Widows and widowers are often advised not to make any major life decisions during the first year after losing their spouse. The reason is simple: Grief can significantly impair decision making.

Yet military survivors are expected to make some of the most significant financial decisions of their lives during this exact period, facing a 12-month deadline for some aspects of managing military death gratuities and Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) benefits. These complex, life-altering financial decisions must come at a time when their ability to process information and evaluate options may be significantly diminished – a well-established state known as “grief fog” or “grief brain fog” that can make it difficult to read with comprehension or remember appointments, much less set up a financial portfolio.

This is why MOAA and fellow advocacy groups have joined to support the GRACE (Granting Rollover Access and Contribution Extensions) for Military Survivors Act. The bipartisan bill (H.R. 9489), introduced June 25 by Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), would extend the time period from one year to three years for surviving spouses to contribute the money received through military death gratuities and SGLI payments to Roth IRAs and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts without penalty.

[RELATED: Surviving Spouse Resources From MOAA]

Other supporters of the bill include the American Legion, AMVETS, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Gold Star Spouses of America, Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS), United Services Automobile Association (USAA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Veterans Survivor Coalition, Vietnam Veterans of America, and With Honor Action.

"When a servicemember makes the ultimate sacrifice, their family deserves our unwavering support – not unnecessary bureaucratic deadlines,” said Bergman, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general, in a news release announcing the bill’s introduction. “Military families should have the time and flexibility to make important financial decisions without added pressure during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.”

The GRACE for Military Survivors Act recognizes a simple truth: Survivors should not be forced to make life-changing financial decisions while navigating the most difficult months of their grief. By providing additional time and flexibility, Congress can help ensure surviving spouses make these decisions when they are ready, instead of when an arbitrary deadline requires it.

[UPDATED MONTHLY: MOAA’s Surviving Spouse Corner]

Keep up with the latest on this legislation and other MOAA priorities at MOAA’s advocacy news page.