Pentagon Would Raise Military Death Pay

AP ^ | January 31, 2005 | ROBERT BURNS

[Sax]

Just a note of concern since I have no knowledge of the subject: When the military pays out large sums, is it a lump payment? Do they offer, or point out where to get, unbiased financial advise on how to protect, and grow, the money? Do they warn against overspending in the short term? Do they give examples of worse case scenario on spending. Most folks don't have any experience in dealing with large sums of money and how quickly it can dissappear if not invested and used wisely. I would feel better knowing that the money comes with advise on how the family can protect itself in the long run seeing that it would not take great effort to provide the information.

[chief911]

I like wasting my time. And I'm pretty sure you want to respond anyway. You just don't seem to get it. Many of the problems this country has were started by "the least we can do". If the Pentagon wants to raise the SGLI benefit to $350,000 then fine, I'm okay with that, because everyone that gets the benefit pays for it. I'm just not seeing the need for this as well as how someone decided that my life was worth $100,000.

[chief911]

I should know this after 20 years with the company, but I think its lump sum. And I have no idea about the counseling. Survivors may get some of that from the service member that gives them the official notification, but I've never had to do that job (thankfully).

[Sax]

The idea of a family suffering loss of a father or mother, receiving what appears to be a huge sum of money, but a few years later finding out that the money is gone and they are back in dire straights - weighs heavy on me. I know it's just conjecture on my part, but I am sure that it happens.