WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 6178

Establishes "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Melinda Kane and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey establishes a Gold Star Family Annuity Program providing ongoing financial support to families of military members killed in service.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
#veterans
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 6178

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 6178 establishes the "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program," which would provide financial support to families of military members killed in action or who died from service-related causes. The program creates a dedicated annuity structure to ensure surviving spouses, children, and dependents receive ongoing financial assistance. This represents New Jersey's commitment to honoring and supporting those who have lost loved ones in military service.

Why is this important

Gold Star families face significant financial hardship following the loss of a service member, and while federal benefits exist, they often prove insufficient for long-term economic stability. A state-level annuity program would provide a supplementary, predictable income stream tailored to New Jersey residents' cost of living. This creates a meaningful recognition of sacrifice while addressing a tangible gap in existing support systems.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact and funding source: The bill's cost depends on the annuity amount, number of eligible families, and whether it's funded through general revenue, bonds, or dedicated taxes—details not yet specified in the introduced version
  • Eligibility criteria and scope: Questions remain about whether the program covers all service-related deaths, specific branches of military, and how dependents are defined and prioritized
  • Duplication of federal benefits: Clarification needed on how state annuities interact with existing federal survivor benefits to avoid overpayment or means-testing complications

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

Sign in to ask a question.