An Act to amend title 38 of the United States Code to increase the rates and income limitations relating to payment of pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes
PL 91-588 (H.R.15911), enacted 12/24/1970

1580 
PUBLIC LAW 91-588-DEC. 24, 1970 
[84 STAT. 
Public Law 91-588 
December 24,1970 
[H.R. 159tl] 
AN ACT 
Veterans' pen-
sions. 
Income limita-
tions. 
82 Stat. 64. 
To amend title 38 of the United States Code to increase the rates, income limita-
tions, and aid and attendance allowances relating to payment of pension and 
parents' dependency and indemnity compensation; to exclude certain payments 
in determining annual income with respect to such pension and compensation; 
to make the Mexican border period a period of war for the purposes of such 
title; and for other purposes. 
Be It enacted hy the Senate and Houae of Representatives 
of the 
United States of Atnerica in Congress assembled. That (a) the table 
in subsection (b) of section 521 of title 38, L'nited States Code, is 
amended to appear as follows: 
"Column 1 
Annual income 
More than— 
Equal to or 
but 
less than— 
$300 
400 
500 
600 
700 
800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
$300 
400 
500 
600 
700 
800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
Column II 
$121 
119 
117 
115 
112 
108 
104 
100 
96 
92 
88 
84 
79 
75 
69 
63 
57 
51 
45 
37 
29". 
V e t e r a n s with 
d e p e n d e n t s . 
(b) The table in subsection (c) of such section 521 is amended to 
appear as follows: 
"Column 1 
Annual income 
More than— 
Equal to or 
but less than— 
$500 
600 
700 
800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
2,400 
2,500 
2,600 
2,700 
2,800 
2,900 
3,000 
3,100 
3,200 
3,300 
3,400 
$500 
600 
700 
800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
2,400 
2,500 
2,600 
2,700 
2,800 
2,900 
3,000 
3,100 
3,200 
3,300 
3,400 
3,500 
Column II 
One 
dependent 
$132 
130 
128 
126 
124 
122 
119 
116 
113 
110 
107 
104 
101 
99 
96 
93 
90 
87 
84 
81 
78 
75 
72 
69 
66 
62 
58 
54 
50 
42 
34 
Column III 
Two 
dependents 
$137 
135 
133 
131 
129 
127 
119 
116 
113 
110 
107 
104 
101 
99 
96 
93 
90 
87 
84 
81 
78 
75 
72 
69 
66 
62 
58 
54 
50 
42 
34 
Column IV 
Three or more 
dependents 
$142 
140 
138 
136 
134 
132 
119 
116 
113 
110 
107 
104 
101 
99 
96 
93 
90 
87 
84 
81 
78 
75 
72 
69 
66 
62 
58 
54 
50 
42 
34". 
84 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC L
A
W 91-588-DEC. 24, 1970 
1581 
(c) The table in subsection (b) of section 541 of title 38, United 
^'''"^ ^'°"^-
States Code, is amended to appear as follows: 
^
2 stat. es. 
"Column 1 
Annual Income 
More than— 
Equal to or 
but 
less than— 
$300 
400 
500 
600 
700 
800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
$300 
400 
500 
600 
700 
800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1.700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
Column II 
$81 
80 
79 
78 
76 
73 
70 
67 
64 
61 
58 
55 
51 
48 
45 
41 
37 
33 
29 
23 
17". 
(d) The table in subsection (c) of such section 541 is amended to 
appear as follows: 
Widow with on«; 
child. 
"Column 1 
Annual Income 
Equal to or 
More than— but 
less than— 
$600 
7
0
O 
800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
2,400 
2,500 
2,600 
2,700 
2,800 
2,900 
3,000 
3,100 
3,200 
3,300 
3,400 
$600 
700 
800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
2,400 
2,500 
2,600 
2,700 
2,800 
2,900 
3,000 
3,100 
3,200 
3,300 
3,400 
3,500 
Column II 
$99 
98 
97 
96 
95 
94 
92 
90 
88 
86 
84 
82 
80 
78 
76 
74 
72 
70 
68 
66 
64 
62 
59 
56 
53 
51 
48 
45 
43 
41". 
1582 
PUBLIC L
A
W 91-588-DEC. 24, 1970 
[84 STAT. 
pendency'and' 
SEO. 2. (a) The table in subsection (b) (1) of section 415 of title 38, 
indemnity c ompen- Unitcd Statcs Codo, is amcndcd to appear as follows: 
s a t i o n . 
82 Stat. 6 6 . 
"Column 1 
Total annual income 
More than— 
Equal to or 
but 
less than— 
$800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1.300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
$800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
Column II 
$96 
94 
91 
87 
81 
75 
69 
62 
54 
46 
38 
31 
25 
18 
12 
10". 
