When a Veteran is Promoted to Heaven

I'm still helping my sister-in-law work through the passing of her husband. Sadly, he didn't prepare her for this, but I'm glad to be close enough to help out. I provide this long list of offices to contact in the event the need comes up in your future.

(your state) Veterans Affairs - Offices are likely close to your location. They can walk the survivor through everything that the VA can provide. It ranges from helping with funeral expenses, to seeing if the spouse qualifies for a Survivor's Pension or a special VA home loan, and more. There's also a generous Survivor's Indemnity pension if the veteran's death was service-connected and the spouse has limited assets to live on.

Veteran's Benefits Assistance Services (1-800-827-1000) - They can give you a list of who you should contact.

DFAS (1-800-321-1080) - If the veteran had a retirement pension, they can confirm whether or not it will continue to be given to the spouse. If not, they will tell you when to expect the final payment. They will ask you for a copy of the death certificate.

Social Security (1-800-772-1213) - If you were already getting SS payments, the survivor will get the larger of the two payments, but not both. If the survivor isn't of retirement age, there many be other benefits to help out. SS will need a copy of the marriage certificate.

TriCare For Life (1-866-773-0404) - By now, most military retirees are probably in this medical plan. The spouse will continue to receive it.

DEERS (1-800-538-9552) - A copy of the death certificate needs to go to them.

Medical Records online (www.va.gov/health-care/get-medical-records) - This option was a big fail.

Military One Source (www.militaryonesource.mil) - This office can set up a military memorial service. The site also has a Survivor's Benefit Guide you can download.

Medicare (1-800-633-4227) - Social Security informs them of the death.

Express Scripts (1-877-363-1303) - For cancelling mailed prescriptions.

Good information.

We crunched the numbers and looked at the "survivor" program on my military retirement. Because the payment reducing my retirement was pretty significant, and the benefits to my wife would be at a noticeably reduced level, and that I was in better health than my wife, we declined it.

She WILL receive my total police pension, without reduction when I should pass.

I told her to take her Social Security Check, put it into her retirement fund, and she will have more money than if we took the reduction in pay for the survivor's plan.

(And if we both kick off, we'll be leaving more money for our kids.)

Good info