38-U.S.C.-1541
§1541 – Surviving Spouses of Veterans of A Period of War
Pathway
Title 38 > Part II > Chapter 15 > Subchapter III > Other Periods Of War – Section 1541
Details
- Reference: Other Periods Of War – Section 1541
- Legend: §1541 – Surviving Spouses of Veterans of A Period of War
- USCode Year: 2013
Provision Content
(a) The Secretary shall pay to the surviving spouse of each veteran of a period of war who met the service requirements prescribed in section 1521(j) of this title, or who at the time of death was receiving (or entitled to receive) compensation or retirement pay for a service-connected disability, pension at the rate prescribed by this section, as increased from time to time under section 5312 of this title.
(b) If no child of the veteran is in the custody of the surviving spouse, pension shall be paid to the surviving spouse at the annual rate of $7,933, reduced by the amount of the surviving spouses annual income.
(c) If there is a child of the veteran in the custody of the surviving spouse, pension shall be paid to the surviving spouse at the annual rate of $10,385. If the surviving spouse has custody of two or more such children, the annual pension rate shall be increased by $2,020 for each such child in excess of one. In each case, the rate payable shall be reduced by the amount of the surviving spouses annual income and, subject to subsection (g) of this section, the annual income of each such child.
(d)(1) If a surviving spouse who is entitled to pension under subsection (b) of this section is in need of regular aid and attendance, the annual rate of pension payable to such surviving spouse shall be $12,681, reduced by the amount of the surviving spouses annual income.
(2) If a surviving spouse who is entitled to pension under subsection (c) of this section is in need of regular aid and attendance, the annual rate of pension payable to the surviving spouse shall be $15,128. If there are two or more children of the veteran in such surviving spouses custody, the annual rate of pension shall be increased by $2,020 for each such child in excess of one. The rate payable shall be reduced by the amount of the surviving spouses annual income and, subject to subsection (g) of this section, the annual income of each such child.
(e)(1) If the surviving spouse is permanently housebound but does not qualify for pension at the aid and attendance rate provided by subsection (d) of this section, the annual rate of pension payable to such surviving spouse under subsection (b) of this section shall be $9,696 and the annual rate of pension payable to such surviving spouse under subsection (c) of this section shall be $12,144. If there are two or more children of the veteran in such surviving spouses custody, the annual rate of pension shall be increased by $2,020 for each such child in excess of one. The rate payable shall be reduced by the amount of the surviving spouses annual income and, subject to subsection (g) of this section, the income of any child of the veteran for whom the surviving spouse is receiving increased pension.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the requirement of permanently housebound shall be met when the surviving spouse is substantially confined to such surviving spouses house (ward or clinical areas, if institutionalized) or immediate premises by reason of a disability or disabilities reasonably certain to remain throughout such surviving spouses lifetime.
(f) No pension shall be paid under this section to a surviving spouse of a veteran unless the spouse was married to the veteran—
(1) before (A) December 14, 1944, in the case of a surviving spouse of a Mexican border period or World War I veteran, (B) January 1, 1957, in the case of a surviving spouse of a World War II veteran, (C) February 1, 1965, in the case of a surviving spouse of a Korean conflict veteran, (D) May 8, 1985, in the case of a surviving spouse of a Vietnam era veteran, or (E) January 1, 2001, in the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran of the Persian Gulf War;
(2) for one year or more; or
(3) for any period of time if a child was born of the marriage, or was born to them before the marriage.
(g) In determining the annual income of a surviving spouse for the purposes of this section, if there is a child of the veteran in the custody of the surviving spouse, that portion of the annual income of the child that is reasonably available to or for the surviving spouse shall be considered to be income of the surviving spouse, unless in the judgment of the Secretary to do so would work a hardship on the surviving spouse.
(h) As used in this section and section 1542 of this title, the term veteran includes a person who has completed at least two years of honorable active military, naval, or air service, as certified by the Secretary concerned, but whose death in such service was not in line of duty.
