Ruppersberger Co-Sponsors Legislation That Will Restore Full Military Survivor Benefits To American Families

Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is proud to be an original co-sponsor of legislation introduced today in Congress that will restore full military survivor benefits to American families. The bill is sponsored by Congressman Jeff Miller (R) of Florida.

Members of the military who signed up for survivor benefits in the 1970's were led to believe that they were purchasing annuities that would provide their surviving spouses 55% of their retired pay for life. After paying decades of premiums, their surviving loves ones feel betrayed when they later learn that their benefits actually drop by more than a third when they reach age 62.

This issue affects approximately 250,000 military survivors, mostly widows, across the country according to The Military Coalition of Alexandria, VA.

"These Americans served our country well and their families made countless sacrifices along the way. The United States Government made a promise to these men and women in uniform that it would support their surviving spouses once they were gone. We have broken that promise. Many military families rely on this payment to make ends meet and our government is taking it away. This is wrong. We need to give the spouses of our dedicated servicemen and women the treatment they deserve. We must keep our word," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).