06 LC
37 0148
House
Resolution 2040
By:
Representatives Powell of the
29th,
Shaw of the
176th,
Yates of the
73rd,
Jamieson of the
28th,
Jacobs of the
80th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the United States Congress to eliminate the "widow's tax"; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
a proposed amendment to the defense authorization bill to eliminate what is
referred to as the "widow's tax" was ultimately not included in the bill;
and
WHEREAS,
two programs, excluding social security, exist on which a widow or widower of a
service member killed in the line of duty can rely for financial assistance;
and
WHEREAS,
the first program is a survivors' plan paid by the Department of Defense, which
is about 41 percent of the deceased person's monthly salary before taxes;
and
WHEREAS,
the second program is a dependent's compensation paid by the Department of
Veterans Affairs that is $1,033 per month tax free, plus a modest sum added for
every dependent child; and
WHEREAS,
under the current law, the payment from the Defense Department to a surviving
spouse is reduced dollar for dollar by the Veterans Administration's payment;
and
WHEREAS,
if the widow or widower remarries before the age of 55, he or she receives
nothing; and
WHEREAS,
the law also adversely impacts military retirees by providing that when a widow
or widower who is receiving survivor's benefit plan benefits turns 62, a social
security offset reduces benefits from 55 percent to 35 percent of the spouse's
military retiree pay; and
WHEREAS,
the "widow's tax" can cause enormous and often unexpected financial hardship on
survivors; and
WHEREAS,
these military personnel and their spouses have made sacrifices and in many
cases the ultimate sacrifice of their lives, leaving their spouses and families
to cope not only with grief but also with financial difficulties, and it is only
fitting that we honor these individuals by eliminating the "widow's
tax."
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body urge the United States Congress to change the law to eliminate the
"widow's tax."
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia
congressional delegation.