Yes, a wife can get a military pension if her husband dies, primarily through the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) if the retiree elected it, or potentially through a needs-based VA Survivors Pension or other VA benefits like Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), depending on the circumstances of death and income, but its not automatic and usually requires specific enrollment or meeting VA criteria. Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) How it works: This is an annuity program retirees can sign up for, where they elect a reduced pension amount to provide a monthly payment to their survivor (spouse, former spouse, or child) after their death. Eligibility: A spouse married to the retiree at retirement is usually eligible, though rules exist for spouses acquired after retirement. Benefit Amount: The amount depends on the base amount chosen by the retiree, up to their full retired pay, providing a percentage of that base amount. VA Benefits for Survivors (Dependency Indemnity Compensation/DIC Survivors Pension) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A tax-free monetary benefit for spouses (and children/parents) if the service members death was service-connected. Survivors Pension: A needs-based, tax-free pension for low-income, un-remarried spouses of wartime veterans, requiring the spouse to meet income/net worth limits and the veteran to have met service requirements. Key Considerations Automatic vs. Elected: SBP must be elected by the service member; its not automatic. VA benefits often depend on need and service-related death. Remarriage: Remarrying can affect eligibility for some benefits, like the Survivors Pension. Other Benefits: Surviving spouses may also be eligible for CHAMPVA health care, burial benefits, and education benefits (like Chapter 35). AI can make mistakes, so double-check responsesSurvivors Pension | Veterans AffairsJan 14, 2026VA.gov Home | Veterans AffairsDefense Finance and Accounting Service RetiredMilitary survivors Understanding SBP DIC SSIADefense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) (.mil)