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H 3855

An Act relative to annuities for widows and surviving relatives of veterans

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David DeCoste and 8 co-sponsors

H 3855 establishes annuity benefits for widows and surviving relatives of Massachusetts veterans, subject to legislative review and committee deliberation on fiscal and eligibility terms.

Hearing rescheduled to 10/28/2025 from 01:00 PM-01:10 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
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Bill Summary · H 3855

Legislative bill overview

H 3855 proposes to establish or modify annuity programs for widows and surviving relatives of Massachusetts veterans. The bill was referred to the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee in February 2025 and recently underwent a legislative hearing in October 2025, with scheduling adjustments made shortly before the hearing date.

Why is this important

Veterans' survivor benefits directly affect the financial security and quality of life for families who have lost service members. These programs represent a state's commitment to honoring military sacrifice and can significantly impact vulnerable populations—particularly elderly widows and dependent children—who may have limited alternative income sources.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact unclear: The bill summary does not specify the cost of these annuities, making it difficult to assess whether the state budget can sustain the program or whether it requires tax increases or reallocation of existing funds
  • Eligibility criteria unknown: Without seeing the full text, it's unclear which relatives qualify (spouses only, children, parents) and what income or service-related requirements might apply, which could affect fairness and administrative complexity
  • Comparison to federal benefits: The relationship between state annuities and existing federal VA survivor benefits (like Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) is unspecified, raising questions about duplication, coordination, or gaps the state is addressing

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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