Manage Your SBP Annuity
The Survivor Benefit Plan provides an ongoing monthly annuity payment to military spouses or children when a military member dies while on active duty, on inactive duty, or after retirement (if the retiree chooses to purchase coverage).*
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Please see our Survivor SBP Newsletter for the latest news and information.
We have a new, helpful guide to assist in navigating the use of the online tools available for SBP annuitants. Click here to download the pdf guide for annuitants.
SBP Annuitants and Guardians/Legal Representatives of SBP Annuitants: Beginning August 2023, we are reducing the requirements for SBP annuitants to one annual eligibility verification. Previously, some SBP annuitants needed to complete multiple forms each year. Now, SBP annuitants will only need to complete and submit one of the annual verifications each year. There is an overview of the eligibility verification requirements for annuitants below. You can download the DFAS New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants 2023 Fact Sheet or download our new Quick Reference Guide
Please see our SBP-DIC News webpage for news on the SBP-DIC Offset Phased Elimination.
Please see our special focus webpage for Active Duty/Line of Duty survivors who chose the SBP optional child annuity.
Please see our School Certification page for news on the school certification process.
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As long as you maintain your eligibility, you can expect to receive the following services from DFAS Retired and Annuitant (R&A) Pay:
- Monthly payment of benefit
- Implementing changes of address
- Implementing changes in Federal Income Tax Withholding
- Providing 1099Rs
- Establishing direct deposit orders
- Establishing international direct deposit orders
- Confirmation of annuity income
Manage Your Account with myPay
The quickest and most convenient way to manage your annuity pay is with myPay. This online account management system puts you in control of your own account. You can use myPay to view your SBP annuity account detail, including your Annuitant Account Statement, change Direct Deposit information, change your mailing address, and print and view IRS forms, such as the 1099-R.
Please note: only annuitants who are current receiving an SBP annuity payment or SSIA pay can use myPay.
How to Get Started with myPay
If you've never used myPay, it's easy to get started. Go to
https://mypay.dfas.mil using the internet from your computer or your mobile device browser and click "Forgot or Need a Password" to have a temporary password mailed to you. The password will be mailed via regular mail to the address you have on file with DFAS and you will receive it in about 10 business days. Once you have received a password, return to the myPay home page and click "Create your myPay Profile" to get started. Enter your SSN and temporary password.
Here's our handy downloadable "Get Started with myPay" guide.
Annuitant Account Statement
The Annuitant Account Statement (AAS) is available through myPay. For those annuitants who have a hardcopy mail request in their account, it is mailed when changes are made to the account that affect net pay. Use it to verify payment, tax information, and to keep informed about your account.
Taxes
When you fill out a W-4P and mail or fax it to DFAS Military Annuitant Pay, we will withhold federal income taxes from your annuity payment. Every January, we will issue a 1099-R statement that you will need to complete your tax return.
1099-R Reissues
We have easy, convenient options to get a copy of your 1099-R tax document without having to call and wait on hold to speak to someone:
myPay: Your 1099-R is available much earlier and more securely in myPay than those sent to customers who choose delivery by mail. If you're not using myPay, now is the time to get started. See the myPay section above for how to get started.
AskDFAS online request: Even if you are not a myPay user, you can get a copy of your 1099-R sent to your mailing address on record or to a one-time, temporary mailing address by submitting your request online. We have good news for annuitants who need a duplicate IRS 1099-R mailed to a non-U.S.A. address! Our convenient askDFAS online tool for requesting a duplicate 1099-R will now work for foreign addresses. The tool is available at (the link is case-sensitive): https://dvidshub.net/r/9837b4
If you prefer traditional mail, you can send us a written request by mail (or fax), but please make sure you leave ample time for processing and for the mail:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Annuitant Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis IN 46249-1300
Annuitant fax: 800-982-8459
R&A Pay cannot withhold state taxes for annuitants.
Continued Eligibility for SBP Annuity Payments
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuitants need to verify their eligibility regularly to continue to receive SBP annuity payments. The requirements depend on the SBP annuitant’s age and relationship to the military service member.
