The military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) after a death

Military retired pay ends when the retiree dies. The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is what keeps a monthly payment going: for a spouse, it's 55% of the base amount the retiree chose, for life. The time to check it is now, on the retiree's account statement, while a mistake can still be fixed.

What SBP is

SBP pays an annuity, a monthly payment for the life of the beneficiary. The retiree pays premiums out of retired pay, and the choice is generally made at retirement. Without SBP, retired pay stops: the entitlement ends on the date of death, and the family gets only the prorated part of the last month. Sources: DFAS, Survivor Benefit Plan, DFAS, when a military retiree dies.

How much does it pay?

For a spouse, the annuity is 55% of the base amount, which the retiree chose at anywhere from $300 up to full retired pay. It generally goes up with the same cost-of-living increases as retired pay. Premiums stop once the retiree is 70 and has paid for 30 years. Source: Department of Defense, SBP spouse coverage.

Check who is covered, now

The Retiree Account Statement in myPay has an SBP section. Check the coverage type and the date of birth of the spouse or youngest child. For a former spouse, the coverage type should say "former spouse"; a date of birth alone doesn't mean coverage is active. Some changes have a one-year deadline to tell DFAS, and they use Form DD 2656-6 with papers like a marriage license or divorce decree. Sources: DFAS, SBP coverage on your Retiree Account Statement; DFAS, changing SBP coverage.

How the family claims it

Report the death to DFAS by phone at 800-321-1080 or with the online notice of death on askDFAS. DFAS mails a condolence package, generally within a week. The SBP beneficiary should promptly send Form DD 2656-7, Verification for Survivor Annuity, and the person named for arrears of pay sends Form SF 1174 for the final month's pay. Include a copy of the death certificate that shows the cause or manner of death. If a payment arrived after the death, DFAS takes it back and audits the account, so don't spend it. Source: DFAS, when a military retiree dies.

SBP and DIC together

Before 2023, a spouse's SBP was cut by the VA's Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). That offset ended completely on January 1, 2023. Eligible surviving spouses now get their full SBP from DFAS and their full DIC from VA. See VA survivor benefits. Source: DFAS, end of the SBP-DIC offset.

Remarriage, and children

A surviving spouse or former spouse keeps SBP for life unless they remarry before 55. If they do, payments are suspended, and they can be reinstated starting the first day of the month that marriage ends. Payments to a child generally stop at 18, continue to 22 for an unmarried full-time student, and continue for a child who is incapacitated. Sources: DFAS, how remarriage before 55 affects SBP, DFAS, staying eligible for SBP.

Guard and Reserve: RCSBP

Reserve Component SBP covers Guard and Reserve members who qualify for retired pay. When the Notice of Eligibility arrives, the member has 90 days to choose on Form DD 2656-5; with no choice, the law enrolls them in Option C. Option A declines until age 60, Option B pays survivors starting when the member would have turned 60, and Option C can pay right after death. Source: DFAS, Reserve Component SBP.

What to keep together

[ ] The latest Retiree Account Statement from myPay
[ ] The SBP election form from retirement
[ ] Retirement orders and the DD214
[ ] Marriage certificate, and any divorce decree
[ ] Birth certificates of covered children
[ ] DFAS phone, 800-321-1080, and who is named for arrears of pay

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Frequently asked questions

How much does SBP pay a surviving spouse?

55% of the base amount the retiree chose, which can be from $300 up to full retired pay, for the spouse's life.

Can a widow get SBP and DIC at the same time?

Yes. The SBP-DIC offset ended on January 1, 2023. Eligible spouses now get both in full.

What happens to SBP if a widow remarries?

If she remarries before 55, payments are suspended. They can be reinstated if that marriage ends. Remarrying at 55 or older doesn't stop them.

Is this legal or financial advice?

No. It is general information from DFAS and the Department of Defense. DFAS decides each claim.

Sources

General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change; check the official sources above or talk to a licensed professional about your situation.