THOMPSON, STEUBE, VARGAS, BERGMAN INTRODUCE BILL EXTENDING BENEFITS FOR MILITARY SURVIVORS | Representative Mike Thompson

THOMPSON, STEUBE, VARGAS, BERGMAN INTRODUCE BILL EXTENDING BENEFITS FOR MILITARY SURVIVORS

June 26, 2026

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) introduced the Granting Rollover Access and Contribution Extensions (GRACE) for Military Survivors Act, legislation to extend the time period in which surviving family members of a military service member can make important financial decisions about their survivor benefits. Reps. Greg Steube (FL-17), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Jack Bergman (MI-01) co-lead the bill. 

“Grieving military families have enough on their plates when they lose a loved one — they should not be forced to make urgent, consequential financial decisions on top of everything else. Ensuring families have the time they need to decide the best path forward just makes sense. Grateful to work with my colleagues to introduce this important legislation,” said Rep. Mike Thompson.  

“The families of our fallen service members have already sacrificed more than most Americans can imagine. The last thing they should have to worry about is financial deadlines while grieving the loss of a spouse, parent, or child,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “As a veteran, I understand the sacrifices made by military families, and they deserve to make thoughtful financial decisions without unnecessary pressure from the federal government.”

“When a service member dies in the line of duty, their families should never be forced to make urgent financial decisions while enduring the pain of immeasurable loss. They deserve time, flexibility, and grace,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “I’m grateful to join my colleagues in introducing this critical legislation.”  

"When a servicemember makes the ultimate sacrifice, their family deserves our unwavering support - not unnecessary bureaucratic deadlines. Military families should have the time and flexibility to make important financial decisions without added pressure during one of the most difficult moments of their lives. I'm proud to support the GRACE for Military Survivors Act to ensure we honor their sacrifice by giving surviving loved ones the compassion and certainty they deserve,” said Rep. Jack Bergman. 

BACKGROUND 

When a service member dies in the line of duty, surviving families are forced to navigate immense grief while also making important financial decisions under compressed timelines. Current law allows surviving spouses and children to roll over military death gratuities and Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) benefits into certain tax-advantaged savings accounts, but only within one year of receiving the benefits. For many military families, that timeline is simply too short. This legislation would provide surviving military families with additional flexibility and time to make thoughtful long-term financial decisions.

The bill would:

• Extend from one year to three years the period in which military death gratuities and SGLI payments may be contributed to Roth IRAs and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts without penalty.
• Ensure military families are not penalized while grieving and adjusting to life after the loss of a service member.

The GRACE for Military Survivors Act was developed in conjunction with Gold Star Spouses of America. Reps. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI) are original cosponsors. 

The bill is endorsed by: American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Gold Star Spouses of America, Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS), United Services Automobile Association (USAA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Veterans Survivor Coalition, Vietnam Veterans of America, and With Honor Action.

“Gold Star Spouses of America strongly supports the GRACE for Military Survivors Act. Surviving spouses are often advised not to make major financial decisions during the first year after the death of their loved one, a recommendation that can inadvertently cause families to miss opportunities to utilize military death benefits in tax-advantaged savings accounts. Extending the contribution period from one year to three years acknowledges the realities of grief and gives surviving families the time they need to make thoughtful financial decisions that strengthen their long-term financial security,” said Tamra Sipes, National President, Gold Star Spouses of America.

“Military families give more than most Americans will ever be asked to. When a service member passes, we should not ask surviving spouses and families to set aside their grief to focus on finances,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “This legislation is notable for what it is not—it is not partisan, costly, or controversial. It imposes no new federal spending, creates no new bureaucracy, and asks nothing of taxpayers. It simply removes an arbitrary constraint that punishes military survivors for taking the time they need to grieve. Keeping faith with military families means ensuring they are treated with dignity and compassion during life’s most difficult moments. With Honor Action enthusiastically endorses the GRACE for Military Survivors Act and appreciates For Country Caucus members Rep. Mike Thompson and Rep. Bergman for their strong commitment to honoring military families and those who served.”

“USAA is proud to support the GRACE for Military Survivors Act, which reflects both sound financial policy and compassion for military families. This bill gives military families the time and flexibility they need to make solid financial choices for the future, empowering them to achieve financial security.” said Maj. Gen. John Richardson, U.S. Army, Ret., USAA Senior Vice President, Head of Policy & Alliances.

