How to Claim a Retiree’s Arrears of Pay Using the SF 1174
Arrears of Pay (AOP) is a one-time payment, usually less than one month’s pay, made to the AOP beneficiary after the death of a retiree. Arrears of Pay (AOP) is not a death benefit.
The Arrears of Pay payment to the beneficiary is:
The pro-rated amount of the retiree’s final month’s pay. And, if applicable, any other money owed to the retiree at the time of their death.
To make a claim for money due to a retiree after their death, complete and submit an SF 1174 with a copy of the death certificate listing the cause of death. Please send a COPY of the death certificate, not the original. We are unable to return original documents. You can download the SF 1174 form from our Forms Library webpage. We also have a Form Wizard to help you complete the form correctly. Get the Form Wizard on our Forms Library webpage.
The SF 1174 should be used by those who either (1) are the designated beneficiary on file with our agency, or (2) are entitled under the Order of Precedence.
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Helpful tools for surviving spouses and children
If you are the spouse (widow/widower) or child(ren) of the deceased retiree, we have new, helpful tools to help you fill out the SF 1174 correctly and easily.
Up to two claimants can use one SF 1174. If there are two claimants on one form, both must sign on the same date in front of the witnesses. If there are more than two claimants, or the claimants are not signing together, please submit separate forms.
Direct deposit for Arrears of Pay payments
We can now deposit an Arrears of Pay (AOP) payment directly to an eligible claimant’s bank account instead of mailing a check. Direct deposit can reduce the time it takes to receive the payment. To have an AOP payment direct deposited to your bank account, send a completed Direct Deposit Authorization (DFAS-CL Form 1059) with your SF 1174.
Use the SF 1174 Form Wizard to fill in your form
The SF 1174 Form Wizard will help you fill out the SF 1174 Arrears of Pay form. The form wizard will ask you a series of questions and fill in your answers in the appropriate areas of the form. When you have finished answering the questions, you can click a button to generate a ready-to-print PDF with your answers. Get the Form Wizard on our Forms webpage
Please remember you will need to sign and date this form in front of two witnesses, and then submit it to DFAS, along with a copy of the death certificate that lists the cause of death.
How to use the Form Wizard
You can download the entire SF 1174 Form Wizard to your Windows or MAC computer. You will need compatible PDF software, such as the free Adobe Acrobat DC software, available at adobe.com. We do not recommend saving the Form Wizard to a shared computer, because it contains personally-identifiable information. Get the Form Wizard on our Forms webpage
Use the Form 1174 Retiree AOP Checklist to fill out your form
The Form 1174 Retiree AOP Checklist provides quick tips and a walk-through of the form to help you fill out the SF 1174 correctly and easily. You can download and print the checklist, or use it on your computer or tablet to assist you in filling out the form.
Submit your completed SF 1174 and copy of death certificate online using our new askDFAS online upload tool on DFAS.mil
You can now upload a PDF of your completed/signed form and supporting documents via the askDFAS online upload tool on DFAS.mil.
Use the DD 2790 Checklist to fill out your 2790 form (if applicable)
The DD 2790 Checklist provides quick tips and a walk-through of the form to help you fill out the DD 2790 correctly and easily. You can download and print the checklist, or use it on your computer or tablet to assist you in filling out the form.
Watch the Annuitant DD 2790 How-To Video on YouTube
The DD 2790 How-To Video provides a walk-through to help you fill out the DD 2790 correctly and easily.
If you have additional questions about claiming retiree Arrears of Pay, please contact your Branch of Service Retiree Service Organization or call our Customer Care Center at 800-321-1080.
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Instructions for common claimants - retiree Arrears of Pay
Listed below are instructions for the most common claimants to the member's Arrears of Pay. The instructions are broken into relationship based on (1) designated beneficiary, and (2) non-designated beneficiary. Non-designated claimants are only entitled under the
Order of Precedence. In the event you are unsure that you are the designated beneficiary on file, please follow the instructions for your relationship under the "Non Designated" category.
Submitting the SF 1174 and death certificate
Send the completed SF 1174 for a retiree’s Arrears of Pay with a copy of the death certificate that lists the cause of death; include a completed Direct Deposit Authorization (DFAS-CL Form 1059) with your SF 1174 to have an AOP payment direct deposited to your bank account:
A. Upload a PDF of your completed/signed form and supporting documents via the askDFAS online upload tool on DFAS.mil
B. OR, mail to:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retired Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis IN 46249-1200
Remember to keep a copy of your signed form.
