---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 1949"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "1949"
heading: "Beneficiaries"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/1949"
units:
  - "Part II — General Benefits"
  - "Chapter 19 — Insurance"
  - "Subchapter II — United States Government Life Insurance"
---

# §1949. Beneficiaries

- (a) **Designation.—** A person who enrolls in United States Government life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) may designate a beneficiary of the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy. Subject to regulations, the insured person shall at all times have the right to change the beneficiary or beneficiaries of a United States Government life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy without the consent of such beneficiary or beneficiaries.
- (b) **Determination in Cases of Non-Designation.—** If a person enrolled in United States Government life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) does not designate a beneficiary under [subsection (a)](#a) before the insured person dies, or if a designated beneficiary predeceases the insured person, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall determine the beneficiary in the following order:
  - (1) The [surviving spouse](/usc/38/101.md?p=3) of the insured person.
  - (2) The children of the insured person and descendants of deceased children by representation.
  - (3) The [parents](/usc/38/1901.md?p=4) of the insured person or the survivors of the [parents](/usc/38/1901.md?p=4).
  - (4) The duly appointed executor or administrator of the estate of the insured person.
  - (5) Other next of kin of the insured person entitled under the laws of domicile of the insured person at the time of the death of the insured person.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1160, § 749; renumbered § 1949, Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; amended Pub. L. 117–313, § 3(b)(1), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4400.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–313 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Subject to regulations, the insured shall at all times have the right to change the beneficiary or beneficiaries of a United States Government life insurance policy without the consent of such beneficiary or beneficiaries.”

1991—Pub. L. 102–83 renumbered section 749 of this title as this section.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2022 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–313 applicable with respect to the death of an insured person occurring on or after the date that is two years before Dec. 27, 2022, see section 3(c) of Pub. L. 117–313, set out as a note under section 1917 of this title.