“The current one-year deadline is often unrealistic for grieving military families navigating the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges that follow the loss of a loved one in service. The Veterans Survivor Coalition supports extending this window to three years gives survivors the time and flexibility they deserve to plan for their family’s future,” said the Veterans Survivor Coalition. 

The full text of the bill can be found here.

 

Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Oversight Hearing "Examining VA Benefits: Pension and Fiduciary, and VA Life Insurance Options”  Tuesday, April 21, 2026 |  1:15 PMLocation: 360 Cannon House Office Building | Kathleen McCarthy Subcommittees: Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Gold Star Spouses  begins at 1:28.  Information in entire testimony contains references to Surviving Spouses. 

Fox 5 News DC- Interview with Tamra Sipes

https://www.fox5dc.com/video/fmc-ooj6hlb1f8yq6f9x?fbclid=IwY2xjawRUsKNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYFRuRsybBkdEPGgQribVaLLrUej0Xj4cplLmr3vlFARiTpbC7dqEWL8BpvI_aem_M1-E2B4zaUFERlRcO4vfpQ

Tamra Sipes, President of Gold Star Spouses of America, joined Good Day DC to share what it means to be a Gold Star spouse—the surviving husband or wife of a U.S. service member who died while serving our country. This week, the organization is on Capitol Hill advocating for surviving families and ensuring their sacrifices are honored through action and policy.

Posted April 21, 2026 3:03pm EDT

Military.com | By Haley Fuller

Published April 18, 2026 at 4:15pm ET

There exists a persistent gap in how the federal government supports surviving military families, according to Tamra Sipes, national president of Gold Star Spouses of America, who spoke to Military.com ahead of a major advocacy effort in Washington and, more specifically, Capitol Hill.

Sipes is leading a delegation of roughly 40-50 surviving spouses and family members to the nation's capital, where they will meet directly with lawmakers to advocate for changes to survivor benefits—particularly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), or the primary monthly benefit paid to families of service members who die in the line of duty.

“We’re going to advocate for improving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, which affects every one of us,” Sipes said, emphasizing that the issue is central to the organization’s work. 

At the core of their argument is a disparity between military survivor benefits and those provided to other federal families. Sipes explained that surviving spouses of federal civilian employees can receive about 55% of compensation, while military surviving spouses receive closer to 43%.

That difference, she said, has real consequences for families trying to rebuild their lives.

“In real life, it’s about $450 or more a month,” she said, noting that the structure of DIC has not been meaningfully updated since 1993 beyond routine cost-of-living adjustments. 

Legislation Behind the Advocacy

The group’s Capitol Hill meetings will focus on several pieces of legislation designed to address these gaps.

The most comprehensive proposal is the Caring for Survivors Act, which would increase DIC payments to better align military survivor benefits with those provided to federal civilian employees. Sipes described this measure as the clearest path to achieving parity between the two systems. 

Alongside that effort, the organization is supporting H.R. 6047, known as the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Improvement Act, which is a broader package that increases Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for surviving families while also raising Special Monthly Compensation for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities.

It includes additional financial support for veterans requiring aid and attendance and makes changes to VA home loan fee rules that help fund those benefit increases. The bill carries personal significance for the families involved.

Sipes noted that Sharri Briley lost her husband during the 1993 Black Hawk Down mission and will be present on Capitol Hill as part of the advocacy effort.

A third priority, the Love Lives On Act, addresses remarriage restrictions that currently prevent surviving spouses from retaining benefits if they remarry before age 55. Advocates argue the policy forces younger widows and widowers, who are often raising children, to choose between financial stability and moving forward with their lives. 

What Advocacy on Capitol Hill Looks Like

The advocacy effort is scheduled to occur Tuesday, April 21, when participants will spend the day meeting with lawmakers and congressional staff.

Sipes described a structured but demanding schedule, with small groups moving from office to office across Capitol Hill, often spending 15-20 minutes in each meeting.

“We try to cover every single office on Capitol Hill,” she said, explaining that participants also conduct drop-in visits between scheduled meetings to reach as many offices as possible. 

Sipes said the experience serves as both advocacy and education, helping families understand that programs like DIC are determined by Congress. “It’s an education process,” she said, noting that lawmakers are often equally unaware of the disparity until it is explained directly. 

