Love Lives On Act of 2025

This bill would extend eligibility for several benefit programs and services for the surviving spouses of deceased military members and veterans. It proposes that a surviving spouse's remarriage would no longer prevent them from receiving dependency and indemnity compensation, special pension benefits, or Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. Additionally, the bill would expand TRICARE eligibility to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriages have ended through death, divorce, or annulment.

This bill primarily affects surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans, specifically those who choose to remarry. It also impacts the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as these agencies would be required to continue providing dependency and indemnity compensation, special pension benefits, and Survivor Benefit Plan annuities regardless of a spouse's remarriage. Additionally, the bill affects remarried widows or widowers seeking TRICARE coverage after a subsequent marriage ends due to death, divorce, or annulment.

• Preservation of dependency and indemnity compensation. Ensures that the remarriage of a surviving spouse does not prevent them from receiving dependency and indemnity compensation or special pension benefits.
• Continuation of Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. Prohibits the Department of Defense from terminating annuity payments to a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan based solely on their remarriage.
• Expansion of TRICARE eligibility for former spouses. Modifies the definition of a dependent under the TRICARE program to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment.

This bill modifies existing benefit structures for surviving spouses by extending eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation, special pension benefits, and the Survivor Benefit Plan regardless of remarriage. It also expands the definition of a dependent under the TRICARE program to include certain remarried widows or widowers.

The bill aims to extend and protect the entitlement of surviving spouses of deceased service members and veterans to various benefit programs and services, ensuring that remarriage does not automatically disqualify them from receiving compensation, pensions, or annuities.