Survivors Pension (Death Pension)
What is Survivors Pension (Death Pension)
Not only are many veterans eligible to receive pension benefits, but oftentimes their surviving spouses may receive them as well! Survivors Pension, also known as Death Pension, is an income program available to a single surviving spouse and the dependent children of a deceased veteran that meets certain service and other criteria. Like basic veterans pension, Survivors Pension can also be increased with a medical rating of Aid and Attendance or Housebound.
- Veteran must have served 90 days of active duty
- Must have served one day during a period of war. (Active combat is not required)
- Must not have received a dishonorable discharge.
- The surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran when the veteran died
- The surviving spouse must not have remarried after the veteran's death. (Unless the second marriage was terminated prior to Nov/1 1990, and the surviving spouse has remained single since)
- Countable income must be less than the maximum pension rate (MARP)
- Countable assets must be less than $150,537