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We could not afford to take out the military insurance. We only made enough money to keep our family together, even with me working all through our marriage. We have 2 children, now grown. Why is there no help at all for wives that were with their husbands for 60 years, 20 in the Air Force. I also acted as caregiver for my husband for 4 years when he was suffering with cancer. I think a lot of that came from smoking. I remember the tobacco companies being there on pay day handing out free cigarettes to military personnel to keep them addicted to smoking. Doctors have told us that smoking was the prime reason for my husbands bladder cancer that spread all through his body even though he quit smoking 17 years before cancer hit him. Why is there nothing in monetary help for wives who also served during all of the separations. Thank You, and God Bless America and all of the brave men and women in the military and also for the brave families that had to face lonlyiness, moving constantly, we moved 20 times, and brave children that had to change schools so many times and make new friends and wives, like myself, that had to look for new jobs every time we had to move again. I had to handle the death of my husband and I pray I did everything right as there was no one here to help me. Joan


re husbands for 60 years.. He retired in 1972 after 20 years with the rank of T/Sgt. I do receive his social security but mine is gone

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I was about to write the same thing as Lillybet. Many people opt out of the Survivor Benefits program so they can receive a larger paycheck each month. Money for the program is deducted from each paycheck so that a surviving spouse qualifies for 50% of the retirement pay. If you opted out of the program, it is too late to qualify now. Check to see if your husband selected this benefit at the time of his retirement.
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In order to continue receiving a percentage of a retirement pension, the military sponsor must elect to enroll in the Survivor Benefits program and would have paid a monthly sum to ensure its continuation after his/her death. At one time, the sponsor did not need the spouse's acknowledgement to decline SB, but it is now customary that BOTH the sponsor and spouse attend a briefing to sign documents signifying they are aware of the decision to decline (or accept).
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You will need your husbands death certificate, your marriage license and your husbands DD214 papers (discharge papers). Process takes a few months, but is retro active from the day you file.
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Local VA office should be able to help. Take DD214 l, Death Cetificate with you when u go. My mom got $$ and something else. She also got money from soc.security for death benefit like a couple hundred dollars.
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Joan, here's a link to VA offices and/or hospitals in Beverly Hills, Florida.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=VA+offices%2C+Beverly+Hills%2C+Florida

Start contacting the offices listed in the hits, ask if they help veteran's spouses file applications, and keep calling or following their leads until you find a local office that does. Then make an appointment and bring your husband's DD214 if you have it.

If that doesn't work, call Beverly Hills city offices and/or the county offices for Beverly HIlls and ask the same questions. What you'll be searching for are the free municipal offices that help veterans with various issues.

The municipal VA offices will prepare the application and walk you through it, then likely refer it to one of the service organizations such as the VFW or American Legion which help process applications for veterans and their spouses.

This is the easiest way to do it; don't let anyone charge you to provide the information or handle the processing.
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Joan, Some additional information. The annuity mentioned by twopupsmom was selective IF YOUR HUSBAND wanted to do that, but as his wife your should be getting 50% of his retirement from DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service, www.dfas.mil) If he also was a Veteran you may be able to receive "Aid and Attendance Income" (this must be done through your local Veterans Administration). You really need to get in touch with both the DFAS and the Veterans Administration. I hope this helps you.
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Check out this thread an AC article on Veterans Aid and Attendance. https://www.agingcare.com/articles/applying-for-veterans-benefits-181517.htm?cpage=2
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I also am married to a 20 year retired Air Force Major. I am entitled to 50% of his military retirement pay upon his death. You should be entitled to the same. Go to your local VA Center, they should be able to help. Also a military base. We live near WPAFB and that is where we got out information.
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Unless your husband took out an annuity for you while he was still in the military there isn't anything coming to you. If he had taken the annuity, which was paid monthly out of his pay, you would now be receiving 75% of his retirement.
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have you applied for anything?
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