We at Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) emphasize the need for Retired military service members to make certain their Designation of Beneficiary paperwork is up to date and on file.

Further, if a retiree designates an estate, they must have the proper notarized and sealed, court-recognized estate papers. Living Wills and Letters of Testamentary are not eligible documents and will not be considered.

The official Designation of Beneficiary Form DD 2894 can be sent by mail, by request, by calling toll free 1-800-321-1080, commercial (216) 522-5955 (Mon. through Fri. from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET) or can be immediately accessed online at:

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd2894.pdf