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Did You Know? Survivor SBP Newsletter April 2025


We recognize the laws and regulations governing military annuity pay are complex and can be difficult to understand. In each issue of the DFAS Survivor SBP Newsletter, we will share a few helpful tips for survivors. 

  • Did You Know: When you fill out an IRS Form W-4P and submit it via myPay, askDFAS, mail, or fax to DFAS Military Annuitant Pay, we will withhold federal income taxes from your annuity payment. Every January, we will issue a 1099-R statement needed to complete your tax return. 

  • Did You Know: Surviving spouses maintain their eligibility for Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) until death as long as they do not remarry before age 55. If a spouse annuitant remarries before age 55, annuity payments are suspended. However, if the marriage of an annuitant (who remarried before age 55) later ends for any reason, their eligibility for the annuity is reinstated and effective on the first day of the month the marriage ends. The annuity payments will  restart once DFAS  receives and processes the notification and documents. Please note: child annuitants may not marry at any age and remain eligible for SBP. 

  • Did You Know: DFAS recognizes various types of third-party representation for annuitants who need help managing their account. However, one type of representation DFAS does not recognize for annuitants is a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA). Currently, DFAS is authorized by law to accept a DPOA for retiree accounts only. A detailed explanation of third-party representation can be found at https://www.dfas.mil/annthirdparty. 

  • Did You Know: SBP child annuitants between 18 and 22 years old must regularly certify their status as an unmarried, full-time student to continue receiving SBP annuity payments. For both high school and college students turning 18 and over 18, we now use the annual DD 2788 School Certification Form as the only required form for annual certification. Learn more at https://www.dfas.mil/schoolcerts. 

  • Did You Know: There are several ways to change your address, including two online options available 24/7. The easiest and most convenient way to update your address is in myPay. You can also request an address update using our askDFAS online tools. Find out more on the Quick Tools webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raquicktools . If you don’t have a myPay account, you can call our customer care center at 800-321-1080. If you’d like to send a written request, you can send it by mail, fax or by uploading it using our askDFAS online upload tool. Be sure to include your full name, Social Security Number and the member’s Social Security Number. Remember to sign and date any written correspondence.   

  • Did You Know: In addition to keeping your mailing address updated with DFAS, it’s important to keep your information current with your loved one’s Branch of Service if you are a surviving spouse or child of a member who died on active duty, or inactive duty, in the line of duty.  

DFAS Webpages for Survivors 

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