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Financial security for dependents of deceased
naval officers is guaranteed under the Service-
man’s and Veteran’s Survivor Benefits Act, which
places all members of the armed forces under
Social Security.
The Survivor Benefits Act is a package deal
for long-range security of service families. It
combines full and permanent Social Security
eligibility with increased death and indemnity
benefits paid by the VA to dependents of persons
who die as a result of military service. The latter
benefits are separate from Social Security and
accrue whether death occurs during peace or war,
as long as it results from a service-connected
cause. When sums paid by both sources are
added, they amount to a monthly income for your
family that only those in the most fortunate
financial circumstances could provide in civilian
life. That income can be augmented by a retire-
ment annuity made possible through the Survivor
Benefit Plan.
In addition to a liberal schedule of death
gratuities and monthly compensation payments,
the act provides for a considerable number
of miscellaneous benefits. These include, for
example, shipment of household effects, depen-
dents’ transportation, homestead privileges for
establishing a home on government land, federal
employment privileges, commissary and exchange
privileges, and Medicare.
If a naval officer dies while in active service
or of service-connected causes within 120 days
after release, the designated survivor also is
entitled to the following benefits:
1. Navy death gratuity equal to one-half of
a year’s pay. The amount may not be less than
$800. It is paid as promptly as possible and is not
taxable.
2. Payment up to $2,140 toward private
funeral and burial expenses for services not
provided by the government or for interment at
no expense in any open national cemetery. A
headstone for the deceased is furnished in either
case.
In addition to other survivor benefits, all
persons on active duty in excess of 30 days are
covered by a $50,000 Servicemen’s Group Life
Insurance policy at a cost to the service member
of only $4 per month. Although service members
will find this coverage is extremely inexpensive,
they may reduce or terminate it if requested in
writing. A life insurance program is an important
factor for any officer to consider, especially if one
has family responsibilities.
SUMMARY
Navy life is a demanding life. It calls for
complete loyalty and dedication and for a great
measure of selflessness. It involves pleasant
assignments and those that are not so pleasant;
but every billet you fill can be an opportunity for
gain for the Navy, your shipmates, and yourself.
A person must be mature and observant to always
see these opportunities, but they are there. At
times it can be a dangerous life. Danger is inherent
in an armed service and particularly a service with
worldwide commitments. But for the person with
a desire to serve country and oneself in a variety
of interesting and challenging ways, it is a
stimulating, satisfying way of life.
The family of the naval officer is a vital part
of the Navy team. Far more so than in civilian
life, a Navy spouse has the opportunity to
further the officer’s career. The spouse’s patience,
understanding, and acceptance of additional
family responsibility contribute immeasurably to
the officer’s peace of mind. Because of the respon-
sibilities of officers in the world’s foremost Navy,
their peace of mind is essential to their best
performance of duty. Therefore, the welfare of
their families, leading to happy home lives, plays
a major role toward the success of the Navy.
The Navy recognizes the importance of the
role played by the officer’s family. It also realizes
service families can best do their part only when
they are taken care of and kept informed of the
Navy’s functions and missions to the fullest
possible extent. Families should be encouraged,
therefore, to learn about the great responsibility
that falls upon naval officers and realize how
much they can contribute toward achieving the
Navy’s goals.
The very nature of naval officers’ occupations
gives their family a range of experience un-
paralleled by their civilian counterparts in the
world today. Inherently this range gives rise
to equally unparalleled social and cultural
opportunities for entire families. How people
profit from these opportunities is up to them; the
doorway is there and it is invitingly open.
Because of their mutual importance to the
Navy, officers and their families have every right
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