Beginning August 2023, DFAS is reducing the requirements for SBP annuitants to one annual eligibility verification. Previously, some SBP annuitants needed to complete multiple forms each year. Now, SBP annuitants will only need to complete and submit one of the annual verifications each year.
We also changed the names of two of the annual eligibility verifications, so all names now identify the purpose. Plus, the due dates are easy to remember: they are due the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.
The three types of annual eligibility verifications are: (1) School Certification; (2) Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update; and (3) Foreign Address Update for Mailed Check.
*Download the DFAS New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants 2023 Fact Sheet*
(Download the New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants 2023 Fact Sheet PDF to read, print or share: right click on the link above and choose "Save link as..." to save to your computer)
*Download the DFAS New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants 2023 Quick Reference Guide*
(Download the New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants 2023 Quick Reference PDF to read, print or share: right click on the link above and choose "Save link as..." to save to your computer)
Below are the eligibility verification requirements for Survivor Benefit Plan annuitants. They are split into separate sections based on the annuitant's age and relationship to the military service member.
Click on the category title below to jump to a specific section or scroll down the page to see the requirements for all annuitants:
If you are a Spouse or Former Spouse SBP Annuitant – click here
Requirements for Child SBP Annuitants Under-18 – click here
If you are a Student Child SBP Annuitant 18-22 - click here
If caring for an Incapacitated Child Annuitant - click here
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Spouse and Former Spouse SBP Annuitants
(Includes spouse/former spouse annuitants documented as incapacitated)
New Requirements - Summary
- Spouse and former spouse annuitants under the age of 55 = Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU) due annually the first day of the month of their birthday.
- Spouse and former spouse annuitants age 55 and over receiving a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address = Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter due annually the first day of the month of their birthday.
Overview of New Requirements: Spouse and Former Spouse SBP Annuitants Under the Age of 55 – Annual SBP-MSU
Spouse and former spouse annuitants
under the age of 55 are required to verify annually they are not married. Starting in August 2023, the annual Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be replaced by the Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU). We mail an SBP-MSU letter three months prior to the annuitant’s birthday. They should return the completed, signed SBP-MSU by the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.
Spouse and former spouse annuitants under the age of 55 who receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual Report of Existence (ROE)/FAUMC verification. The annual SBP-MSU will serve as their sole annual verification.
The completed, signed SBP-MSU can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the new askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the SBP-MSU titled “SBP-MSU.”
Overview of New Requirements: Spouse and Former Spouse SBP Annuitants Age 55 and Older Receiving a Paycheck in the Mail to a Foreign Address - FAUMC
Spouse and former spouse annuitants
Age 55 and Older who receive a
paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are required to verify annually they are still living and confirm their mailing address, using the Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter.
We mail an FAUMC three months prior to the annuitant’s birthday. Annuitants should return the completed, signed FAUMC by the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.
The completed, signed FAUMC can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool titled “General SBP Annuitant Documentation.”
Additional Information
We will still accept and process annuitant COEs or ROEs in place of the new SBP-MSU or FAUMC through 2024.
If annuitants owed a COE or ROE prior to August 2023, we request they complete and return it. They can also download the new SBP-MSU or FAUMC from our website Forms Library here and return that instead.
If you do not receive an SBP-MSU in the mail and you fit the criteria above, you still need to submit the document. If we don’t receive the completed SBP-MSU when due, we will suspend payment until we receive the properly completed document.
Please ensure that your mailing address is always up-to-date with DFAS so you can receive important communications. You can also download the SBP-MSU from our Forms webpage:
https://www.dfas.mil/raforms
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Child SBP Annuitants Under 18
(Not Documented as Incapacitated)
New Requirements - Summary
- SBP Child Annuitants ages 14 to 17 = Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU) due annually the first of the month of their birthday.
- SBP Child Annuitants under 14 receiving a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address = Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter due annually the first of the month of their birthday.
Overview of New Requirements: SBP Child Annuitants Ages 14-17
(Not Documented as Incapacitated) – Annual SBP-MSU
SBP child Annuitants ages 14 to 17 who are not documented as incapacitated are required to verify annually they are not married. Starting in August 2023, the annual Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be replaced by the Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU).
We mail an SBP-MSU three months prior to the annuitant’s birthday. The legal guardian should return the completed, signed SBP-MSU by the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.