Original Article Link with photos: Gold Star Spouses Take on Capitol Hill, Push Congress For Survivor Benefits | Military.com

April 10, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News 

Finally this week, the department observed Gold Star Spouses Day on April 5.

The term gold star dates back to World War I and the first service flag. Robert L. Queissner, who had served in the Ohio National Guard, hung the first blue star banner in his window in 1917 in honor of his two sons fighting in Europe.

Other families began displaying star banners, with a blue star for each child in active military service. If a service member was killed in action or died from injuries, a gold star replaced the blue one, signifying the family's sacrifice. These families became known as Gold Star Families.

Gold Star Spouses Day is observed annually on April 5 to honor the surviving spouses of military service members who have died in the line of duty.

"We recognize the profound sacrifices made by the surviving spouses of our fallen heroes. Your unwavering strength and remarkable resilience continue to inspire us all. Today and always, we stand with you in solemn remembrance and deep gratitude," Podleski said.

News: Epic Fury Quelled for Now, Objectives Accomplished, U.S. Forces Remain Ready

Original Link:  https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4456466/this-week-in-dow-iran-ceasefire-daring-rescue-honoring-gold-star-spouses/

Story by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner 

1st Special Operations Wing  

The Military and Family Readiness Center created “Portraits of Service, Stories of Love,” a memorial display, to commemorate Gold Star Spouse’s Day at Hurlburt Field, Florida, March 30 to April 10, 2026.

The display of photographs and personal tributes from local Gold Star spouses, located in the M&FRC lobby, provides a space for service members to reflect on the enduring impact of loss and the strength of those left behind.

“Our intent is to create a meaningful way to keep their loved one's memories alive,” said an M&FRC community readiness consultant specializing in Air Force Families Forever.

One Gold Star spouse, Holly Loftis, spoke about her husband, Darin.

“Darin was a great dad to our two daughters and a wonderful husband,” said Loftis. “He could talk to anyone of any background and come away from the conversation having learned from them and having gained a friend. I will conclude with his own words that he wrote in a letter to our daughters. I think they also summarize his own life. ‘Make your way in life in such a manner that you don’t wonder what could have been, how you might have done, or how your talents might have unfolded.’”

Gold Star Spouse’s Day, April 5, originated during World War I when families would display flags with a blue star for each member serving. If the member died, the blue star was replaced with a gold one to showcase their ultimate sacrifice for their country.

“It’s easy to get wrapped up in our day-to-day lives as service members, so remembering those before us who made a significant impact is very important,” said another community readiness consultant.

However, Gold Star family support continues beyond the annual observance day through the Air Force Families Forever program, which connects surviving family members to the Air Force community. Through ongoing outreach, resources and personal engagement, the program reinforces the Air Force’s commitment to caring for families.

“Resilience is a major focus in the military, and that’s exactly what Gold Star spouses and families embody,” said the community readiness consultant. “This is not a path they planned for, but one they were forced to navigate, and it takes incredible strength. I hope those who see this reflect on their resilience and remember these families are still an important part of our Air and Space Force family.”

Read More: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/561969/hurlburt-recognizes-gold-star-spouses-day-with-portraits-service-stories-love

Each year on April 5, Gold Star Spouses Day, our nation honors the sacrifice, strength and resilience of the surviving spouses of fallen military service members. At VA, that recognition also means making sure surviving spouses know about the many benefits available to help them rebuild their lives.  

Surviving spouses may be eligible for a variety of VA benefits based on their late spouse’s service. 

Read More: https://news.va.gov/146027/gold-star-spouse-va-benefits/

Tunnel to Towers Foundation Delivers 30 Mortgage-Free Homes to Gold Star Families

Standing with America’s military families in honor of Gold Star Spouses Day

honor of Gold Star Spouses Day

April 03, 2026 11:00 ET  | Source: Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation

Staten Island, NY, April 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In observance of Gold Star Spouses Day, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is providing 30 mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families across our country. 

"This Gold Star Spouses Day, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is honored to stand with the families of those who have given everything for our country. Paying off the mortgages for these 30 families ensures the children of these heroes will always have a place to call home, free from any financial burden,” said Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller. 