(b) The table in subsection (c) of such section 415 is amended to 
appear as follows: 
"Column 1 
Total annual income 
More than— 
Equal to or 
but 
less than— 
$800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1.300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
$800 
900 
1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
Column II 
$66 
64 
61 
58 
54 
50 
46 
41 
35 
29 
23 
20 
16 
14 
12 
10". 
84 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC L
A
W 91-588-DEC. 24, 1970 
1583 
(c) The table in subsection (d) of such section 415 is amended to 82 stat. 67. 
appear as follows: 
"Column 1 
Total combined annual Income 
Equal to or 
More than— 
but 
less than— 
$1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
2,400 
2,500 
2,600 
2,700 
2,800 
2,900 
3,000 
3,100 
3,200 
3,300 
3,400 
$1,000 
1,100 
1,200 
1,300 
1,400 
1,500 
1,600 
1,700 
1,800 
1,900 
2,000 
2,100 
2,200 
2,300 
2,400 
2,500 
2,600 
2,700 
2,800 
2,900 
3,000 
3,100 
3,200 
3,300 
3,400 
3,500 
Column II 
$64 
62 
60 
58 
56 
54 
52 
49 
46 
44 
42 
40 
38 
35 
33 
31 
29 
27 
25 
23 
21 
19 
17 
1
4 
1
2 
10". 
(d) Subsection (e) of such section 415 is amended by inserting 
immediately precedmg the word "file" in the first sentence thereof the 
following text: ", other than one who has attained seventy-two years 
of age and has been paid dependency and indemnity compensation 
during two consecutive calendar years,". 
SEC. 3. (a) Sections 322(b), 411(c), and 544 of title 38, United 
States Code, are each amended by striking out "$50" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "$55". 
(b) (1) Subsection (d) of section 521 of such title is amended by 
striking out "$100" and inserting in lieu thereof "$110". 
(2) Subsection (e) of such section 521 is amended by striking out 
"$40" and inserting in lieu thereof "$44". 
(c) Section 542(c) of such title is amended by striking out "$1,800" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$2,000". 
SEC. 4. Subsection (h) of section 612 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended hj adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: 
"The Administrator shall continue to furnish such drugs and medi-
cines so ordered to any such veteran in need of regular aid and 
attendance whose pension payments have been discontinued solely 
because his annual income is greater than the applicable maximum 
annual income limitation, but only so long as his annual income does 
not exceed such maximum annual income limitation by more than 
$500." 
SEC. 5. Section 4 of Public Law 90-275 (82 Stat. 68) is amended to 
read as follows: 
"SEC. 4. The annual income limitations governing payment of pen-
sion under the first sentence of section 9(b) of the Veterans' Pension 
Act of 1959 hereafter shall be $1,900 and $3,200, instead of $1,600 and 
$2,900, respectively." 
72 Stat. 1130. 
83 Stat. 146, 
145. 
81 Stat. 180. 
73 Stat. 434; 
78 Stat. 1095. 
81 Stat. 179. 
73 Stat. 435. 
Medical treat-
ment, eligibility,, 
81 Stat. 183. 
Inc 
tions 
ome 
. 
38 u s e 
note. 
73 
38 
note 
Stat. 
use 
limita 
521 
436. 
521 
1584 
PUBLIC LAW 91-588-DEC. 24, 1970 
[84 STAT. 
Resource 
reports. 
73 Stat. 433; 
78 Stat. 1094. 
Annual income 
determinations. 
79 Stat. 301. 
42 u s e 1395J. 
75 Stat, 810. 
72 Stat. 1130; 
80 Stat, 1158. 
73 Stat, 436. 
38 u s e 521 
note. 
72 Stat, 1266; 
73 Stat. 436. 
"Period of 
war." 
81 Stat. 181. 
72 Stat. 1106, 
"Mexican bor-
der period," 
81 Stat, 182, 
SEC. 6. Section 506 (a) (2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by striking out the comma after "child" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"or a person who has attained seventy-two years of age and has been 
paid pension thereunder during two consecutive calendar years,". 
SEC. 7. Section 503 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting before "United" in paragraph (4) thereof 
"servicemen's group life insurance,"; 
(2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (13) 
and inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding 
at the end thereof 
the following 
new 
paragraphs: 
"(14) amounts equal to prepayments on an indebtedness 
secured by a mortgage, or similar type security instrument, on 
real property (which was prior to death the principal residence 
of a veteran and spouse) made by the veteran or his widow, after 
the death of the spouse, during the year of death and the succeed-
ing year, if said indebtedness was in existence at the time of 
death; 
"(15) amounts in joint accounts in banks and similar institu-
tions acquired by reason of death of other joint owner; 
"(16) payments received by a retired employee from his 
former employer as reimbursement for monthly premiums for 
supplementary medical insurance benefits for the aged provided 
by part B of title X V I I I of the Social Security Act, as amended: 
"(17) payments of annuities elected under chapter 73 oi 
title 10." 
