Next of Kin Collections Protection Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 274

119th Congress

Next of Kin Collections Protection Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 28, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Steve Daines

Senator

Republican

MT

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

The Next of Kin Collections Protection Act modifies when VA pension reductions take effect after a beneficiarys death. It sets the effective date as the last day of the month of death rather than immediately, preventing clawback of benefits for the month a veteran or survivor passed away.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Next of Kin Collections Protection Act modifies when VA pension reductions take effect after a beneficiarys death. It sets the effective date as the last day of the month of death rather than immediately, preventing clawback of benefits for the month a veteran or survivor passed away.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Next of Kin Collections Protection Act of 2025This bill modifies the effective date of a reduction or discontinuance of a Department of Veterans Affairs pension under an existing rating or decision in cases where the payee has died. Specifically, the bill provides that the effective date of a reduction or discontinuance of a pension that is under an existing rating or decision must be the last day of the month in which the death of the payee occurs.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Sets pension reduction effective date at month end
Prevents clawback for month of death
Protects surviving families from overpayment claims
Applies to VA pensions under existing decisions
Simplifies benefit termination timing
Reduces burden on grieving families

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

When a VA pension recipient dies, benefits may need to be reduced or discontinued. This bill prevents the VA from demanding repayment of benefits paid for the month someone died, protecting grieving families from unexpected debt collection. It aligns with the common practice of providing a full months benefits regardless of when in the month death occurs.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Military personnel and dependents

Veterans' pensions and compensation

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

274, 119th Congress (2025). "Next of Kin Collections Protection Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-274