Military Death Benefits: What Survivors May Qualify For

Last verified October 3, 2026.

Military death benefits come through separate programs, each with its own rules: a $100,000 tax-exempt death gratuity for deaths connected to active duty,^[2][9] up to $500,000 of SGLI life insurance when coverage was in force,^[10] a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity of 55 percent of the covered retired pay for retirees who are covered,^[11] VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation starting at $1,699.36 a month for an eligible surviving spouse in 2026,^[6] a VA burial allowance,^[7] and education, health, and Social Security benefits.

Eligibility for one program doesn’t establish eligibility for another.

When a service member dies on active duty, the service branch assigns a casualty assistance officer or representative. Use that person as the first coordinator.^[1] Survivors of retirees and Veterans can start with DFAS, VA, the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, and a VA-accredited representative as each section requires.^[3][4][8]

What it is: A one-time, tax-exempt payment of $100,000 for eligible deaths connected to active duty or qualifying training status; the amount is set by federal statute.^[2][9] A service member can designate recipients in 10% increments. Federal law supplies a payment order for any undesignated share.^[2]

Action: Work through casualty assistance. Military OneSource states that payment is normally made within 72 hours after the government receives DD Form 397, the claim certification and voucher.^[2]

Important limit: Eligibility depends on the member's duty status and the circumstances specified in law. The casualty office determines whether the program applies.

What it is: SGLI provides up to $500,000 in coverage, in $50,000 increments, when the service member had coverage in force.^[10] The named beneficiary and the policy election control the payment.^[3]

Action: File SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits, with the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance. The casualty assistance officer can help locate the beneficiary election and claim form.

Important limit: The maximum isn’t the amount every claim pays. The member could reduce or decline coverage.

What it is: SBP is a monthly annuity tied to military retired pay, set by statute at 55 percent of the covered base amount.^[11] A retiree pays premiums for the coverage, and full basic coverage for a spouse and children is automatic at retirement unless the retiree makes another valid election.^[4] A separate statutory rule covers the surviving spouse of a member who dies on active duty after becoming eligible for retired pay, or in the line of duty.^[14]

Action: Report the retiree's death to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service and submit the documents DFAS requests. Retired pay stops at death, so reporting also prevents an overpayment.

Current rule: The SBP-DIC offset was fully eliminated effective January 1, 2023; the statute now pays "the full amount of the annuity" on and after that date.^[12] Eligible surviving spouses who qualify for both programs receive full SBP and DIC payments.^[6] DFAS said it made the offset adjustment automatically for affected recipients.^[5]

What it is: VA DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for eligible surviving spouses, children, or parents when the service and cause-of-death rules are met. For a surviving spouse of a Veteran who died on or after January 1, 1993, the 2026 base monthly rate starts at $1,699.36. The rate is effective December 1, 2025. Added amounts can apply for eligible children, the eight-year provision, Aid and Attendance, or housebound status.^[6]

Action: Review eligibility and file through VA. A VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization representative, claims agent, or attorney can help without changing the official eligibility rules.

Important limit: DIC, Survivors Pension, and SBP are different programs. VA determines DIC from the service record and applicable law. Don’t rely on an estimate from another program.

• Burial benefits: VA burial allowances, transportation reimbursement, a national cemetery burial, a marker, and other memorial items have separate eligibility rules. The allowance is $2,000 for a service-connected death on or after September 11, 2001. For a non-service-connected death on or after October 1, 2026, VA pays a $1,032 burial allowance and $1,032 for a plot. For a death on or after October 1, 2025 and before October 1, 2026, it's $1,002 for each. A headstone or marker allowance of $441 can apply. Amounts depend on the date and circumstances of death.^[7]
• Health coverage: TRICARE or CHAMPVA eligibility depends on the service member's status and the survivor's relationship. Confirm coverage directly before changing any health plan.
• Education: The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program and the Fry Scholarship cover different survivor groups. Apply through VA education benefits after confirming which program applies.^[8][13]
• Social Security: Monthly Social Security survivor benefits and the one-time lump-sum death payment require their own SSA review and application. They're covered in our Social Security survivor-benefits guide.

Create one page for each program. Record the agency, benefit name, date reported, claim number, forms submitted, documents still needed, representative, and next follow-up date. Keep copies of every submission and decision.

A denial from one program doesn’t decide another program. Read the appeal instructions and deadline on each decision. A VA-accredited representative or military-survivor benefits attorney can review a disputed VA claim.