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Wilson Introduces Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act

February 17, 2017

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement after reintroducing the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act:

"For too long, the Survivor Benefit Plan – Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset has been an unfair penalty that cuts earned benefits to military survivors. 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 spouses and families will provide for them.

"Congress has considered a repeal of the Survivor Benefit Plan offset for over 12 years in six separate bills—it is past time that we address this discrepancy. Families of our fallen heroes are counting on us."

Congressman Joe Wilson is Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and is a past chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

The Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act would eliminate the "Widow's tax," a current policy that requires the surviving spouses of members killed in the line of duty or from a service-connected cause to forfeit the Survivor Benefit Pension annuity. Current policy allows for up to $1000 per month to be off-set from a surviving spouse's pay—a substantial burden for many military families which could be up to a $12,000 annual reduction of deserved benefits.

Read the legislation here.

Issues:Our Veterans