SBP child annuitants ages 14 to 17 who receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual ROE/FAUMC verification. The annual SBP-MSU will serve as their sole annual verification.
The completed, signed SBP-MSU can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the new askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the SBP-MSU titled “SBP-MSU.”
Overview of New Requirements: SBP Child Annuitants Under Age 14 Receiving a Paycheck in the Mail to a Foreign Address (Not Documented as Incapacitated) – FAUMC
SBP Child Annuitants under 14 years old who are not documented as incapacitated and receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are required to verify annually they are still living and confirm their mailing address, using the Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter.
We mail an FAUMC three months prior to the annuitant’s birthday. The legal representative should return the completed, signed FAUMC by the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.
The completed, signed FAUMC can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool titled “General SBP Annuitant Documentation.”
Additional Information
We will still accept and process annuitant COEs or ROEs in place of the new SBP-MSU or FAUMC through 2024.
If annuitants owed a COE or ROE prior to August 2023, we request they complete and return it. They can also download the new SBP-MSU or FAUMC from our website Forms Library here and return that instead.
If you do not receive an SBP-MSU or FAUMC in the mail and the child annuitant fits the criteria above, you still need to submit the document. If we don’t receive the completed SBP-MSU or FAUMC when due, we will suspend payment until we receive the properly completed document.
Please ensure that your mailing address is always up-to-date with DFAS so you can receive important communications. You can also download the SBP-MSU or FAUMC from our Forms webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raforms
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Student Child SBP Annuitants 18-22
(Not Documented as Incapacitated)
Requirements – Summary (School Cert Requirements Have Not Changed)
Summary
- Student SBP Child Annuitants turning 18 = School Certification and Direct Deposit forms due the first of the month of their birthday.
- Student SBP Child Annuitants 18-22 = School Certification annually - due the end of their school year.
A child's eligibility to receive SBP payments ends when the child turns 18 unless proven to be in school (or incapacitated). If a child annuitant attends school full-time (in high school or at an accredited college or university), the SBP annuity payments can continue until they reach age 22 or otherwise become ineligible.
Overview of Requirements: SBP Child Annuitants Turning Age 18
(Not Documented as Incapacitated) – School Certification
SBP child annuitants between 18 and 22 years old must regularly certify their status as an unmarried, full-time student to continue to receive annuity payments using the DD 2788 School Certification form. For high school or college students turning 18, we will mail a School Certification form and Direct Deposit form 60-90 days prior to their 18th birthday. The forms must be filled out and signed by the legal representative and returned to DFAS by the first day of the month of the child annuitant’s 18th birthday.
Child SBP annuitants turning 18 who receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual ROE/FAUMC verification. The annual School Certification will serve as their sole annual verification.
The completed, signed School Certification and Direct Deposit forms can be mailed, faxed or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the School Certification, titled “School Certification.”
Overview of Requirements: Child SBP Annuitants Age 18-22
(Not Documented as Incapacitated) – School Certification
SBP child annuitants between 18 and 22 years old must regularly certify their status as an unmarried, full-time student to continue to receive annuity payments.
For SBP child annuitant college students between 18 and 22 years old once each year, approximately 60 to 90 days prior to the end of your school year, we will mail a DD 2788 School Certification form and Child Annuitant’s Certification for Previous Attendance Letter. These verifications are due the first day of the month their school year ends.
For both high school and college student turning 18 and over 18, we will now also use the annual DD 2788 School Certification Form as the annual COE/SBP-MSU instead of sending a separate verification to submit each year. The annual School Certification/Previous Attendance will serve as their sole annual verification.
Child SBP annuitants 18-22 who receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual ROE/FAUMC verification. The annual School Certification/Previous Attendance will serve as their sole annual verification.
The completed, signed School Certification and Previous Attendance letter can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the School Certification titled “School Certification.”
Note: “Child” refers to the annuitant’s relationship to the member, not the age of the annuitant.
Additional Information
If you do not receive a School Certification in the mail and you fit the criteria above, you still need to submit the document. If we don’t receive the completed School Certification when due, we will suspend payment until we receive the properly completed document.
