S4807119th CongressWALLET

Honor Gold Star Families Act

Sponsored By: Senator Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

Introduced

Summary

Raises the military death gratuity to $200,000 and ties it to annual inflation adjustments. The bill would increase the current $100,000 death gratuity to $200,000 for service members who die on or after January 1, 2026, with that change applied retroactively to that date. Starting January 1, 2027, and each January 1 thereafter, the payment would be increased by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the preceding year, rounded to the nearest $100. The Secretary of Defense would publish the adjusted amount in the Federal Register each year.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher death payment for military families

This bill would raise the one-time death payment to beneficiaries of deceased service members to $200,000. The increase would apply to deaths on or after January 1, 2026, retroactive to that date. Starting January 1, 2027, and each January 1 after, the payment would be increased for inflation. Each increase would equal the percent change in the CPI-U from the prior year, rounded to the nearest $100. The Secretary of Defense would publish the adjusted amount annually in the Federal Register.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation