The Military Survivor Benefit Plan: How Much Does It Benefit the Retiree

摘要

This study was conducted to examine the military Survivor Benefit Plan and the extent of its costs and benefits. Currently, the participation rate in the plan is extremely low among military retirees. Past improvements to the plan have failed to increase participation. Other proposed revisions to the plan are scheduled to go before Congress; some of these proposed changes have already failed to pass Congress a number of times before. Initially, this study looks at the basic elements of the Survivor Benefit Plan. Next, methods of analyzing the plan are investigated with emphasis on the further development of an already existing computer model. Private insurance plans are then studied as possible alternatives to the Survivor Benefit Plan. As a conclusion, the Survivor Benefit Plan and insurance plans are compared and recommendations are offered. (Author)