What Happens if You Die in the Army?
If you die while serving in the United States military, your family will receive a number of benefits. These benefits are designed to help provide financial security and support for those left behind.
Death Gratuity
The most immediate benefit is the death gratuity. This is a one-time payment of $100,000 that is paid to the surviving family members of a service member who dies while on active duty or while performing inactive duty training. The money is intended to help cover funeral expenses and other costs associated with the death.
Survivor Benefits Program
In addition to the death gratuity, families may also be eligible for additional benefits through the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP). This program provides monthly payments to eligible survivors of service members who died while on active duty or while performing inactive duty training. The amount of the benefit depends on several factors, including the rank of the deceased service member and whether they had any dependents at the time of their death.