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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Survivor Benefit Plan Enrollment

As you prepare for retirement, it is very important to seek counseling from your Branch of Service on your options.

First, you should review DD Form 2656: Data for Payment of Retired Personnel. It can be downloaded from our Forms webpage.

The DD 2656 offers brief instructions regarding election options and requirements, but you also need to consider other implications. Please make the time to carefully review information about SBP Elections and Eligible Beneficiaries.

When you have made your decisions and are signing Form DD 2656, please keep in mind:

  • The form must be signed prior to your retirement date.
  • Your witness must sign the document on the same date as you.
  • If a spouse’s signature is required, it must be on or after the date of your signature, but also before your retirement date.
  • The notary witnessing the spouse’s signature must sign the document on the same date as the spouse.

NDAA 2023 SBP Open Season

For those looking for information regarding enrolling or discontinuing coverage during the 2023 SBP Open Season, we have a special focus webpage.
 
For retirees currently receiving retired pay, the SBP Open Season Discontinuance Form and FAQs surrounding discontinuing participation in the Plan are now available on our special focus webpage at https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23.   

DFAS is working to prepare the forms, policies and processes required for enrollment during this SBP Open Season. Please check our special focus webpage for the most up to date news and information: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23.

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Page last updated February 15, 2023