H.B. 5172: COMMITTEE SUMMARY MILITARY RETIREE’S SPOUSE
House Bill 5172 (as passed by the House) Sponsor: Representative Robert DeMars House Committee: Appropriations
Senate Committee: Human Resources, Labor and Veterans Affairs
Date Completed: 12-4-96
The bill would amend the Michigan Military Act to provide for retirement pay to the spouse of a deceased National Guard retiree of any age, if other qualifying criteria were met. Currently, a person who has completed at least 20 years of active service with the National Guard and/or defense force may receive retirement pay of $600 per year if he or she 1) reaches the age of 62; or 2) reaches the age of 55 and meets one of the following criteria:
-- Ineligibility, because of Federal law or regulation, for further Federal recognition in the person’s current grade due to age or length of service, and termination of the person’s commission or enlistment in the National Guard.
-- Withdrawal of the person’s Federal recognition and termination of his or her National Guard commission or enlistment because of physical disqualification.
-- Separation from the National Guard or defense force under an honorable circumstance.
In addition, upon the death of a person eligible to receive retirement pay, the surviving spouse is to receive $300 per year until death. The bill provides, instead, that a surviving spouse would receive that payment upon the death of a person who had completed at least 20 years of active service with the National Guard and/or defense force, and who before his or her death met one of the qualifying criteria (other than age 62).
MCL 32.811 Legislative Analyst: S. Margules
The bill would have a minimal fiscal impact on the Department of Military Affairs. The Department reports that only five additional surviving spouses would qualify for benefits under the bill’s provision at this time, at a cost of an additional $1,500 GF/GP per year.
Fiscal Analyst: B. Baker
S9596\S5172SA
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
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