A bill to amend chapter 19 of title 38, United States Code, to permit the unrestricted assignment of a beneficiary's interest in the proceeds of a Government Life Insurance policy in cases involving contested claims, and to increase the amount an attorney may receive for representing a claimant in such cases; to authorize the Administrator to establish a program of dividends for certain types of National Service Life Insurance; to authorize the Administrator to use a flexible interest rate in cases where the beneficiary of Government Life Insurance receives the proceeds of such insurance under certain settlement options; and for other purposes.
Veterans' Insurance Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Assignments and Attorneys' Fees - Permits resolution of conflicting claims to the proceeds of National Service Life Insurance and United States Government Life Insurance policies by means of unrestricted assignment of all or part of such proceeds (presently limited to a specified class of people). Permits a claimant to whom insurance proceeds would be paid under an assignment to assign a part of such proceeds as attorneys' fees. Limits such assignment to the lesser of ten percent of the claimant's proceeds, or the amount payable as a fee pursuant to an agreement between such claimant and his or her attorney.
Increases from ten to 25 percent the attorneys' fee limitation on an insurance judgment successfully brought against the Veterans' Administration. Authorizes the court to determine attorneys' fees in cases where the insurance proceeds were paid prior to commencement of litigation. Limits such a fee to 25 percent of the disputed proceeds, and provides for its payment by the successful party or his or her attorney. Prohibits the payment of any other fees to an attorney under such circumstances.
Title II: Dividends - Authorizes the payment of dividends and refunds of unearned premiums in the Veterans' Reopened Insurance Fund in the United States Treasury.
Title III: Flexible Interest Rates - Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to use a flexible interest rate in computing monthly installments of National Service Life Insurance and United States Government Life Insurance proceeds to a beneficiary under a settlement option providing from 36 to 240 monthly installments.
Title IV: Effective Date - States that the provisions of this Act shall take effect as of the date of enactment of this Act.
Referred to House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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