Death gratuity benefit amended

  • Published
  • By Judy Trabucco
  • Airman and Family Readiness Center
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The National Defense Authorization Act amended the death gratuity benefit allowing members to specify any person of their choosing. The death gratuity designation is no longer restricted to a spouse, child or a blood relative.

Airmen will be able to immediately make changes to this DG election should they wish to designate one or more persons by name and percentage to receive DG payment. Members are encouraged to designate specific recipients, since a "by law" selection can be very complicated. The term "by law" means that 100 percent of the DG payment is paid in the following order of precedence:

1. To the surviving spouse.
2. If no surviving spouse, then DG will go to surviving children, in equal amounts.
3. Then the descendents of any deceased children, in equal amounts.
4. Then to surviving parents of the service member, in equal amounts.
5. If no surviving parents, the DG goes to the person appointed executor or administrator of the servicemember's estate.
6. If the servicemember has not appointed an executor or administrator, DG would go to the Airman's other next of kin entitled under the law of domicile at the time of death.

For further information or assistance, contact Judy Trabucco at 781-225-2755.