Federal · Title 38 — Veterans’ Benefits

38 U.S.C. § 1954: Forfeiture

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

Life insurance proceeds are forfeited when death results from lawful execution for crime or military offense, except deaths caused by enemy action. Cash surrender value may be paid to beneficiaries or the insured's estate instead.

Read the full statutory text

No yearly renewable term insurance or United States Government life insurance shall be payable for death inflicted as a lawful punishment for crime or military offense, except when inflicted by the enemy. In such cases the cash surrender value of United States Government life insurance, if any, on the date of such death shall be paid to the designated beneficiary if living, or if there be no designated beneficiary alive at the death of the insured the said value shall be paid to the estate of the insured.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.