Inadequate Compensation for the Greatest Sacrifice
Abstract
While victims' families of the September 11th terrorist attacks received a lump sum federal benefit that averaged $1.5 million, most families of Marines killed in Iraq receive only a $21,000 federal lump sum benefit. Clearly, lawmakers were concerned about the financial well-being of those who suffered from the 9/11 terrorist attacks, whether or not they already had personal life insurance. However, unlike the 9/11 victims, Marines must incur personal expense to receive adequate financial coverage in the event of death. Currently, over 95% of all active-duty Marines choose to make monthly payments to the Service Member's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) plan to ensure their family's well-being in the event of their death. Such a high percentage of Marine involvement in this insurance plan is a testament to the critical role that SGLI death compensation plays in Marines' death planning, even though the maximum benefit is only $250,000. Furthermore, it illustrates the need for compensation amounts over and above other death benefits, such as the Survivor's Benefit Plan, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and death gratuity, and makes it clear that the Federal Government must do more to aid the families of deceased service members without burdening service members with out-of-pocket expenses. Precedent, fiscal viability, and the moral responsibility of lawmakers require that the monetary value SGLI provides is a no-cost benefit to Marines.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA499120
Entities
People
- W. H. Chronister
Organizations
- Marine Corps University