As the representative of a district home to veterans of every major conflict since World War II, Congressman Ted Deutch has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. Current policy requires surviving spouses of service members killed in the line of duty or from a service-connected cause to forfeit the Survivor Benefit Pension annuity. This legislation would eliminate the so-called “Widow’s Tax” and ensure that the service member's spouse or children receive the annuity. Current policy also allows up to $1,000 per month to be off-set from a surviving spouse’s pay. This creates a substantial burden for the surviving spouses of those brave service members that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty or from a service-connected cause. H.R. 178 would repeal these provisions so that military families receive the full payment they deserve.

You can read H.R. 178, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act, by clicking here.