Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-102
§1950 Payment to Estates
Title 38 › PART II — GENERAL BENEFITS › CHAPTER 19 — INSURANCE › SUBCHAPTER II — UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE › § 1950
Summary
If no beneficiary is named or a beneficiary dies first, the insured’s estate receives the value of the remaining monthly payments as a lump sum. If a beneficiary dies later but before full payment, that beneficiary’s estate gets the amount. If an estate would go to the state under local law, the money is paid into the United States Government Life Insurance Fund.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §1950
Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
If no beneficiary of insurance is designated by the insured, either while alive or by last will, or if the designated beneficiary does not survive the insured, then there shall be paid to the estate of the insured the present value of the remaining unpaid monthly installments. If the designated beneficiary survives the insured and dies before receiving all of the installments of insurance payable and applicable, then there shall be paid to the estate of such beneficiary the present value of the remaining unpaid monthly installments. No payments shall be made to any estate which under the laws of the residence of the insured or the beneficiary, as the case may be, would escheat, but same shall escheat to the United States and be credited to the United States Government Life Insurance Fund.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1991—Pub. L. 102–83 renumbered section 750 of this title as this section. 1986—Pub. L. 99–576 substituted “while alive or by last will” for “in his lifetime or by his last will and testament”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 1950
Title 38, Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102