Pinehurst Today

U.S. Representatives Richard Hudson, Joe Neguse, Derrick Van Orden, Morgan Luttrell, Ro Khanna, and Kelly Morrison have reintroduced the Love Lives On Act to ensure that military spouses of fallen servicemembers retain access to survivor benefits if they remarry, regardless of age. This bipartisan initiative is also supported in the Senate by Senators Jerry Moran and Raphael Warnock.

Representative Hudson emphasized the importance of this legislation by stating, "It takes great courage for surviving spouses of fallen servicemembers to pick up the pieces and move forward in the face of unimaginable loss. We must ensure they do not have to worry about losing benefits that are actively supporting their family."

Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), expressed gratitude towards the lawmakers involved: "TAPS is grateful to Senators Moran, Warnock and our 24 Senate original cosponsors as well as Representatives Hudson, Morrison, Van Orden, Neguse, Luttrell and Khanna for their leadership in reintroducing comprehensive remarriage legislation, the Love Lives On Act of 2025."

Under current law, surviving spouses risk losing survivor benefits if they remarry before age 55. The proposed Love Lives On Act would allow them to retain these benefits upon remarriage at any age. It applies to spouses of active-duty, veteran, and retired military personnel.

While this act does not remove the remarriage penalty for civilian federal personnel's surviving spouses, it sets a precedent for future changes across the federal workforce.

Key provisions include allowing surviving military spouses to keep Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits if they remarry. SBP provides up to 55% of a servicemember's retirement pay posthumously to an eligible beneficiary. DIC offers a tax-free monthly benefit to survivors. Additionally, TRICARE benefits can be regained if a new marriage ends due to death, divorce or annulment.