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What Loved Ones Need to Know: New SF 1174 Smart Wizard Tool Now Available


We are sharing this information for retirees 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 allows DFAS to stop payments and prevent overpayments. Once notified, DFAS works to ensure that any subsequent payments include only the funds the retiree was entitled to at the time of death.

The Arrears of Pay (AOP) is a one-time payment made to a beneficiary after the death of a retiree. In most cases, the AOP will include the pro-rated amount of the final month's retired pay. This is because your entitlement to retired pay ends on the date of your death. When your death is reported, DFAS will reclaim your final month's pay and audit your account. The amount of the payment owed to you will then be computed and given to your AOP Beneficiary(ies) following receipt of a valid AOP claim.

The SF 1174 is the form used to make a claim for money due to a retiree after their death. DFAS requires a completed SF 1174 with a copy of the death certificate providing the manner of death. If the SF 1174 is received incomplete or illegible, DFAS will not be able to process the claim, causing a delay in payment to the eligible AOP Beneficiary(ies).

To ensure the SF 1174 is complete, accurate, and legible the first time, DFAS strongly encourages AOP Beneficiary(ies) to use the new SF 1174 Smart Wizard tool available in our Forms Library. The web-based technology allows the Smart Wizard to be opened directly in a browser, eliminating the need to download it to a computer, and open it in Adobe. This enables use on computers as well as personal devices such as phones and tablets.

Due to security settings and protection of personal information, the Smart Wizard must be completed in a single session. Partially completed forms cannot be saved for later access. The Smart Wizard will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity. Once the user exits or the browser times out, they cannot return to where they left off.

Upon completion, the user will generate a ready-to-print PDF. The PDF will require wet signatures unless signed with a Common Access Card (CAC), most common with assistance from a military installation. Upon generating the completed form, a page with instructions will accompany the SF 1174. This page serves as a reminder for signatures, necessary supporting documents, and the link to upload the form and documents to AskDFAS.

The Smart Wizard will also collect direct deposit information for the claimants, so there is no need to submit a separate direct deposit form. Opting for direct deposit offers a faster and fully trackable payment method.

 

Page updated June 26, 2026