How much do killed US Soldiers' families get paid?

[travisleit01]

If a soldier dies in Iraq, how much compensation do their families receive? I googled this - but only found information on the US not paying dead Iraqi's families. Thanks DUers!

[wtmusic]

1. Answer: not enough n/t

[travisleit01]

2. I agree!

I am trying to find this information out for my grandma. She worked in the department of the military that processed these claims back during WWII - and she thinks at that time families received $35,000. That sounds like a lot given that time, I just wanted to find out how much they make today.

[DonP]

3. Current GI insurance

is $250,000 for death I believe.

Way up fromt he $10,000 my sorry butt was worth in 1970.

Don

[HereSince1628]

4. Interesting question...I suspect life-insurance policies exclude combat

Could this be why there seem to be so many deaths not attributed to combat?

:shrug:

[HereSince1628]

5. link to "DEATH GRATUITY"

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/casualty/blgratuity.htm

[travisleit01]

6. The death gratuity payment is $6,000, of which $3,000 is taxable income.

That's it?? That would barely cover burial!