The Military Survivor Benefit Plan Protects Your Military Family

Military servicemembers are automatically enrolled in the military Survivor Benefit Plan. Your Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) provides a pension to your military family based on a predetermined amount of your military retired pay.
Military service members with a spouse or children are automatically enrolled in SBP with maximum coverage.

FAMILY MEMBERS ENTITLED TO SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN

If you are a military service member who remarries and wants spouse only or spouse and SBP child coverage, your spouse coverage is resumed on the first anniversary date of remarriage, or when a child is born as legal issue of the marriage, unless you elect to withdraw coverage.

INCREASING SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN COVERAGE

Military service members may increase Survivor Benefit Plan coverage (base amount) up to and including your full retired pay. If you select this option, you must pay the difference between the Survivor Benefit Plan standard and increased costs, including interest.

WITHDRAWING SBP COVERAGE

As a military service member, if you decide to discontinue the spouse portion of your Survivor Benefit Plan coverage before the date your spouse becomes an eligible beneficiary, written notification must be received to confirm the stopped-coverage.

The period of time in which a military retiree can withdraw from SBP is from 25-36 months following retirement. Withdrawal from SBP must be done on DD Form 2656-2. To withdraw SBP spouse coverage, the spouse must agree in writing, and RSO/RAO or a Notary must witness the spouse's signature. Once a retiree withdraws, the Survivor Benefit Plan cannot be elected again in the future.

SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN FOR CHILDREN

Survivor Benefit Plan coverage for children in your military family may be elected if the children are under 18 at the time of your military retirement; between 18-22 years old and attending school on a full-time basis; or have a disability that renders them unable to support themselves.

SUPPLEMENTAL SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN

Military retirees who elect basic Survivor Benefit Plan at the maximum level for a spouse or former spouse may purchase additional, supplemental coverage to increase the survivor benefit after age 62 by 5 percent, 10 percent, 15 percent, or 20 percent of retired pay. Contact your military SBP counselor for more information.