SEC. 8. (a) Section 415(g)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended (1) by inserting "and under the first sentence of section 
9(b) of the Veterans' Pension Act of 1959" immediately before the 
semicolon at the end of subparagraph (C), (2) by striking out the 
period at the end thereof and inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon, and 
(3) by adding at the end thereof the following new subparagraph: 
"(M) payments of annuities elected under chapter 73 of 
title 10." 
(b) Section 1441 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
strikmg out "except section 415 (g) and chapter 15 of title 38". 
SEC. 9, (a) Paragraph (11) of section 101 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting "the Mexican border period," immedi-
ately after "Spanish-American War,". 
(b) Such section 101 is further amended by adding at the end there-
of the following new paragraph: 
" (30) The term 'Mexican border period' means the period beginning 
on May 9, 1916, and ending on April 5, 1917, in the case of a veteran 
who during such period served for 90 days or more in Mexico, on the 
borders thereof, or in the waters adjacent thereto." 
(c) (1) Subsection (a) of section 521 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting "the Mexican border period," immedi-
ately before "World War I". 
(2) Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (g) of such section 521 
are each amended by inserting "the Mexican border period," immedi-
ately before "World War I". 
(3) The heading of such section 521 is amended by inserting "the 
Mexican border period," immediately before "World War I". 
(d) (1) Subsection (a) of section 541 of such title is amended by 
inserting "the Mexican border period," immediately before "World 
War I". 
(2) Subsection (e) (1) of such section 541 is amended by inserting 
"Mexican border period or" immediately before "World War I". 
73 Stat. 435. 
Ante, p. 1583. 
84 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC L
A
W 91-589-DEC. 24, 1970 
1585 
(3) The heading of such section 541 and the catchline immediately 
^^ ^*^'- ^^'^• 
before such heading are each amended by inserting "Mexican border 
period/' and "MEXICAN BORDER PERIOD;", respectively, immediately 
before "World War I" and "WORLD WAR I". 
(e) (1) Subsection (a) of section 542 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting "the Mexican border period," immediately 
before "World War I". 
(2) The heading of such section 542 is amended by inserting "Mexi-
can border period," immediately before "World War I". 
(f) Subsection (h) of section 612 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting "the Mexican border period,", immediately before 
"World War I,". 
(g) Section 901 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
7sltfu''5i2^^'' 
(1) by striking out "of Mexican border service," in subsection 
(a) ; ancl 
(2) by amending subsection (c) thereof to read as follows: 
"(c) For the purpose of this section, the term 'Mexican border 
period' as defined in paragraph (30) of section 101 of this title includes 
^"'*'' P- I584. 
the period beginning on January 1,1911, and ending on May 8,1916.". 
(h) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 15 of title 38, 
L^nited States Code, is amended 
(1) by inserting "the Mexican border period," immediately after 
"521. Veterans of''; 
(2) by striking out: " World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, 
and the Vietnam era 
'•.!)41. Widows of World War I, World War II, Korean conflict, or Vietnam era 
veterans. 
"542. Children of World War I, World War II, Korean conflict, or Vietnam era 
veterans." 
and inserting in lieu thereof: "Mexican border period. World War I, World 
War II, Korean conflict, and the Vietnam era 
•*541. Widows of Mexican border period. World War I, World War II, Korean 
conflict, or Vietnam era veterans. 
"542. Children of Mexican border period. World War I, World War II, Korean 
conflict, or Vietnam era veterans." 
SEC. 10. (a) Sections 1, 2 (a), (b), and (c), 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 shall 
Effective dates. 
take effect on January 1,1971. 
(b) Sections 2(d) and 6 shall take effect on January 1,1972. 
Approved December 24, 1970. 
Public Law 91-589 
J O I N T RESOLUTION 
December 24. 1970 
AutJiorizing the preparation and printing of a revised edition of the Constitution 
[s. j . Res. 236] 
of the United States of America—Analysis and Interpretation, of decennial 
revised editions thereof, and of biennial cumulative supplements to such 
revised editions. 
Whereas the Constitution of the United States of America—Analysis 
and Interpretation, published in 1964 as Senate Document Numbered 
39, Eighty-eighth Congress, serves a very useful purpose by supply-
ing essential information, not only to the Members of Congress but 
also to the public at large; 
Whereas such document contains annotations of cases decided by the 
Supreme Court of the United States to June 22, 1964; 
Whereas many cases bearing significantly upon the analysis and inter-
pretation of the Constitution have been decided by the Supreme 
Court since June 22, 1964;