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Forms Frequently Asked Questions
Congress provided for a Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The SBP Open Season began on December 23, 2022 and ends on January 1, 2024. SBP Open Season Enrollment Information – Click here to jump to the Enrollment Section The SBP Open Season allows for retirees receiving retired pay, eligible members, or former members awaiting retired pay who who were NOT enrolled in SBP or RCSBP (Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan) as of December 22, 2022 to enroll. For a member who enrolls during the SBP Open Season, the law generally requires that the member will be responsible to pay retroactive SBP premium costs that would have been paid if the member had enrolled at retirement (or enrolled at another earlier date, depending on the member’s family circumstances). SBP Open Season Discontinuance Information – Click here to jump to the Discontinuance Section The SBP Open Season also allows eligible members and former members who were enrolled in SBP or RCSBP (Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan) as of December 22, 2022 to permanently discontinue their SBP coverage. The law generally requires the covered beneficiaries to concur in writing with the election to discontinue. Previously paid premiums will not be refunded. We will post additional information and instructions on this webpage as they become available. Please check back for news during the 2023 calendar year.
DFAS continues to work with our pay partners to finalize the forms, policies, and processes required to enroll this SBP Open Season. We appreciate your patience as we work through the preparation. Enrollment during the SBP Open Season is a four-step process:
**NOTE: The above process is for ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, SPACE FORCE, and MARINE CORPS RETIREES RECEIVING PAY Currently serving Reserve/Guard should contact their Branch of Service for information on the SBP Open Season and the process to submit the form. Gray Area Retirees (not yet receiving retired pay) of the Navy, Marines and Air Force should contact their Branch of Service for information on the SBP Open Season and the process to submit their form. Army Gray Area Retiree Soldiers (not yet receiving pay), please visit the Army’s webpage on the Survivor Benefit Plan at https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement/survivor-benefit-plan or contact your local Retirement Services Officer. Army Retired Soldiers, for assistance with your decision and form, please visit the Army’s webpage on the Survivor Benefit Plan at https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement/survivor-benefit-plan or contact your local Retirement Services Officer.
As part of the SBP Open Season, retirees, reserve/guard, and Gray Area Retirees are allowed to stop (discontinue) their SBP coverage. The member (1) must get concurrence from their spouse plus any beneficiary covered by SBP that is 18 or over and (2) no premiums are refunded. The following information applies to former active duty and reserve retirees receiving pay ONLY – follow the instructions below to submit the new discontinuance form directly to DFAS. Currently serving Reserve/Guard should contact their Branch of Service for information on the SBP Open Season and the process to submit the form. Gray Area Retirees (not yet receiving retired pay) of the Navy, Marines and Air Force should contact their Branch of Service for information on the SBP Open Season and the process to submit their form. Army Gray Area Retiree Soldiers (not yet receiving pay), please visit the Army’s webpage on the Survivor Benefit Plan at https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement/survivor-benefit-plan or contact your local Retirement Services Officer. Army Retired Soldiers, for assistance with your decision and form, please visit the Army’s webpage on the Survivor Benefit Plan at https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement/survivor-benefit-plan or contact your local Retirement Services Officer. Before submitting your request for discontinuance, please review the SBP advantages and disadvantages information on the first page of the Discontinuance form. SBP Open Seasons rarely occur. Consider the impact your decision will have on your loved ones moving forward. Because your beneficiaries must also concur with the decision to discontinue, you may want to review this information with them. DFAS developed a special form to discontinue coverage during the SBP Open Season.
Defense Finance and Accounting Service U.S. Military Retired Pay 8899 E 56th Street Indianapolis IN 46249-1200
**REMINDER: Currently serving reserve/guard, and Gray Area Retirees (not yet receiving retired pay) should contact their Branch of Service for information on the process to submit their form. Contact information is on the DFAS Gray Area Retiree webpage at https://www.dfas.mil/grayarea.
NDAA 2023 SBP Open Season Law The law providing for an SBP Open Season is publicly available on web sites such as GovInfo at https://www.govinfo.gov (which provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government). Related Links:
Page Updated March 13, 2023