This bill increases the death gratuity — a one-time payment to the families of military members who die on active duty — from $100,000 to $200,000, effective for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2026. The legislation also establishes an automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment to the death gratuity beginning in 2027, tied to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index, which will be rounded to the nearest $100 and published each year by the Department of Defense. The bill directly affects Gold Star Families — families who have lost a military member in service — by ensuring they receive increased financial support at the time of their loss and protection against inflation eroding that benefit's value over time. There is no specific appropriations amount listed in the bill text, as it modifies existing statutory payment obligations rather than creating a new discretionary spending program.
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