Like any management or benefit structure, the military Survivor Benefit Plan is subject to evolutionary change as sociological, economic, and legislative progress is made. Statutory amendments in social security and veterans can have a dramatic impact on the military Survivor Benefit Plan that may not be immediately identifiable or originally considered. Additionally, inflationary pressures impact upon the cost to members, the value of the survivor annuity itself and long-term financial obligations of the government. These operate in concert with changes that occur in our national society and the military community's position in that social order. The military survivor systems must be responsive to these changes in order to remain a viable item of military compensation. This Study addresses those items enumerated by the Senate Committee on Armed Services, and the additional items requested for inclusion by the Honorable Strom Thurmond.