Posted on 04/04/2005 6:17:27 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
Widow wants more from government for death of soldier husband
A suburban Cincinnati woman says the death of her soldier husband during an Army training accident in Texas should be worth more than about 12-thousand dollars in military benefits.
Shauna Moore may get some help from Congress. In January, the Bush administration proposed to increase the military death benefit of 12 thousand, 420 dollars to 100-thousand dollars, but only in cases where the service member died in a war zone designated by the secretary of defense. But some lawmakers and military officials say the increased death benefit should be offered also to families of soldiers who die while training for combat missions.
That could help spouses like 25-year-old Shauna Moore. Her husband, Army Sergeant Benjamin Moore, died two years ago when he was accidentally shot by another soldier during night training exercises at Fort Hood, Texas. At the time, Moore was training with his First Cavalry Division for a tour of duty in Iraq.
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excerpts from various sources on the web
Two months later, he was shot three times in the back by another soldier during night exercises at Fort Hood. After months of investigation, it was found that officers training the soldiers had failed to follow safety procedures, creating an unsafe firing range. The officers were disciplined.
Edith Smith, a survivors' benefits specialist with Gold Star Wives, said she met Moore in February when Moore came to Washington for the Senate Armed Services Committee hearings on the Pentagon's death benefit proposal.
At the hearing in Washington, Moore and the other Gold Star Wives heard Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz defend the administration's proposal to limit the increase in death benefits to those who are killed in combat.
DeWine introduced his own bill that would go even further - not only would it give a $100,000 one-time payment to spouses, it would give a $25,000 gratuity to each child under the age of 18.
DeWine's bill also would increase DIC payments from $993 a month to $1,500 a month for spouses. For children, the current monthly payment of $247 would increase to $750. It also would give surviving children health-care coverage through the age of 21 and an $80,000 lump-sum payment for college education.
Have to admire her heart!!
She is correct. They are worth FAR more than $12K...or any other amount!
I read this story earlier, and had one question...what about this soldier's SGLI? Either there's some information being left out here, or he was very neglectful in failing to pay the few dollars a month that would have ensured his family's financial security in the event of his death.
Just playing devil's advocate.
I'm confused. Did her husband have SGLI or what? He should have 250k available or the amount he signed up for if he was killed in training. Something isnt right here..
I did a little research on this and it seems she is really trying to do a good thing.
Why is the spouse of a soldier who serves in Iraq worth more than a soldier who HAS served in war? Some are preparing to go to war.
I know some folks on FR, will say geez enough with the handouts. Some who feel that if you as a military member join the military not only to serve your country but to gain an education or technical skill that your heart is not in the right place? That a true and honest military member does NOT join with benefits in mind and if they do they are not patriotic or equally worse a liberal. What is that sh*t about? So, I state up front, this is not about my tax dollars it is about our troops, those who give the ultimate price to protect and defend this nation, no matter your views of the war.
One cannot put a price on a loved one but I do think this is a cause that I hope some of my other FR friends might consider discussing, perhaps even backing?
The worst day for this country was 9/11 and we helped the families of those lost with astounding amount of money. Some, even had million's in life insurance and still took the government hand out. There were many more killed on 9/11, cannot we not do the same for our troops and their loved ones.
I hope will generate an open and intellectual discussion on this subject and I am really open to hear what others think about this and thoughts of what we can do if we want to collectively help our fallen troops and their families.
Thx for giving me the soapbox. Excuse the frustration in my typing.
Isn't life insurance available or only for troops deploying to a war zone? I believe its readily available and cheap.
BTW I have no problem increasing the death benefit but some parameters must be implemented too. Combat or training. It may be a stretch to implement it for other deaths such as off duty car accidents or non-service related illness.
"increase the military death benefit of 12 thousand, 420 dollars to 100-thousand dollars"
I'm confused. My death benefit was 100,000 while I was in the service and my husbands was 200,000 by the time he retired. A friend of mine received $100,000 after her husband of six weeks died in a training accident several years ago. What am I missing here?
There is something missing from this story - like how long the husband had been in - what if it was his 3rd day at boot camp?
There are some who add personal insurance. Along with that is the AAFMA which also provides money in the event of death of the active duty member.
As someone who's father died on Active Duty but not in a war zone the amount is reasonable and there are benefits to be offered and used, sometimes the casualty assistance officer is the brightest in the deck but you are not left high and dry.
I suppose the question is why is the life of a service member more valuable in Iraq or Afghanistan and not at Ft Sill, Scott AFB or on a ship? When Dave was in Iraq we drew a lot of extra none taxable cash, I mean why not get it you are in an area that you might not live to see the next day so we will compensate for that by hazard pay and the like. All the better if the soldier get's to make it back home to spend it.
OK, I feel a bit like I am preaching and I do not know all things military but you ask important questions and we should find the answers.
We then came make our decisions based on sound facts.
current death benefit is $12,000 up from $6000 in 2003. It may go to $100K with near end of this year. Insurance in combat zone is generally $250K and may go up to $350K which is about the amount on my Amex for accidental death.
I agree with paying extra for training accidents than they are---but, like the others I wonder why he didn't take out the life insurance...
