Retirement benefits extended to military survivors

Republic Act No. 340: Survivor benefits accorded only to surviving spouse and minor/unmarried children (legitimate, adopted, or acknowledged natural).
Presidential Decree No. 1044: Benefits for minor and unmarried surviving children and surviving parents for non-retirable military personnel, excluding unmarried children of majority age and brothers/sisters.

New Civil Code broadens intestate succession rights to brothers and sisters and other collateral relatives up to the fifth civil degree in absence of direct descendants or ascendants, even with a surviving spouse.
Recognizes Filipino family solidarity emphasizing benefits beyond immediate lineal descendants.

Addresses instances where deceased military personnel are survived only by unmarried children of majority age, or parents, or unmarried siblings.
Seeks to provide equitable benefits consistent with prevailing inheritance and family support traditions.

Applies to officers or enlisted men who would have been eligible for retirement or separation benefits at the time of death.
If no eligible primary beneficiary (spouse or minor/unmarried children), benefits extend to:
- Surviving unmarried legitimate, adopted, or acknowledged natural children aged 21 or older;
- In their absence, surviving parent(s);
- Failing that, surviving unmarried brothers and sisters.
Entitlement is equal shares of a gratuity based on one month of base and longevity pay per year of service.
Payment is made in a lump sum.

Decree takes effect upon approval.
Benefits apply retroactively to military personnel who died in line of duty on or after the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972.

Issued by the President of the Philippines under constitutional powers.
Formal decree enacted as part of the law of the land with clear procedural and substantive conditions for eligibility and benefit computation.