The 30 homes are in 17 different states, stretching from coast to coast. They include the families of:

• Marine Corps Sergeant  Brian Hector Alvarado - Long Beach, CA
• Army Corporal Allen Losh - Santa Rosa, CA
• Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Nolan Jones - Longmont, CO
• Navy Machinist Mate First Class Marshall O'Connor - Washington, DC
• Navy Lieutenant Commander Darryl Hunter - Dumfries, VA
• Air Force Technical Sergeant Shawn Mette - Melbourne, FL
• Army First Sergeant August Alombro - New Smyrna Beach, FL
• Marine Corps Sergeant Carlos Baez - Orlando, FL 
• Marine Corps Sergeant Ward Johnson IV - Murrayville, GA
• Army Sergeant Benjamin Sherman - Plymouth, MA 
• Air Force Major Vernon Bryant Jr. - Woodstock, MD
• Army Sergeant Steven Ganczewski - Sparta, MI
• Marine Corps Lance Corporal Adam Wood - Ozark, MO
• Air Force Staff Sergeant Joshua Moore - Mooresville, NC
• Army Major Alexander Wingate - Cameron, NC
• Army & Air Force Staff Sergeant Michael R. Ehrhart II - South Webster, OH
• Air Force Senior Airman Robert Pearson - Newalla, OK
• Army Staff Sergeant Louis DePan - Killeen, TX
• Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Breon Coyle - Richmond, TX
• Army Captain Edward Anderson - Richmond, TX
• Navy Chief Petty Officer Caprice Pryor - Suffolk, VA

Read More: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/04/03/3268048/0/en/Tunnel-to-Towers-Foundation-Delivers-30-Mortgage-Free-Homes-to-Gold-Star-Families.html

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Angus King (I-Maine) today introduced the Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act, a legislative fix to correct a disparity in funeral and burial benefits for veterans who die from service-connected disabilities.

“Our nation’s veterans answered the call to serve and made incredible sacrifices for our freedoms,” said Risch. “My Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act ensures our veterans who are injured or wounded during their service are laid to rest with honor and dignity.”

“Veterans who die as a result of their service to our nation deserve to be honored appropriately, and their families deserve our full support,” said King. “Our Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act corrects an unintended disparity between service and non-service related deaths to even out the burial benefits for these veterans who served our country. On behalf of a grateful nation, it is the least we can do for these families.”

In 2020, Congress passed legislation that increased burial benefits for non-service-connected deaths and tied them to inflation. As a result, the benefit amount for non-service-connected deaths has surpassed that for service-connected deaths, which is capped at $2,000.

The Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act corrects this imbalance by increasing service-connected benefits from $2,000 to $3,000 and tying them to the same inflation adjustment as the non-service-connected benefit.

The Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act is supported by the Idaho Division of Veteran Services, the VFW, Gold Star Spouses of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, the National Funeral Directors Association, and TAPS.

“Honoring those who served our great nation should always be a priority, especially when a Veteran passes from a service-connected illness or injury.  This Bill ensures we continue to honor those Veterans and ease the financial burden placed on grieving families when it is time to lay their Veteran to rest,” said Mark Tschampl, Director of Idaho Division of Veteran Services.

“Gold Star Spouses of America strongly supports legislation introduced by Senator Jim Risch to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to increase the burial and funeral benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who die from service-connected disabilities. While no financial benefit can ever compensate for the loss of a service member or veteran, this legislation recognizes the responsibility our nation holds to care for the families left behind. Ensuring that those who died as a result of their service are honored with dignity and that their families are not burdened with preventable financial strain, is a matter of basic respect and gratitude,” said Tamra Sipes, National President, Gold Star Spouses of America.

Original Article: https://www.risch.senate.gov/news/press-releases/risch-king-introduce-bill-to-correct-veteran-burial-benefits/

Gold Star Spouse Advocates Visit DVMF

On February 25, Danielle Charles, president of the Gold Star Spouses of America – Aberdeen Chapter, testified before the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 0842, which would remove the two-year deadline for surviving spouses to qualify for Maryland’s property tax exemption. Danielle and her children, Jeremiah and Autumn also met with DVMF Secretary Rothstein.

Original Article: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDVA/bulletins/40c4472#:~:text=Gold%20Star%20Spouse%20Advocates%20Visit,the%20Gold%20Star%20Spouses%20of