C. OR, fax to: 800-469-6559
Claimants with special circumstances
At the end of this page, there are additional instructions for those claimants with special circumstances; additional documentation or steps may be required.
If you are filling out an SF 1174 to request the arrears of annuity for an SBP ANNUITANT rather than a retiree, please refer to the following instructions:
Beneficiary of an SBP Annuitant
Supplemental Instructions – SF 1174 Retiree Arrears of Pay
The following instructions outline how to complete an SF 1174 for the following:
- Designated Beneficiary (Not Estate or Trust)
- Designated (Estate or Trust)
- Not Designated (Spouse, Children, Parents)
- Not Designated (Estate)
- Not Designated (Siblings, Children of Siblings)
Designated Beneficiary (Not Estate or Trust)
Example of a completed form
If an organization is designated as beneficiary, i.e. "Salvation Army," a representative from the designated organization must complete an SF1174 on behalf of the organization.
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Part
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Instructions
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Reminder or Tips
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A
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Complete Sections # 1- 6 with your information and,
Complete Sections # 7-10 with information of the decedent
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If claimant is minor, complete form DD 2790 (available on our Forms webpage)
If claimant does not have a "Social Security Number," please complete IRS Form W-7.
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B
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Respond "Yes" if claimant was married to member at time of death
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n/a
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C
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Complete with N/A
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n/a
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D
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Complete with N/A
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n/a
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Part E - Funeral Expenses – do not complete/no longer used
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1. Claims must be signed, include mailing address, dated, and witnessed by two disinterested parties to be considered valid.
2. If claimant has a Power of Attorney/attorney in fact please see supplemental instructions at the end of this page.
3. If claimant is not a child and is not a US Citizen, please complete IRS Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding. Otherwise, if claimant is not a child and is a US Citizen please complete IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
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Sign & Date where it indicates "signature of claimant." Under your signature provide your mailing address and phone number.
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Enter your name in the witness section where it says "Name(s) of claimant(s)."
Have two witnesses sign their name and enter their address.
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Designated (Estate or Trust)
- Any claims made on behalf of an Estate must be accompanied with a court ordered appointment naming the Executor of the Estate
- Any claims made on behalf of a Trust must be accompanied by a court-ordered appointment naming the Trustee(s) of the Trust and documentation from trust naming trustee(s).
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Part
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Instructions
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Reminder or Tips
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A
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Complete Sections # 1- 6 with information of "Estate of"/Executor or "Trust of"/Trustee and,
Complete Sections # 7-10 with information of the decedent
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Claims made on behalf of an Estate or Trust requires an Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of a Social Security Number.
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B
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Complete with N/A
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n/a
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C
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Complete with N/A
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n/a
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D
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Complete by listing information regarding the Estate or Trust and provide contact information for the executor/trustee or those whose behalf the Executor or Trustee are acting.
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Court appointed documentation is required as proof of your authority
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Part E - Funeral Expenses – do not complete/no longer used
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1. Claims must be signed, include mailing address, dated and witnessed by two disinterested parties to be considered valid.
2. If co-executors/trustees exist, both parties must sign the SF1174 claim form
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Sign & Date your name where it indicates "signature of claimant." Under your signature provide your address and phone number.
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Back to top
Not Designated (Spouse, Children, Parents)
Example of completed form
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Part
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Instructions
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Reminder or Tips
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A
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Complete Sections # 1- 6 with your information and,
Complete Sections # 7-10 with information of the decedent
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If claimant is minor, complete form DD 2790 (available on our Forms webpage)
If claimant does not have a "Social Security Number," please complete IRS Form W-7.
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B
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Respond "Yes" if claimant was married to member at time of death
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n/a
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C
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Complete by listing all Next of Kin information, following the Order of Precedence , until you've reached the relationship which your claim is being made.
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If next of kin do not exist, which take precedence to your relationship, please indicate this.
Example: If you are a parent making claim, then "Spouse - Deceased"
"Children - N/A"
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D
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Complete with N/A
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Part E - Funeral Expenses – do not complete/no longer used
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1. Claims must be signed, include mailing address, dated, and witnessed by two disinterested parties to be considered valid.
