Pending legislation may hurt survivor benefits

I have often thought that a column in the Bee about veteran-related news, i.e. legislation, survivors, benefits, etc., that would affect our present lives and our spouses' lives would be welcome.

Recently, I was reading TREA magazine (The Retired Enlisted Association publication). It seems that there are bills pending that will affect our survivors benefits.

As some of you know, retired personnel (if they so elect), can pay a portion of their retired pay to the government in order for their spouse to collect a portion of the retired pay when the old guy passes on. Well, time has passed and some old guys passes away and their spouses did also. No one benefited from the portion except the government. A bill was introduced so that if you paid back a portion of your retirement for 30 years, you could stop ppaying and your wife could still collect a portion of your retirement.

The magazine (TREA) in its latest issue states that on the eve of the vote, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., pulled the bill and prevented a vote. Now we will be allowed to pay for one more year, at least.

JAMES A. BLAKE

Sandpoint