Graduation Ceremony The Defense Department sponsors and subsidizes the Survivor Benefit Plan, which provides an ongoing monthly annuity — up to 55% of the service member’s retired pay — to military spouses and/or children when a military member dies while on active duty, on inactive duty or after retirement. SHARE IMAGE: Download Image: Full Size (0.33 MB) Photo By: DOD photo VIRIN: 191029-D-ZZ999-0002D.JPG Photo Gallery