What Loved Ones Need to Know: Reporting the Death of a Retiree or SBP Annuitant

We are sharing this information for retirees and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuitants to prepare loved ones and help ease the emotional and financial burdens that can occur during a difficult time. Promptly reporting the death of a retiree or SBP annuitant allows DFAS to stop payments and prevent overpayments. Once notified, DFAS works to ensure that any subsequent payments include only the funds the retiree or annuitant was entitled to at the time of death.

Webpage and Checklist Updates
We made updates to our retiree and SBP annuitant report of death webpages. Below are the links to the webpages.

Report a Retiree’s Death webpage - https://www.dfas.mil/retdeath

Report an SBP Annuitant's Death webpage - https://www.dfas.mil/anndeath
In addition to the updates, we created checklists to assist your loved ones with knowing what to do when reporting a death of a retiree or SBP annuitant. These helpful checklists summarize the steps to take after the death of a retiree or SBP annuitant.

The checklists are located on our Report a Retiree’s Death and Report an SBP Annuitant's Death webpages (see the webpage links listed above).  The checklist are also listed on our Quick Tools webpage within the “Retirees” and “SBP Annuitants / Survivors” section. The Quick Tools webpage link is: https://www.dfas.mil/raquicktools

Take a moment to review these webpages and checklists. Keep them easily accessible and share them with your loved ones.

Reporting the Death of a Retiree
A military retiree’s entitlement to retired pay ends on the date of death. DFAS will stop making monthly payments once we are notified. However, there are instances when a retiree dies near the end of the month (when it’s too late to stop the payment) or DFAS is not notified of the death in a timely manner. This results in a deposit into a retiree’s bank account after the retiree’s death. We are required to notify the bank to reclaim in full all payments made after the retiree’s death. If the retiree had a joint bank account, it is especially important to be aware that the entire payment will be reclaimed. 

The retiree’s final prorated payment is issued to the designated beneficiary as Arrears of Pay (AOP) once a valid claim is received. Please note that all payments made after the retiree’s date of death must be returned before AOP can be paid. In addition, financial institutions are obligated to return any federal benefit payments made after they are notified of the death of an account holder. In some cases, a retiree’s bank may return the retired pay payment made after the date of the retiree’s death before DFAS reclaims the payment. 

How to Report a Retiree’s Death
You may use one of the following methods:

1. Fill out the online askDFAS Notification of Death form (available online 24/7) 

You will need to have the following information available for the retiree: 

• Full Name
• Social Security Number
• Date of Death
• Cause of Death (Natural, Homicide, Pending, or Other)
• Marital Status

Additionally, the retiree’s spouse will also need to provide their date of marriage.  
Anyone submitting the form must also provide their name, relationship to the retiree, and contact information for the notification of death to be processed.
OR

2. Call our Customer Care Center: 1-800-321-1080
When you call, please be prepared to provide:  

• Retiree’s Full Name  
• Retiree’s Social Security Number  
• Date of Death  

OR
3. Fax or Mail Documentation
Mail to:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retired Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200

Fax to: 1-800-469-6559

DFAS strongly encourages you to use Option 1 or Option 2 above to notify us promptly of a retiree’s death. If you have any difficulty using the askDFAS online form, please call our Customer Care Center. 

DFAS is required to have a copy of the retiree’s death certificate that states the cause or manner of death prior to making any AOP payments. Please include a copy with your documents. 

Reporting the Death of an SBP Annuitant
An SBP annuitant’s pay stops on the last day of the month prior to the annuitant’s death. DFAS will stop monthly payments upon notification of death to prevent overpayment. If a payment was made after the date of the SBP annuitant’s death, we are required to notify the bank to reclaim the entire payment. 

The SBP annuitant's final payment will be issued as Arrears of Annuity (AOA). AOA payments are uncommon and occur only when:

1. The SBP annuitant’s account was not established before their death, or
2. The SBP annuitant’s account was suspended at the time of death.

DFAS will mail the required paperwork to claim AOA. AOA is paid according to the federally mandated Order of Precedence following our receipt of the proper SF1174 claim form for any eligible beneficiary/beneficiaries.  

How to Report an SBP Annuitant’s Death
You may use one of the following methods:

1. 1. Fill out the online askDFAS Notification of Death form (available online 24/7) 

This online tool is especially helpful for those living overseas.
You will need to have the following information available for the SBP Annuitant: 
 

• SBP Annuitant’s Full Name
• Social Security Number
• Deceased Retiree’s Full Name
• Deceased Retiree’s Social Security Number
• Date of Death
• Cause of Death

Anyone submitting the form must also provide their name, relationship to the SBP Annuitant, and contact information for the notification of death to be processed.
OR

2. Call our Customer Care Center: 1-800-321-1080
When you call, please be prepared to provide:  

• SBP Annuitant’s Full Name  
• SBP Annuitant’s Social Security Number  
• Deceased Retiree’s Full Name 
• Deceased Retiree’s Social Security Number 
• Date of Death  

OR
3. Fax or Mail Documentation
Mail to:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Annuitant Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300

Fax to: 1-800-982-8459

DFAS strongly encourages you to use Option 1 or Option 2 above to notify us promptly of an SBP Annuitant’s death. If you have any difficulty using the askDFAS online form, please call our Customer Care Center. 

DFAS is required to have a copy of the SBP annuitant’s death certificate that states the cause or manner of death, please include a copy with your documents. Please ensure both the SBP annuitant’s and the deceased retiree’s names and Social Security Numbers are also written at the top of the death certificate to ensure proper routing. Following a complete audit of the SBP annuitant’s account, DFAS will determine if any funds are owed.