2. If claimant has a Power of Attorney/attorney in fact please see instructions at the end of this page.
3. If claimant is not a child and is not a US Citizen please complete IRS Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding. Otherwise, if claimant is not a child and is a US Citizen please complete IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
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Sign & Date where it indicates "signature of claimant." Under your signature provide your address and phone number.
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Enter your name in the witness section where it says "Name(s) of claimant(s)."
Have two witnesses sign their name and enter their address.
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Back to top
Not Designated (Estate)
Any claims made on behalf of an Estate must be accompanied with a court- ordered appointment naming the Executor of the Estate
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Part
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Instructions
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Reminder or Tips
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A
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Complete Sections # 1- 6 with information of "Estate of"/Executor or and,
Complete Sections # 7-10 with information of the decedent
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Claims made on behalf of an Estate require an Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of a Social Security Number.
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B
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Complete with N/A
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n/a
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C
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Complete by listing all Next of Kin information, following the Order of Precedence , until you've reached the relationship which your claim is being made.
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If next of kin do not exist, which take precedence to your relationship, please indicate this.
Example: If you are a parent making claim, then "Spouse - Deceased"
"Children - N/A"
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D
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Complete by listing information regarding the Estate and provide contact information for the executor or those whose behalf the Executor are acting.
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Court appointed documentation is required as proof of your authority
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Part E - Funeral Expenses – do not complete/no longer used
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1. Claims must be signed, include mailing address, dated, and witnessed by two disinterested parties to be considered valid.
2. If co-executors exist, both parties must sign the SF1174 claim form
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Sign & Date your name where it indicates "signature of claimant." Under your signature provide your address and phone number.
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Back to top
Not Designated (Siblings, Children of Siblings)
Example of completed form
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Part
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Instructions
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Reminder or Tips
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A
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Complete Sections # 1- 6 with your information and,
Complete Sections # 7-10 with information of the decedent
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If claimant is minor, complete form DD 2790 (available on our Forms webpage)
If claimant does not have a "Social Security Number," please complete IRS Form W-7.
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B
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Complete with N/A
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n/a
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C
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Complete by listing all Next of Kin information, following the Order of Precedence , until your reached the relationship which you're claim is being made.
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If next of kin do not exist, which take precedence to your relationship, please indicate this.
Example: If you are a parent making claim, then "Spouse - Deceased"
"Children - N/A"
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D
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Complete by listing information regarding the Estate and provide contact information for the executor or those whose behalf the Executor are acting.
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If you are the court appointed Executor of the estate, please follow instructions for "Not Designated Estate " - as the Estate takes precedence over siblings/children of siblings.
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Part E - Funeral Expenses – do not complete/no longer used
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Sign & Date your name where it indicates "signature of claimant." Under your signature provide your address and phone number.
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1. Claims must be signed, include mailing address, dated, and witnessed by two disinterested parties to be considered valid.
2. If claimant has a Power of Attorney/attorney in fact please see supplemental instructions the end of this document.
3. If claimant is not a child and is not a US Citizen please complete IRS Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding. Otherwise, if claimant is not a child and is a US Citizen please complete IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
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Enter your name in the witness section where it says "Name(s) of claimant(s)."
Have two witnesses sign their name and enter their address.
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Back to top
Supplemental Instructions for Claimant with Special Circumstances
Minor Child or Beneficiary with Legal Guardian (GDN)
- Your claim must be accompanied by a completed copy of DD 2790 (available on our Forms webpage)
- Your form must be signed by your Legal Guardian with their contact information
Beneficiary with a Power of Attorney (POA)
- Your claim must be accompanied by your Power of Attorney paperwork
- Your form must be signed by your Power of attorney with their contact information
Beneficiary with Foreign Address
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Children of retiree's do not need to fill out a citizenship affidavit
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If you do not have a social security number you will need to obtain one from the IRS by completing the
IRS Form W-7 prior to filling out the IRS Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding
Multiple Beneficiaries Using the Same Form
Example of completed form
- Both names and SSN should be provided in PART A
- All beneficiaries should be listed in PART C
- A maximum of two beneficiaries can be used on each form
- Both names should be listed in the witness section
Page last updated Sept 1 2023