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The Department of Defense Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) provides an ongoing monthly annuity payment to military spouses or dependent children when a military member dies while on active duty, or on inactive duty in the line of duty. While a member is serving, SBP coverage is provided at no cost to the member.
When a military member dies in the line of duty, and there is a surviving spouse and a surviving child/children, SBP coverage is set up for spouse and child. This means the spouse receives the SBP annuity payments as long as the spouse remains eligible. If the spouse dies or remarries prior to age 55, the spouse becomes ineligible, and the SBP annuity is paid to the child or children. Spouse and child coverage does not mean both the spouse and the child/children receive annuity payments. It means an eligible child can receive the SBP payments if the spouse becomes ineligible. When a serving military member dies in the line of duty, and there is no surviving spouse, but there is a surviving child or children, the SBP coverage is set up for child only. This means the child receives the monthly SBP annuity payment. If there is more than one eligible child, the total SBP annuity payment is equally divided among the eligible children. Children are eligible until age 18. If the child is in school full-time, they can be eligible for the SBP annuity until age 22, unless they marry or join the military. SBP child claimants between 18 and 22 years old must annually certify their status as an unmarried, full-time student to receive annuity payments. It is important to note that there are special rules for incapacitated child annuitants. If their incapacity began prior to age 18 or while in school full-time before age 22, they can be eligible for life, unless they marry.
When the SBP annuitant is a minor child, DFAS will request a DD Form 2790, Custodianship Certificate to Support Claim on Behalf of Minor Children of Deceased Members of the Armed Forces with the claim. The person named as the Custodian on this form is able to act on behalf of the minor child regarding their SBP annuity pay account. If the Custodian is not the parent, legal documents are required to prove Custodial status.
Parents, guardians, or legal custodians named on the DD Form 2790 can legally make pay-related changes to the minor child’s account, as well as receive pay-related information in the mail, via askDFAS, and via phone (e.g., if the custodian calls the DFAS Customer Care Center). If a custodian calls the DFAS Customer Care Center, they are required to answer verification questions regarding the pay account before the customer service representative can provide any information or make any changes to the pay account. The caller should identify themselves as the legal custodian of a minor child SBP annuitant. The custodian also must sign and submit any eligibility verifications needed on behalf of the minor child SBP annuitant until the child reaches the age of majority.
The parent, guardian, or legal custodian named on the DD Form 2790 can also set up and use a myPay account on behalf of the child to manage the child’s pay account. The custodial legal status must be verified to set up the myPay login and the mailing address must be current in the child’s pay account. Please read our downloadable Get Started with myPay guide on the webpage below.
Please see our webpage, Manage Your SBP Annuity for helpful information: https://www.dfas.mil/managesbp
From Our Partners: Join Us for the Defense Department’s Survivor Symposium on June 27, 2025
Learn more about the June 27, 2025 DoD Survivor Symposium and the series. Sign up for The Survivor Connection eNewsletter to receive updates about future symposiums:
The Defense Department recognizes the commitment of those who have died in service to our country — on Memorial Day and every day. Honor the legacy of your loved one who died while serving honorably on active duty by adding their name to the Military In Lasting Tribute online memorial. Survivors can view, remember and share tributes of their loved ones with their networks, extended survivor community and military family. It’s the only Defense Department memorial that honors service members who died during peacetime. Note: The information on this website is provided to explain typical situations regarding retiree and annuitant benefits. For details and exceptions, please see applicable laws, financial management regulations, and instructions.
Page Updated April 30 2025