Survivor Benefits & Dependents Programs Flashcards
6 cards from real CVA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Survivor Benefits & Dependents Programs flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) for military retirees?
Answer: To provide a monthly annuity to eligible survivors after a military retiree's death
SBP provides a monthly annuity equal to up to 55% of the retiree's retired pay to eligible survivors after the retiree's death, ensuring continued financial support.
What is the 'SBP-DIC offset' (also called the 'widow's tax') that was phased out beginning in 2021?
Answer: A dollar-for-dollar reduction in SBP annuity when a survivor also received VA DIC benefits
The SBP-DIC offset (widow's tax) required surviving spouses who received both SBP annuity and VA DIC to have their SBP reduced dollar-for-dollar by the DIC amount; this offset was fully phased out by January 1, 2023.
What VA benefit provides burial assistance to eligible veterans, including a burial allowance and plot allowance?
Answer: VA Burial Benefits
VA Burial Benefits provide financial assistance toward burial and funeral expenses, including a burial allowance, plot allowance, and in some cases transportation expenses for eligible veterans.
Who is eligible for interment in a national cemetery?
Answer: Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses, and dependent children
Eligible veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses, and unmarried dependent children are eligible for interment in national cemeteries at no cost.
What does Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) require regarding the cause of a veteran's death?
Answer: The veteran's death must have been caused by or contributed to by a service-connected disability
DIC requires that the veteran's death be directly caused by a service-connected disability or that a service-connected condition materially contributed to the cause of death.
Under what circumstances can a surviving spouse receive both VA DIC and the full SBP annuity following the phase-out of the SBP-DIC offset?
Answer: Since January 1, 2023, eligible surviving spouses can receive full SBP and full DIC concurrently
Since January 1, 2023, the SBP-DIC offset has been fully eliminated, allowing eligible surviving spouses to receive both their full SBP annuity and full VA DIC payments concurrently.