summary
Introduced
04/17/2013
04/17/2013
In Committee
04/17/2013
04/17/2013
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2015
01/03/2015
Introduced Session
113th Congress
Bill Summary
Veterans Pension Protection Act - Provides that if a veteran eligible for a pension for service or for a non-service-connected disability, or the spouse of such veteran, disposes of a resource that was part of such veteran's estate for less than its fair market value within three years before applying for such pension, then the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall deny or discontinue the pension payment for months beginning on the date of such disposition and ending when the uncompensated value of such resource is reached. Provides the same denial or discontinuance in the case of a veteran eligible for an increased pension payment on account of a child, unless the Secretary determines that such denial or discontinuance would work an undue hardship. Applies the same denial or discontinuance, with the same undue hardship exception, in the case of: (1) a veteran's surviving spouse who disposes of a covered resource for less than fair market value within such period, and (2) an increased pension for such spouse on account of a child. Requires the Secretary, at the time a veteran, surviving spouse, or child applies for such a pension, to: (1) inform the individual of such requirements, and (2) obtain information to determine whether a period of ineligibility for such payments will be required. Requires annual reports from the Secretary, through 2018, on the administration of this Act.
AI Summary
This bill, the Veterans Pension Protection Act, aims to prevent veterans and their surviving spouses from improperly transferring assets to qualify for pensions. Specifically, if a veteran or their spouse disposes of assets (referred to as "covered resources") for less than their fair market value within three years of applying for a pension, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) will deny or stop pension payments. This denial period will last until the value of the improperly transferred assets is accounted for, calculated based on the maximum pension amount, and will not exceed 36 months. The bill also applies these rules to increased pension payments for dependents and to surviving spouses and their children. There are exceptions if the assets are returned or if denying the pension would cause undue hardship. The VA Secretary is required to inform applicants of these rules and collect relevant information, and the Secretary must submit annual reports on the implementation of this Act through 2018.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (6)
Ron Wyden (D)*,
Richard Blumenthal (D),
Richard Burr (R),
Dean Heller (R),
Claire McCaskill (D),
Jon Tester (D),
Last Action
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111. (on 06/12/2013)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/748/all-info |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s748is/pdf/BILLS-113s748is.pdf |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s748is/pdf/BILLS-113s748is.pdf.pdf |
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