keeps members up to date on some of these issues, including how states are addressing some of the top concerns of the Defense State Liaison Office (DLSO).
This DoD office works to inform state-level policymakers on the needs of the military community.
Spouse employment: DSLO pushes states to enhance and expand professional license portability and access to military spouses, and to join licensing compacts that prevent spouses from undergoing the pain and expense of recertification after every move.
School concerns: DSLO advocates for laws helping students register for class in advance and allow for flexible enrollment, both keys to successful transitions for military dependents. DSLO also recommends the Purple Star Schools Program as a way for states to recognize schools that emphasize these and other pro-military offerings.
Safety concerns: DSLO works with states to establish “concurrent jurisdiction” for military installations, which allows state-level juvenile courts to handle incidents that otherwise could become federal matters. They also work to increase collaboration between state and military services for child abuse identification and reporting.
Other critical issues: DSLO recommends states allow military dependents to keep in-state tuition rates when they relocate, and seeks to have each state join the “Ask the Question” campaign, allowing families to identify as military families on various reporting materials and enabling officials to match them with earned benefits, military programs, or other relevant resources.
You can learn more about each of these issues and see how each state is doing on these issues at MOAA’s Military State Report Card and Tax Guide; Scroll down to the second map for our updated tracker. Interested in becoming involved in state-level advocacy? Find your local MOAA affiliate using our online chapter locator. (CONTINUING NOTE) State-Level Military Benefits:
Many MOAA Surviving Spouses receive survivor benefits from DoD and the VA. Besides these benefits, state-level benefits are available to those who meet the criteria. State benefits are state-driven, unlike federal or VA benefits or entitlements. Surviving Spouses might not be aware of these state-level benefits because there is not a one-stop shop website for military survivors. Some states are more “military friendly” than others. The amount of benefits can vary from state to state; some offer as many as 60 and as few as 22 benefits to retired veterans. The challenge is determining what benefits are passed on to the survivor after the veteran or service member dies. CNAS says military survivors receive less than 50% of what states offers to veterans.
To determine what state benefits are available to survivors, begin by looking at the individual state benefits for veterans using the Center for a New America Security (NCAS) benefit finder.
Next, locate the state you are targeting and then search for the “Beneficiary” category. It is important to verify eligibility, as many of the webpages might be outdated.
Some state benefits include (but again, vary from state to state).
Academic scholarships.
Property tax exemption or reduction of property tax (For example: Military Surviving Spouses who receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA are eligible for up to a $45,000 deduction in the assessed value of their home for property tax purposes.)
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) tax exemption for state tax.
Free admission to National Parks.
Free fishing and hunting license.
Being aware of state-level benefits can also help Surviving Spouses determine whether they want to stay or relocate to optimize their benefits. Many independent variables need to be considered, such as cost of living and proximity to family support. Knowing the state-level benefits is a helpful tool in this decision-making process.
Go to: MOAA NEWSLETTER WEBSITE and check out the MOAA’s Military State Report Card and Tax Guide under the Council and Chapter News section.
Continuing Note Get to know the Surviving Spouse Advisory Council:
The Surviving Spouse Advisory Council (SSAC) was established in 2004 as Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee to report to/advise the MOAA President about Surviving Spouses of MOAA members. Main goal is to represent YOU – not only as survivors but Military Spouses as well – about issues that impact each of us. The SSAC has had numerous major accomplishments, including:
Creating Surviving Planning Guide: Handbook for One of Life’s Toughest Assignments.
Since 2018, the Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter meets via phone on Third Tuesday of each month and has grown from 10 members to 160 members from 33 States. Learn more about the chapter by going to the SSAC website listed at end of article.
Assisting with the 2019 passage of the bill that eliminated the Survivor Benefit Plan – Dependencyand Indemnity Compensation offset, which took 40 years to accomplish.
Developing and producing the Surviving Spouse Liaison Training, which is held several times each year in conjunction with the Regional Chapter Leadership Training.
Current members of the Council represent all services and several states and bring a broad swath of experience. Each member was nominated by her Chapter and then thoroughly vetted and selected by members of the SSAC. Meet the current members of the SSAC by going to the SSAC website. While the SSAC initially was organized to work with Surviving Spouses, the Council has expanded its role to work with ALL Military spouses to help better prepare them for the future. If you have questions or concerns, the SSAC is your conduit for answers and to make things happen. Please get in touch when/where you see a need at s We look forward to meeting you.