Moran sponsors Love Lives On Act to ensure survivor benefits

Spouses of deceased United States military service members would retain their survivor benefits if they remarry under a bipartisan bill sponsored on Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS).

The Love Lives On Act, S. 1266, which has four original cosponsors, including U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), would ensure surviving spouses retain their benefits from both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) upon remarriage at any age, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Moran’s office. 

“Military service is family service, and our country owes a great debt to the surviving spouses of fallen service members,” said Sen. Moran, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “As Gold Star spouses heal from their loss and choose to remarry, they should not have to worry about losing their survivors’ benefits provided by the VA and DOD.”

If enacted, S. 1266 would amend current law dictating that a surviving spouse under the age of 55 could lose survivor benefits if they remarry, according to the summary.

Additionally, S. 1266 would allow surviving spouses upon remarriage to maintain eligibility for education benefits under the Fry Scholarship and Dependents Education Assistance, as well as access to commissary and exchange benefits. They also would be able to regain their TRICARE health care benefits if a remarriage ends due to death, divorce, or annulment, among other provisions, the summary says.

“If one of our heroes loses their life in the line of duty, we should honor our service member’s sacrifice by ensuring their spouse can retain survivor benefits if they choose to remarry,” Sen. Warnock said. “I’m proud to continue leading this bipartisan effort to fulfill our promise to these patriotic military families.”

The legislation has been endorsed by 41 Veterans Service Organizations and others, including Disabled American Veterans, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Gold Star Wives of America Inc., Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America, The American Legion, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.