I am all for paying for the troops and the survivors if they die, but don't equate totally to 9/11, because I was never really happy the way the government just went in throwing money at the families, BEFORE finding out the status of all of the people, and seeing how the charitable donations went....
I know on Fox News, one of their military "experts" is Paul Vallely, and his son died in a training accident last year, I think...therefore, he might be a good person to contact concerning this subject re: what benefits available now, and such....
If you start a ping list for this subject and legislation, please put me on it...
This story was poorly researched. The $12,400 is the so called "Death Gratuity" which is usually paid withing 72 hours. This is not intended as compensation for the death of the soldier, it is to aid them in meeting immediate expenses incurred, such as family travel to the funeral, etc.
Servicemembers group life insurance(SGLI) pays $250,000 dollars, unless the servicemember declined the coverage which is very difficult to do(for good reason).
The family is also entitled to any unpaid allowances or pay outstanding at the time of death.
Clearly life is worth more than even these payments, but this story is an example of publishing only a part of the facts....
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MEL's -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-
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...for
...Sacrifice begets Sacrifice
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However, I served in different actions during my 22 years active duty in the Corps (1970-1992) and we lost Marines in training accidents, as well as to hostile fire and even 'friendly' fire (isn't). The death 'gratuity' payment was far less than what this widow received as was the SGLI amount. I know of families who really struggled even after SGLI was received. They would have much been relieved had they received the kind of money she got.
That is all I am saying, because I don't want to sound like I'm being critical of her.
Plus the survivors receive a monthly annuity as part of the Survivor Benefit Plan, this payment varies depending on the length of service and pay grade.
Once again, doesn't compensate for the loss of a loved one, but the survivors clearly receive more than the $12,420 criticized in this article.
Right you are. And SGLI, for full coverage, is only $16.25/month. That is a pretty good rate, considering that you can be a smoker, drinker, have any number of things that insurance companies consider "high risk" (like being an infantryman or on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team!) and the rate remains the same, even in war.
Some might say it is selfish, and for wives of soldier's whos loved one died before or after a return to Iraq (or hot zone) feel their loved one's life should deserve the same monies as those who die while in Iraq.
I am just the messenger throwing out a topic for discussion and we may have to do a little research to come to the heart of the story but aren't our troops and their loved ones at least deserving of some discussion.
SGLI Premiums Are Coming Down
On 1 July 2003, premiums for SGLI will be reduced for both the service member and spouse coverage. This is great news and long overdue. SGLI Provides good basic family protection for service members. However, is it the best plan to meet your needs? Consider the following:
SGLI is a group insurance plan and is ONLY available for active duty personnel and certain reservists. You will lose SGLI 120 days after you leave the service. Purchasing an individual plan of term insurance can ensure that you have coverage that goes with you when you separate or retire from active service.
SGLI is limited to $250,000 maximum coverage for the service member and only $100,000 for the spouse. This may be enough for some members, but for members with young growing families, this may not be enough coverage. If a member has young children, the $100,000 of spouse coverage will probably be inadequate to provide high quality, long term childcare should a member lose their spouse. Purchasing individual coverage can replace or supplement SGLI with higher coverage.
SGLI Spouse Coverage increases in cost every five years from age 35 to age 60, starting at $6.00 per month and rising to $54. There are many individual spouse plans available which do not increase in cost. For example, under NMAA's family plan young spouses can have $100,000 of coverage through age 50 for a net premium of $5.50 per month.
SGLI limits the settlement options for your survivors to either a lump sum payment or 36 monthly installments. Almost all insurance organizations offer a wide range of settlement options that can be used to provide a guaranteed stream of income for your family, including lifetime income.
SGLI has an accelerated death benefit option, but it is very limited. To qualify, a service member must be terminally ill with a life expectancy of nine months or less and then only up to one-half of the death benefit will be paid to the service member. Most insurers offer a much better option. For example, Navy Mutual Aid Association's requirement is less than 24 months to live and typically allows over 80% of the death benefit to be paid out.
SGLI coverage cannot be converted to another insurance plan except for a brief 120 day period upon separation or retirement from active duty and then SGLI can only be converted to a five year renewable term plan - VGLI. Healthy, non-smokers will find VGLI to be very expensive. Many insurers offer much more flexible conversion features and the ability to convert to either term or whole life insurance.
Finally, even though SGLI premiums will be reduced starting 1 July, healthy, non-tobacco user Sea Service Members can obtain individual plans for themselves and their spouses at a lower cost. For example, Navy Mutual Aid Association can save a family up to $228 per year.
While SGLI provides good basic protection, it has several limitations and does not provide the value found in most individual plans. Most people find they need some form of life insurance through out their lifetime and are best served by forming a relationship with an insurer they can trust. Navy Mutual Aid Association has been the trusted insurer for Sea Service members for over 124 years. At NMAA you pay no commissions. Request information today find out how we can help you protect your family's financial security. You have many choices beyond SGLI - We want to be your first choice.
I pay $20 for SGLI, but close enough. I pay $84 additional to a commerical firm for an additional 100K of life insurance, so yes its a good deal.
She is/will be getting more than 12,500 from the USG. That 12,500 is only a quick payment to help cover expenses....
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