We are sorry for your loss. Although this is a difficult time, it’s crucial to report the death of a military retiree promptly. Please follow the steps below to report the death as soon as possible.
What You Need
- Retiree’s name, social security number and date of death
- Manner of death: natural, suicide, accident, homicide
- Retiree's marital status upon death
- Names and addresses of retiree's designated beneficiaries or next of kin, living and deceased
1 . To report a retiree’s death:
A. Use our convenient askDFAS online form - available online 24/7
OR
B. Call our Customer Care Center at 800-321-1080
Upon notification of death, DFAS will stop monthly payments to prevent overpayment.
2. After reporting the death to DFAS, you should receive a letter containing the following documents:
- SF1174 Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Service - – to claim the retiree’s Arrears of Pay
- Annuity account forms and instructions (if the deceased retiree was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan or the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan)
3. Complete the SF 1174 you received with your letter and submit it with a copy of the retiree’s Death Certificate that includes 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. Send to:
A. Upload a PDF of your completed/signed SF 1174 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
C. OR, fax to: 800-469-6559
Please see the How to Claim a Retiree’s Arrears of Pay Using the SF 1174 page for how-to information and helpful tools for filling out and submitting these documents.
4. If the deceased retiree was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan or the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan, complete the annuity account forms and return them with supporting documentation to:
A. Upload a PDF of your completed/signed DD Form 2656-7 and supporting documents via the askDFAS online upload tool on DFAS.mil
B. OR, mail to:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Annuitant Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis IN 46249-1300
C. OR, fax to: 800-982-8459
Please see the Start an SBP Annuity page for how-to information and helpful tools for filling out and submitting these documents.
When to Report a Retiree's Death
Please report the retired service member’s death as soon as possible. This will help avoid delay and possible financial hardship to surviving beneficiaries, family members or executors, who will be required to return any unearned military retirement payments Eligibility for military retired pay ends with the death of the retiree. Therefore, if a retired pay payment was issued for the month in which the retiree died the bank will be notified to return the payment upon notification of death. The beneficiary of the AOP may be due a prorated amount for the month of death. Never return money yourself unless specifically asked to.
Additional tips to assist you in making your claim
- When requesting the deceased retiree’s 1099-R, please submit a copy of the certificate of death (COD). The 1099-R cannot be issued until the date of death (DOD) is confirmed.
- Please see the How to Claim a Retiree’s Arrears of Pay Using the SF 1174 page for how-to information and helpful tools for filling out and submitting the SF 1174.
- Please see the Start an SBP Annuity page for how-to information and helpful tools for filling out and submitting the DD Form 2656-7.
Related Links:
Other Agencies You Should Contact
Apply for Survivor Benefit Plan Annuity
How to Claim a Retiree’s Arrears of Pay Using the SF 1174
How Long Does It Take?
Page last updated February 17, 2023