What You Need To Know For Child Annuitants Approaching Age 18

Child annuitants who are unmarried and attending school full time, may remain eligible to receive benefits after reaching the age of 18. Once they turn 18, however, they are no longer required to have a guardian or legal representative. DFAS will therefore discontinue the direct deposit to the guardian or legal representative receiving benefits on the annuitant’s behalf.

To avoid any disruption in direct deposit, DFAS allows the annuitant to set up a direct deposit in their own name up to 60 days prior to reaching their 18th birthday. Since they are still a minor child at this time, both the annuitant and the guardian/legal representative must sign a new Direct Deposit Authorization Form 1199A or a FastStart Direct Deposit Form (FMS 2231). For those that need to set up an international direct deposit, please utilize the International Direct Deposit Enrollment Form (OF-1199I).

All forms can be found by using the link to our Forms Library provided below, under the Banking and Checking Forms or Annuitants’ Startup Forms category.
https://www.dfas.mil/raforms

The child annuitant will receive a letter prior to their 18th birthday reminding them to establish a new direct deposit and enclosing a Direct Deposit Authorization. If the annuitant fails to set up a new direct deposit by their 18th birthday, the annuity will be sent to the address of record in the form of a paper check. This will continue until a new direct deposit is established.

In addition to a Direct Deposit Authorization Form, the child annuitant will also be required to complete a Child Annuitant’s School Certification (DD Form 2788) in order to continue to receive their SBP annuity benefits. Please refer to the school certification article provided in this newsletter for additional information regarding the school certification process for child annuitants.