Gold Star Families & Survivor Benefits

Gold Star families are the next of kin of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who lost their life in a qualifying situation — such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the U.S. Armed Forces.

The term traces back to World War I, when families displayed service flags with a gold star to signify a loved one who died in service. Today, the designation connects families to a range of federal and state benefits.

DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died on active duty or veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease. It is the primary compensation benefit for surviving families.

Eligibility, current rates, and application instructions are covered in detail on the dedicated DIC page.

The Survivors Pension is a needs-based benefit for unremarried surviving spouses and dependent children of wartime veterans. Unlike DIC, it is not limited to service-connected deaths — the veteran's death does not need to be related to their military service.

Veteran Service Requirements

• Entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980: at least 90 days of active service with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period
• Entered active duty after September 7, 1980: at least 24 months (or the full call-up period) with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period
• Did not receive a dishonorable discharge

Surviving Spouse Requirements

• Have not remarried after the veteran's death
• Yearly family income and net worth meet limits set by Congress

Dependent Child Requirements

• Unmarried and under age 18
• Under age 23 and attending a VA-approved school
• Unable to self-care due to a disability that occurred before age 18

2026 Pension Rates (Effective December 1, 2025)

Surviving Spouse — No Dependents

Surviving Spouse — With 1 Dependent Child

• Qualified surviving child (alone): $2,984 per year
• Each additional child: $2,984 per year
• Net worth eligibility limit: $163,699 (December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026)
• 2025 COLA increase: 2.8%

How to Apply

• Online: Use QuickSubmit through AccessVA
• By mail: Send VA Form 21P-534EZ to Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365
• In person at a VA regional office

A one-time, tax-free payment of $100,000 paid to the designated or eligible beneficiaries of service members who die while on active duty or in certain Reserve statuses. Also payable if an eligible member dies within 120 days of release from active duty when the death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.

• Payment timeline: Normally paid within 72 hours of notification
• Beneficiary designation: Designated on DD Form 93; can be split among multiple beneficiaries
• Statutory authority: 10 USC 1477 (beneficiaries) and 10 USC 1478 (amount)

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

• Coverage up to $500,000 in $50,000 increments
• Maximum coverage costs $26.00/month (5 cents per $1,000 of coverage plus $1 TSGLI)
• Death benefit equals the elected coverage level, paid to designated beneficiaries
• Terminally ill members may file for accelerated benefits (Form SGLV 8284)
• Disabled separating members may receive a free SGLI extension for up to 2 years

Family SGLI (FSGLI)

• Spouse coverage: up to $100,000 (cannot exceed the member's SGLI amount)
• Dependent children: $10,000 per child — coverage is free (no premium)
• Death benefit claims: Form SGLV 8283A

The Survivor Benefit Plan is a Department of Defense program providing a monthly annuity to eligible survivors of military retirees. It is elected at retirement.

• Benefit amount: Up to 55% of the retiree's selected base amount, paid monthly for life
• Cost: 6.5% of the elected base amount, deducted pre-tax from retirement pay
• Base amount range: $300 to full gross retired pay
• SBP-DIC offset eliminated: As of January 2023, survivors receive both SBP and DIC in full — no more dollar-for-dollar reduction
• COLA: SBP annuities receive the same annual COLA as military retirement pay (2.8% effective December 1, 2025)
• Statutory authority: Chapter 73, Title 10, U.S. Code

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) provides health care coverage to surviving spouses and dependents of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or were permanently and totally disabled at death.

Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA — Chapter 35)

DEA provides up to 36 months of education and training benefits to eligible dependents of veterans who died from a service-connected condition or are permanently and totally disabled from service-connected conditions. Covers degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

Provides Post-9/11 GI Bill-level benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. Covers full tuition at public schools, a monthly housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Survivors using the Fry Scholarship at participating private or out-of-state schools may be eligible for Yellow Ribbon benefits to cover tuition costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill cap.

Surviving spouses may be eligible for a VA-guaranteed home loan — the same benefit available to veterans, including no down payment and no private mortgage insurance.

Eligibility

The surviving spouse qualifies if the veteran:

• Is missing in action or a prisoner of war
• Died during active service or from a service-connected disability, and the surviving spouse has not remarried
• Died from a service-connected cause and the spouse did not remarry before age 57 or before December 16, 2003
• Had a total service-connected disability rating at the time of death (death cause may differ)

Available Loan Types

• Purchase loans
• Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL)
• Cash-out refinance loans

How to Apply

• If receiving DIC: Complete VA Form 26-1817 (Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility) and submit with DD214 to your lender or regional loan center
• If not receiving DIC: First complete VA Form 21P-534EZ, then mail with DD214, marriage license, and death certificate to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365

VA provides free, confidential bereavement counseling to surviving family members through community-based Vet Centers. Records are kept separate from other VA offices and cannot be shared without your permission.

Who Is Eligible

• Surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died while serving
• Family of a Reservist or National Guard member who died while on active duty
• Family of a veteran who was receiving Vet Center services at the time of death
• Family of a veteran or service member who died by suicide

How to Access

• Phone: 877-927-8387 (TTY: 711) — available 24/7
• Services available in person, by phone, or by video
• Find a Vet Center near you

Surviving spouses may be eligible for derived veterans' preference — a 10-point preference (XP) in federal job appointments — when the veteran is unable to use it due to death.

Eligibility

• You and the veteran did not divorce, and you have not remarried (or any remarriage was annulled)
• The veteran served during a war, during April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955, or in a campaign or expedition for which an authorized medal was awarded
• Statutory authority: 5 USC 2108

How to Apply

Submit Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference," with acceptable documentation proving eligibility. Learn more at OPM's Veteran Family Members page.

Gold Star families are eligible for a free lifetime pass granting entrance to national parks and federal recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

What the Pass Covers

• Entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees
• Covers the pass holder plus occupants of a single private vehicle, or the pass holder and three additional people (ages 16+) where per-person fees apply
• Does not cover camping, tours, special recreation permits, reservation fees, or concession-operated facilities

How to Get It

• In person: Free at many national parks — present a Gold Star Voucher (printable online)
• Online: Free digital pass through Recreation.gov or physical pass through the USGS Store ($10 processing fee)

In addition to federal benefits, many states offer Gold Star families benefits including:

• Property tax exemptions
• Vehicle registration fee waivers
• Tuition waivers at state colleges and universities
• State park passes
• Gold Star license plates

Benefits and eligibility vary by state and change frequently. Use the VetAtlas state benefits tool for current details specific to your state.

• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) — provides peer-based emotional support, grief counseling referrals, and casework assistance to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. 24/7 helpline: 800-959-8277
• Gold Star Wives of America — a congressionally chartered service organization offering peer support, advocacy, and information for surviving military spouses