H.R. 4741 – Surviving Spouses' Benefit Improvement Act of 2014

113th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 4741

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 22, 2014

Mr. Tierney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Surviving Spouses’ Benefit Improvement Act of 2014.

Increase in amount of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

(a)

Increase

Section 1311 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking of $1,154 and inserting equal to 55 percent of the rate of monthly compensation in effect under section 1114(j) of this title; and

(B)

in paragraph (3)—

(i)

by amending the table preceding the matter in footnotes 1 and 2 to read as follows:

Pay grade	Monthly rate	Pay grade	Monthly rate
E–1	$1,572.03	W–4	$1,651.78
E–2	$1,572.03	O–1	$1,572.03
E–3	$1,572.03	O–2	$1,572.03
E–4	$1,572.03	O–3	$1,611.98
E–5	$1,572.03	O–4	$1,708.61
E–6	$1,572.03	O–5	$1,880.27
E–7	$1,572.03	O–6	$2,120.13
E–8	$1,572.03	O–7	$2,288.38
E–9	$1,573.33¹	O–8	$2,513.46
W–1	$1,572.03	O–9	$2,688.53
W–2	$1,572.03	O–10	$2,948.86²
W–3	$1,572.03

;

(ii)

in footnote 1, by striking $1,419 and inserting $1,698.38; and

(iii)

in footnote 2, by striking $2,643 and inserting 3,164.85; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(g)

In the case of an individual who is eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation under this section who is also eligible for benefits under another provision of law by reason of such individual’s status as the surviving spouse of a veteran, then, notwithstanding any other provision of law (other than section 5304(b)(3) of this title), neither a reduction nor an offset in benefits under such provision shall be made by reason of such individual’s eligibility for benefits under this section.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to compensation paid under chapter 13 of title 38, United States Code, for months beginning after the date that is six months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Surviving Spouses' Benefit Improvement Act of 2014

Legislative Activity

Bill Text