Referred in Senate — H.R. 3123

IIB

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 3123

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 3, 2026

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

AN ACT

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to laws relating to the payment of certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that are affected by death, and for other purposes.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act.

Sec. 2. Payment by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances

(a) In general

Chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting, after section 5121A, the following new section:

5121B. Payment of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances
(a) In general
Subject to subsection (b), if the Secretary issues a decision awarding entitlement to a pension to a veteran before the death of such veteran, and the Secretary issues payment of such pension after the veteran dies, such pension that was due and unpaid at the time of the veteran’s death shall be paid to the first living person or entity listed below:
(1)
The veteran’s spouse.
(2)
The veteran’s children (in equal shares).
(3)
The veteran’s dependent parents (in equal shares).
(4)
The estate of the deceased veteran unless the estate will escheat.
(b) Limitation
In a case described in subsection (a), if no application is filed under section 5121 of this title during the one-year period following the death of the veteran, the pension described in such subsection shall be paid to the estate of the deceased veteran unless the estate will escheat.

(b) Technical and conforming amendments

(1) Conforming amendment

Section 5121(a) of such title is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting section 5121B of this title, or before sections 3329 and 3330.

(2) Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting, after the item relating to section 5121A, the following new item:

5121B. Payment of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances.

(c) Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the death of a veteran that occurs on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 3. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension

Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking January 31, 2033 and inserting February 28, 2033.