(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1138, §541; Pub. L. 86–211, §4, Aug. 29, 1959, 73 Stat. 434; Pub. L. 88–664, §3(c), (d), Oct. 13, 1964, 78 Stat. 1095; Pub. L. 90–77, title I, §§101(a), 106, title II, §202(d)–(f), Aug. 31, 1967, 81 Stat. 178, 179, 182; Pub. L. 90–275, §1(c), (d), Mar. 28, 1968, 82 Stat. 65, 66; Pub. L. 91–588, §§1(c), (d), 9(d), Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1581, 1584; Pub. L. 92–198, §1(c)–(e), Dec. 15, 1971, 85 Stat. 663, 664; Pub. L. 93–177, §1(c), (d), 2, Dec. 6, 1973, 87 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 93–527, §3, Dec. 21, 1974, 88 Stat. 1703; Pub. L. 94–169, title I, §§101(2)(B), (C), (H), 103, 106(40), Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1013, 1014, 1016, 1019; Pub. L. 94–432, title II, §203, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1370; Pub. L. 95–204, title I, §102, Dec. 2, 1977, 91 Stat. 1456; Pub. L. 95–588, title I, §109(a), Nov. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 2503; Pub. L. 102–25, title III, §333(b), Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 88; Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(d)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 239; renumbered §1541 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, §§4(b)(1), (2)(E), 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404–406; Pub. L. 111–275, title VI, §608(b), Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2887.)
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–275, §608(b)(1), substituted $7,933 for $2,379.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–275, §608(b)(2), substituted $10,385 for $3,116 and $2,020 for $600.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 111–275, §608(b)(3)(A), substituted $12,681 for $3,806.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 111–275, §608(b)(3)(B), substituted $15,128 for $4,543 and $2,020 for $600.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 111–275, §608(b)(4), substituted $9,696 for $2,908, $12,144 for $3,645, and $2,020 for $600.
1991—Pub. L. 102–83, §5(a), renumbered section 541 of this title as this section.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–83, §5(c)(1), substituted 1521(j) for 521(j).
Pub. L. 102–83, §4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted Secretary for Administrator.
Pub. L. 102–40 substituted 5312 for 3112.
Subsec. (f)(1)(E). Pub. L. 102–25 added cl. (E).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–83, §4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted Secretary for Administrator.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 102–83, §5(c)(1), substituted 1542 for 542.
1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–588 revised eligibility provisions relating to surviving spouses to apply to veterans of any period of war rather than veterans of specifically named wars and inserted reference to periodic increases of rate of pension payments pursuant to section 3112 of this title.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–588 qualified parental requirement of this subsection by inserting custody provision, substituted a fixed pension amount of $2,379 for a formula for determining such annual pension based upon annual income of the veteran, and struck out minimum and maximum monthly payment requirements.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–588 qualified parental requirement of this subsection by inserting custody provision, substituted a fixed pension amount of $3,116 for a formula for determining such annual pension based upon annual income of the veteran, and inserted a provision authorizing an annual pension rate increase of $600 for each family member of an eligible veteran in excess of one.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–588 substituted provisions prescribing a fixed amount of $3,806, as reduced by an annual income deduction, as the annual rate of pension payable to a surviving spouse entitled to a pension under subsec. (b) of this section and in need of regular aid and attendance and a fixed amount of $4,543, subject to a similar deduction for income of spouse and child, as the annual rate of pension payable to a surviving spouse entitled to a pension under subsec. (c) of this section and in need of such aid for provision prescribing the monthly rate of pension payable under subsec. (c) of this section where there is a surviving spouse and more than one child.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 95–588 substituted provisions relating to a surviving spouse who is permanently housebound for provisions specifying the eligibility requirements for such surviving spouses.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 95–588 substituted provisions specifying the eligibility requirements for surviving spouses for provision defining veteran.
Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 95–588 added subsecs. (g) and (h).
