Changes to the Survivor Benefit Plan for SBP Annuitants in 2023 

This year brought big changes to the Survivor Benefit Plan for surviving spouses who were also receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payment from the VA. It also brought big changes for surviving spouses and children of members who died on active duty or inactive duty, in the line of duty, and chose the Optional Annuity for Dependent Children. 

SBP-DIC Offset Elimination 

Beginning with the February 1, 2023 payday, the SBP-DIC Offset was fully eliminated. That means spouses now receive their full SBP monthly payments from DFAS and their full Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments from the VA. 
The Special Survivors Indemnity Allowance (SSIA) will no longer be paid after the January 3, 2023 payment, because SSIA is only paid to spouses who have their SBP payment offset by DIC. 

Please note the change in the law does NOT affect the amount of DIC you receive from the VA. You should continue to receive your full DIC amount from the VA. 

*Find out more on our special focus webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpdicnews

The Survivor Benefit Plan 2023 Active Duty/Line of Duty Optional Annuity for Dependent Children Elimination/Annuity Reversion to Surviving Spouses

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 repealed the authority for the Optional Annuity for Dependent Children for Active Duty/Line of Duty survivors as of January 1, 2023.

This means for the surviving spouse of an Active Duty/Line of Duty member who requested to have the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity paid directly to an eligible dependent child or children, the annuity must revert to the surviving spouse in 2023 (if she or he submits documentation and is eligible).

Please check our special focus webpage for news and information regarding the changes: https://www.dfas.mil/sbp2023childoptrev

If you are the surviving spouse of an Active Duty/Line of Duty member who requested to have the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity paid directly to an eligible dependent child or children and you have NOT submitted a Spouse Eligibility Packet, we need your information as soon as possible. Please download, fill out and submit the eligibility packet from our special focus webpage as soon as possible: https://www.dfas.mil/sbp2023childoptrev

If you are the surviving child or the parent or guardian of a surviving child of an Active Duty/Line of Duty member whose surviving spouse requested to have the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity paid directly to the child or children at the time of the member’s passing, please see our special focus webpage for more information: https://www.dfas.mil/sbp2023childoptrev