SJR1 - Urges Congress to enact legislation allowing certain eligible surviving spouses of veterans to receive an amount equal to the military retirement pay of the veteran after the veteran's death. (BDR R-55)

- 83rd Session (2025) Senate Joint Resolution No. 1–Senators Krasner and Stone Joint Sponsor: Assemblymember Mosca FILE NUMBER.......... SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION—Urging Congress to enact legislation allowing certain eligible surviving spouses of veterans to receive an amount equal to the military retirement pay of the veteran after the veteran’s death. WHEREAS, Certain veterans who serve in the Armed Forces of the United States for a period of at least 20 years or who qualify to retire medically are eligible to receive military retirement pay for their military service; and WHEREAS, Military retirement pay, however, terminates upon the death of the veteran, so many veterans enroll in the Survivor Benefit Plan, which was enacted by Congress in 1972 and which provides a monetary benefit in the form of a lifetime annuity to the surviving spouse or other beneficiary of the veteran upon the veteran’s death; and WHEREAS, A portion of the cost of this annuity is paid from reductions to the veteran’s retirement pay, and the maximum survivor benefit is 55 percent of the retirement pay of the veteran at the time of the veteran’s death; and WHEREAS, The spouses of veterans hold unique and important roles in upholding the strength of the United States as they provide crucial support to their veteran spouses during the veteran’s military service and retirement; and WHEREAS, Allowing an eligible spouse who opted to receive the surviving spouse benefit through the Survivor Benefit Plan to receive an amount equal to the retirement pay of the veteran after the veteran’s death recognizes the many sacrifices that a military spouse also makes in service of this country, including delaying or relinquishing personal and professional aspirations; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, JOINTLY, That the members of the 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature hereby urge Congress to enact legislation allowing an eligible spouse who opted to receive the surviving spouse benefit through the Survivor Benefit Plan to receive an amount equal to the retirement pay of the veteran after the veteran’s death; and be it further – 2 – - 83rd Session (2025) RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President of the United States as the presiding officer of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further RESOLVED, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage. 20 ~~~~~ 25