PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5705)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 18, 2002
Forgotten Widows' Benefit Equity Act of 2002 - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to increase the monthly annuity payable to the qualified (not remarried and not otherwise annuity-eligible) surviving spouse of each member of the armed forces who: (1) died before March 21, 1974, and was entitled to retired or retainer pay on the date of death; or (2) was a member of a reserve component before October 1, 1978, and at the time of death would have been entitled to retired pay but for being under 60 years of age. Makes such amount the higher of $186 or the amount computed under the Survivor Benefit Plan for surviving spouses of members who died before or after specified dates.
People & committees
Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA] · D–IA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5705)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5704-5705)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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