1977—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 95–204, §102(1), increased monthly rate of pension from $125 to $133, inserted authorization for reductions by .07 for amounts more than 2,800 but not more than 3,770, and substituted 1,100 for 1,200 in two places, 1,800 for 2,300 in two places, and 2,800 for 3,540.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 95–204, §102(2), substituted $3,770 for $3,540.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 95–204, §102(3), increased monthly rate of pension from $149 to $159, and substituted 1,600 for 1,700 in two places, 2,400 for 2,500 in two places, 2,900 for 3,300 in two places, and 5,070 for 4,760.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 95–204, §102(4), substituted $5,070 for $4,760.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–204, §102(5), substituted $26 for $24.
1976—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 94–432, §203(1), increased monthly rate of pension from $117 to $125 and substituted $900 to $1,200 for $900 to $1,500, $1,200 to $2,300 for $1,500 to $2,700 and $2,300 to $3,540 for $2,700 to $3,300.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 94–432, §203(2), substituted $3,540 for $3,300.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 94–432, §203(3), increased monthly rate of pension from $139 to $149 and substituted $1,100 to $1,700 for $1,100 to $1,800, $1,700 to $2,500 for $1,800 to $2,700, $2,500 to $3,300 for $2,700 to $3,500 and $3,300 to $4,760 for $3,500 to $4,500.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 94–432, §203(4), substituted $4,760 for $4,500.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–432, §203(5), substituted $24 for $22.
1975—Pub. L. 94–169, §101(2)(H), substituted Surviving Spouses for Widows in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–169, §101(2)(B), substituted surviving spouse for widow and struck out his before death.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–169, §103(1), increased, effective for period beginning Jan. 1, 1976, and ending Sept. 30, 1976, monthly rate of pension from $108 to $117, substituted $900 to $1500 for $900 to $2100, $1500 to $2700 for $2100 to $3000 the minimum and maximum income ranges for which the pension rates will be reduced by 4 and 5 cents per dollar, respectively, inserted income range of $2700 to $3300 for which the pension rate will be reduced by 6 cents, and increased from $3000 to $3300 the maximum income in excess of which no pension will be paid.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–169, §103(1), increased, effective for period beginning Jan. 1, 1976, and ending Sept. 30, 1976, pension rate from $128 to $139, substituted $1100 to $1800 for $1100 to $2100, $1800 to $2700 for $2100 to $3000, $2700 to $3500 for $3000 to $4200 the minimum and maximum income ranges for which the pension rates will be reduced by 2, 3 and 4 cents per dollar, respectively, inserted income range of $3500 to $4500 for which the rate will be reduced by 5 cents, and increased the maximum income from $4200 to $4500 in excess of which no pension will be paid.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–169, §103(2), substituted, effective for period beginning Jan. 1, 1976, and ending Sept. 30, 1976, surviving spouse for widow and $22 for $20.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94–169, §101(2)(C), substituted to a surviving spouse of a veteran under this section unless the spouse was married to the veteran for to a widow of a veteran under this section unless she was married to him, and (D) May 8, 1985, in the case of a surviving spouse of a Vietnam era veteran for (D) before the expiration of ten years following termination of the Vietnam era in the case of a widow of a Vietnam era veteran.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 94–169, §106(40), substituted surviving spouse for widow in subcls. (A), (B) and (C).
1974—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93–527, §3(1), substituted $108 for $96, $900 for $1400 wherever appearing, and $2100 for $2600, and inserted provisions for reduction by 5 cents for each dollar of annual income in excess of $2100 up to and including $3000, that in no event shall monthly rate of pension be less than $5.00, and raising the maximum income from $2600 to $3000.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–527, §3(2), substituted $128 for $114, and $2100 for $2500 wherever appearing, $3000 for $3400 wherever appearing, and $4200 for $3800 wherever appearing.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–527, §3(3), substituted $20 for $18.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 93–527, §3(4), added subsec. (f).
1973—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93–177, §1(c), substituted $86 for $87 and $1,400 for $1,900.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–177, §1(d), substituted $700 for $600, $114 for $104, $1,100 for $1,400, $2,500 for $2,700, and $3,400 for $3,800 in existing provisions and inserted provision for a reduction of 4 cents in monthly rate for each $1 of annual income in excess of $3,400 up to and including $3,800.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–177, §2, substituted $18 for $17.
1971—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 92–198, §1(c), substituted formula for computing monthly pension rates of widow without child by providing for a maximum monthly pension for each group within designated income category and for computing each individuals monthly pension by reducing the maximum rate by a specified number of cents for each dollar by which the minimum income limitation for that group is exceeded, for table setting out income and pension rates, and raised the maximum income from $2,300 to $2,600.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 92–198, §1(d), substituted formula for computing monthly pension rates of widow with one child by providing for a maximum monthly pension for each group with designated annual income category and for computing each individuals monthly benefit rate by reducing the maximum rate by a specified number of cents for each dollar by which the minimum income limitation for that group is exceeded, for table setting out income and pension rates, and further providing that whenever the monthly rate payable is less than the amount payable to the child under section 542 of this title, the widow would be paid at the childs rate, and raised the maximum income from $3,500 to $3,800.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 92–198, §1(e), substituted $17 for $16.
1970—Pub. L. 91–588, §9(d)(3), inserted reference to Mexican border period in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 91–588, §9(d)(1), inserted reference to Mexican border period.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 91–588, §1(c), provided new annual income limits to measure monthly pension rates of widow without child by inserting minimum income limits of $2,000, $2,100, and $2,200 with maximum limits of $2,100, $2,200, and $2,300 for monthly benefits of $29, $23, and $17, respectively, and within existing annual income limits from a maximum of $300 to a maximum of $2,000, as well as the in-between limits set out in one-hundred dollar increments, the applicable monthly benefit for each limit was amended, respectively, by substituting in column II $81 for $74, 80 for 73, 79 for 72, 78 for 70, 76 for 67, 73 for 64, 70 for 61, 67 for 58, 64 for 55, 61 for 51, 58 for 48, 55 for 45, 51 for 41, 48 for 37, 45 for 33, 41 for 29, 37 for 23, and 33 for 17.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–588, §1(d), provided new annual income limits to measure monthly pension rates of widow with one child by inserting minimum income limits of $3,200, $3,300, and $3,400 with maximum limits of $3,300, $3,400, and $3,500 for monthly benefits of $45, $43, and $41, respectively, and within existing annual income limits from a maximum of $600 to a maximum of $3,200, as well as the in-between limits set out in one-hundred dollar increments, the applicable monthly benefit for each limit was amended, respectively, by substituting in column II $99 for $90, 98 for 89, 97 for 88, 96 for 87, 95 for 86, 94 for 85, 92 for 83, 90 for 81, 88 for 79, 86 for 77, 84 for 75, 82 for 73, 80 for 71, 78 for 69, 76 for 67, 74 for 65, 72 for 63, 70 for 61, 68 for 59, 66 for 57, 64 for 55, 62 for 53, 59 for 51, 56 for 48, 53 for 45, 51 for 43, and 48 for 41.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 91–588, §9(d)(2), inserted reference to Mexican border period.
1968—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90–275, §1(c), in providing new annual income limits to measure monthly pension rates of widow without child, substituted minimum income limit of $300 for monthly benefit of $74 for former $600 limit for monthly benefit of $70, maximum income limit of $2,000 for monthly benefit of $17 for former $1,800 limit for monthly benefit of $29, and sixteen other in-between limits in one hundred dollar increments from more than $300 to less than $1,900 for monthly benefits of $73 to $23 for former in-between limit of more than $600 but less than $1,200 for monthly benefit of $51.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–275, §1(d), in providing new annual income limits to measure monthly pension rates of widow with one child, substituted minimum income limit of $600 for monthly benefit of $90 for former $1,000 limit for monthly benefit of $86, maximum income limit of $3,200 for monthly benefit of $41 for former $3,000 limit for monthly benefit of $45, and twenty-five other in-between limits in one hundred dollar increments from more than $600 to less than $3,100 for monthly benefits of $89 to $43 for former in-between limit of more than $1,000 but less than $2,000 for monthly benefit of $67.
1967—Pub. L. 90–77, §202(f), inserted reference to Vietnam era in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–77, §202(d), inserted reference to Vietnam era.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90–77, §106(a), increased monthly pension rate in column II from $64, $48, and $27 to $70, $51, and $29, respectively.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–77, §106(b), increased monthly pension rate in column II from $80, $64, and $43 to $86, $67, and $45, respectively.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 90–77, §106(c), substituted $16 for $15.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 90–77, §202(e), added item (D).
Subsec. (e)(2), (3). Pub. L. 90–77, §101(a), qualified widow of a veteran for a pension by reducing in par. (2) the requisite marriage period from five years to one year and by making her eligible for benefits in par. (3) in event of antenuptial birth.
1964—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 88–664, §3(c), increased monthly pension rate in column II from $60, $45, and $25 to $64, $48, and $27, respectively.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 88–664, §3(d), increased monthly pension rate in column II from $75, $60, and $40 to $80, $64, and $43, respectively.
1959—Pub. L. 86–211 included widows of World War II and Korean conflict veterans in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 86–211 included widows of World War II and Korean conflict veterans, and struck out provisions which authorized payment of a monthly pension of $50.40 to a widow with no child and $63 to a widow with one child, with $7.56 for each additional child. See subsecs. (b) to (d) of this section.
Subsecs. (b) to (e). Pub. L. 86–211 added subsecs. (b) to (d), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (e), and inserted provisions relating to the date by which a widow was required to be married to a veteran of World War II or the Korean conflict.
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 111–275 applicable with respect to pensions paid on or after Dec. 1, 2009, see section 608(d) of Pub. L. 111–275, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 95–588 effective Jan. 1, 1979, see section 401 of Pub. L. 95–588, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 95–204 effective Jan. 1, 1978, see section 302 of Pub. L. 95–204, set out as a note under section 1122 of this title.
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–432 effective Jan. 1, 1977, see section 405(b) of Pub. L. 94–432, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
Effective Date of 1975 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–169, title I, §§101, 106, Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1013, 1017, provided that the amendments made by those sections are effective Jan. 1, 1976.
Pub. L. 94–169, title I, §103, Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1016, as amended by Pub. L. 94–432, title I, §101, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1369, eff. Sept. 30, 1976, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 1, 1976.
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 93–527 effective Jan. 1, 1975, see section 10 of Pub. L. 93–527, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
Effective Date of 1973 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 93–177 effective Jan. 1, 1974, see section 8 of Pub. L. 93–177, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 92–198 effective Jan. 1, 1972, see section 6 of Pub. L. 92–198, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 91–588 effective Jan. 1, 1971, see section 10(a) of Pub. L. 91–588, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment Pub. L. 90–275 effective Jan. 1, 1969, see section 6(a) of Pub. L. 90–275, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
Effective Date of 1967 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–77 effective first day of first calendar month which begins more than ten days after Aug. 31, 1967, see section 405 of Pub. L. 90–77, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 88–664 effective Jan. 1, 1965, see section 11 of Pub. L. 88–664, set out as a note under section 1503 of this title.
Effective Date of 1959 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 86–211 effective July 1, 1960, see section 10 of Pub. L. 86–211, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
Pension, Dependency, and Indemnity Compensation; Relation to Social Security Amendments of 1967
Payments for balance of calendar year 1968 and calendar year 1969, calendar year 1970, and during each successive calendar year at prescribed monthly rates when payments would be less under this title as a result of increase in monthly insurance benefits provided by Social Security Amendments of 1967, see section 3 of Pub. L. 90–275, set out as a note under section 1521 of this title.
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