Please ensure that your mailing address is always up-to-date with DFAS so you can receive important communications. You can also download the DD 2788 School Certification form or ROE from our Forms webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raforms
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Child Annuitants Documented as Incapacitated
New Requirements - Summary
- Child SBP Annuitants Documented as Incapacitated age 14 and over = Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU) due annually the first of the month of their birthday.
- Child SBP Annuitants under 14 Documented as Incapacitated and receiving a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address - Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter due annually the first of the month of their birthday.
IMPORTANT
For child annuitants documented as incapacitated, the eligibility verification must be signed and submitted by the legal representative. “Child” refers to the annuitant’s relationship to the member, not the age of the annuitant.
Overview of New Requirements: Child SBP Annuitants Age 14 and Over and Documented as Incapacitated – Annual SBP-MSU
Child SBP Annuitants ages 14 and over who are documented as incapacitated are required to verify annually they are not married.
Starting in August 2023, the annual Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be replaced by the Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU).
Child SBP annuitants ages 14 and over who are documented as incapacitated and receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual ROE/FAUMC verification. The annual SBP-MSU will serve as their sole annual verification.
The completed, signed SBP-MSU can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the new askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the SBP-MSU, titled “SBP-MSU.”
Overview of New Requirements: Child SBP Annuitants Under Age 14 Documented as Incapacitated and Receiving a Paycheck in the Mail to a Foreign Address – FAUMC
Child SBP Annuitants under 14 years old who are documented as incapacitated and receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are required to verify annually they are still living and confirm their mailing address, using the Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter.
We mail an FAUMC three months prior to the annuitant’s birthday. The legal representative should return the completed, signed FAUMC by the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.
The completed, signed FAUMC can be mailed, faxed or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool, titled “General SBP Annuitant Documentation.”
Additional Information
We will still accept and process annuitant COEs or ROEs in place of the new SBP-MSU or FAUMC through 2024.
If annuitants owed a COE or ROE prior to August 2023, we request they complete and return it. They can also download the new SBP-MSU or FAUMC from our website Forms Library here and return that instead.
If you do not receive an SBP-MSU in the mail and you fit the criteria above, you still need to submit the document. If we don’t receive the completed SBP-MSU when due, we will suspend payment until we receive the properly completed document.
Please ensure that your mailing address is always up-to-date with DFAS so you can receive important communications. You can also download the SBP-MSU or FAUMC from our Forms webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raforms
How Remarriage May Impact a Spouse SBP Annuity
Surviving spouses maintain their eligibility for SBP until death, as long as they do not remarry before the age of 55. If the annuitant remarries before age 55, annuity payments will stop.
However, if the marriage of an annuitant (who remarried before age 55) later ends for any reason, their eligibility for the annuity is reinstated, effective on the first day of the month the marriage ends. The annuity payments will be restarted, once DFAS has received and processed the notification and documents.
If DIC payments stop and the spouse's SBP payment was previously reduced or eliminated because of DIC, the full SBP payment may resume.
Spouse annuitants who remarry after age 55 are entitled to receive full SBP and DIC benefits at the same time. This is the result of a 2009 court** decision. According to the ruling, DFAS is not required to offset DIC payments from a monthly SBP annuity if a spouse is entitled to both benefits and has remarried after age 55.
How to Notify DFAS of a Change in Marital Status
Annuitants are responsible for notifying DFAS of any changes to their marital status.
To notify us of a remarriage prior to age 55, please complete the following form and mail or fax it with a copy of your marriage certificate to DFAS U.S. Military Annuitant Pay:
1. SBP-MSU (Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update)
To notify us of a remarriage after age 55, please complete the following forms and mail or fax to DFAS U.S. Military Annuitant Pay:
1. DD 2656-7 (Verification for Survivor Annuity)
2. IRS W-4P (Withholding for Pension or Annuity Payments)
To notify us of a marriage termination to restart an SBP annuity, please complete the following forms and mail or fax to DFAS U.S. Military Annuitant Pay:
1. DD 2656-7 (Verification for Survivor Annuity)
2. IRS W-4P (Withholding for Pension or Annuity Payments)
*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 last updated Sept 14, 2023