Surviving Spouses Income Security Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependents and survivors income security benefit payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Surviving Spouses Income Security Act 2. Increase in amount of dependents and survivors income security benefit payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Increase Section 1311(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking of $1,154 equal to 55 percent of the rate of monthly compensation in effect under section 1114(j) of this title (2) by striking paragraph (3). (b) Effective date (1) In general Except as provided by paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to compensation paid under chapter 13 (2) Special rule for certain individuals (A) For months beginning after the date that is six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall pay to an individual described in subparagraph (B) dependents and survivors income security benefit under section 1311 of title 38, United States Code, in the monthly amount that is the greater of the following: (i) The amount determined under subsection (a)(3) of such section 1311, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. (ii) The amount determined under subsection (a)(1) of such section 1311, as amended by subsection (a). (B) An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual eligible for dependents and survivors income security benefit under section 1311 of title 38, United States Code, that is predicated on the death of a veteran before January 1, 1993. 3. Modification of requirements for dependents and survivors income security benefit payable by Department of Veterans Affairs for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at time of death Section 1318 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking The Secretary (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) In any case in which the Secretary makes a payment under paragraph (1) of this subsection by reason of subsection (b)(1) and the period of continuous rating immediately preceding death is less than 10 years, the amount payable under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be an amount which bears the same relationship to the amount otherwise payable under such paragraph as the duration of such period bears to 10 years. ; and (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking 10 or more years five or more years 4. Eligibility for dependents and survivors income security benefit payable by Department of Veterans Affairs for surviving spouses who remarry after age 55 Section 103(d)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended in the second sentence by inserting chapter 13 or benefits under 5. Renaming of dependency and indemnity compensation to dependents and survivors income security benefit (a) In general Chapter 13 (1) by striking dependency and indemnity compensation dependents and survivors income security benefit (2) by conforming the typeface and typestyle, including capitalization, of such inserted matter to the typeface and typestyle as used in such stricken matter. (b) References Any reference in law to dependency and indemnity compensation paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to chapter 13 of such title shall be deemed to be a reference to dependents and survivors income security benefit.

Summary: Surviving Spouses Income Security Act This bill increases monthly rates for veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs.