Calls to extend TRS eligibility for family members enrolled at the time of their sponsor’s death.

Guardsmen with 20 years of service are eligible for TRICARE at age 60. If the Guardsmen is

participating in TRICARE Reserve Select and dies before age 60, the surviving spouse and family members lose that benefit. The Surviving spouse could possibly remain on TRS for up to six months. After the six-month period, the surviving spouse has to find other insurance. This leaves a gap in TRICARE coverage for those who intended to remain in the National Guard until age 60.

Both Gray area retirees and Servicemembers with 20 years of service (and still serving) are eligible for some form of Tricare.

A spouse (as long as they do not remarry) is eligible for TRICARE on the date the deceased guardsman would have reached age 60.

One case: A Traditional Guardsman serving in the National Guard (and has TRICARE) passed at age 54. He had 28 years of service. His spouse could remain on TRICARE for an additional 180 days. At that point, the spouse was forced to find other health insurance until eligible for TRICARE six years later.

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States urges the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that would extend TRICARE Reserve Select to surviving Spouses and family members before age 60 or to extend the 180 window to match Active Duty Survivor Benefits of 3 years. After three years of TRICARE Reserve Select, they would roll into a "Survivor" status and use TRICARE Retired.