SGT. SHAFT: Widow upset by what she calls a a Dead Veterana s Taxa

Although 100 percent disabled, my husband was able to receive both his military retirement pay and his VA disability, thanks to Sen.

[PayThat CEO]

The tax payers have supported your husband, why should we be required to support YOU for the rest of YOUR life.?

Did your husband take out life insurance policies to take care of his family in the event of his death? That's what most responsible men do.

Let's remember that this is an all-volunteer military. And, before we go further, I have a stepson in the military leaving for Afghanistan in a few weeks. It breaks my heart that our country has thrown all this men and women into harm's way for nothing.

At the same time, they all chose to join and not all of them for patriotic reasons. I believe every injured vet should be given the best health care available, but the taxpayer should not have to support this person's family for life.

[harvey]

Let's look at this like a Rightie or Libertarian would:

"Although 100 percent disabled, my husband was able to receive both his military retirement pay and his VA disability, thanks to Sen. Harry Reid’s bill, S. 170. When he passed away, those concurrent receipt benefits were not passed on to me. Why?"

>>Because you didn't serve in the military, retire from it, or become disabled as a result of said service?

It is only the extension of the dead veteran’s benefits that should be continued for his widow.

>>Why?

The Survivor Benefit Plan/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset for unremarried military surviving spouses is a “Dead Veteran’s Tax” that is being imposed on the retired service member’s surviving spouse.

>>So, not receiving government handouts is now to be considered a "tax?" Do you know the meaning of that word? If no, I'd look it up sometime.

;)

[Eighthman]

Looks like Senator Reid, also known as "the Douche" forgot one small detail. Too many punches to the head me thinks. A little punch drunk for sure.

[itoldyouso]

Before you read this please note I am an Army brat, Navy Vet and Air Force spouse. My mother traveled all over the world with my father after he voluntarily joined the Army. He spent 22 years and earned his retirement pension. When he retired, he opted to pay for Survivor's benefits. It was taken from his retirement and put aside so my mother could draw it when he passed. HE EARNED his retirement and being married for 22 to a traveling man (they moved every 3-4 years) earned her the right to receive his pension (at a reduced rate) after sacrificing part of his pension for it. He was disabled after 2 tours in Vietnam and came home a different man. My mother was not disabled and felt she had no claim on that money. Nor do I. The retirement was enough.
My sister served 22 years in the Navy and nows receives a pension and disability. When she dies, it stops and no-one can draw it because she isn't married and you can not assign it to a child.
I did not serve a full 20 so I will not receive a pension from my service. My husband on the other hand has 27 years at this point and will receive a pension. I will draw his pension after he dies because we elect to do survivor's benefit. If he becomes disbaled I will enjoy the extra money with him while he is alive. When he passes, it will cease. I am not the one disbaled and there is no reason for the government to pay me as a disabled person. Be happy you are getting his retirement. That you may very well have earned if you were married long enough and he chose survivor's benefit but please don't be greedy. You have a whole life without being disabled, be happy about it.