31 U.S.C. § 771 — Definitions

(1) “Dependent child” means an unmarried dependent child, including a stepchild or adopted child, who is (A) under 18; (B) unable to support themself because of a physical or mental disability; or (C) 18 through 22 and regularly taking a full-time course of study or training in residence at a high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or comparable recognized educational institution.

For this subchapter, if the child is regularly pursuing such study or training and the child’s 22nd birthday occurs before July 1 or after August 31 of a calendar year, the child is treated as becoming 22 on the following July 1. A student is treated as continuing to be a student during a break between school years if the break is no longer than five months and the child satisfies the General Counsel of the Government Accountability Office that the child genuinely intends to continue at the same or a different school during the school period immediately after the break.

(2) “Surviving spouse” means the surviving spouse of a former or retired Comptroller General who either (A) was married to that individual for at least one year immediately before the death, or (B) has not remarried before age 55 and is the parent of a child from the marriage.

(3) Service as Comptroller General equals the number of years and complete months the individual served as Comptroller General.