Entitlement to SBP annuity pay ends on the last day of the month prior to the SBP annuitant's death. Prompt reporting of the annuitant's death can help avoid overpayment.
All outstanding checks or direct deposits must be returned to DFAS before a settlement of Arrears of Annuity (AOA) can be made and the account finalized. Please note that AOA payments are not common. Generally, the only situations where an AOA payment may be due are: (1) the SBP annuitant’s account was not established prior to the date of death, or (2) the SBP annuitant’s account was suspended at the time of death.
Please follow the steps below to report the death of a SBP annuitant.
We also have a helpful "When a SBP Annuitant Dies" Checklist you can download and follow as you complete the steps below.
A. Complete the online askDFAS SBP Annuitant Notification of Death form (available 24/7).
OR
B. Call 800-321-1080 to report the death of the SBP annuitant.
When you call, please provide your name, address, and other contact information to the representative. DFAS may contact you again in the event we need to follow up with you.
DFAS strongly encourages you to use the online askDFAS form to notify us promptly of a SBP annuitant’s death. If you have any difficulty using the askDFAS online form, please call our Customer Care Center at the phone number above.
In addition, please submit a copy of the SBP annuitant’s death certificate showing cause and/or manner of death using one of the following options:
A. Upload a PDF of the document using the askDFAS online upload tool on DFAS.mil
B. OR, mail to:
DFAS - U.S. Military Annuitant Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300
C. OR, Fax to: 800-982-8459
Please ensure both the SBP annuitant’s and the deceased member’s names and Social Security Numbers are also written at the top of the death certificate to ensure proper routing. Following a complete audit of the SBP annuitant’s account, DFAS will determine if any funds are owed.
If funds may be owed, Arrears of Annuity (AOA) paperwork will be sent to the SBP annuitant’s representative or next of kin, if known. Otherwise, we will mail the paperwork to the SBP annuitant’s last known address. The paperwork will include a SF1174 Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Service form, to claim the AOA. AOA is distributed in accordance with the federally-mandated Order of Precedence upon receipt of a proper SF1174 claim form for any eligible beneficiary/beneficiaries. For additional assistance on applying for AOA, please see the Apply for Arrears of Annuity webpage.
DFAS also recommends that you notify other agencies that may be providing payments or benefits, such as:
Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System at 800-538-9552.
Department of Veterans Affairs at 800-827-1000
Related Link:
Apply for Arrears of Annuity
Page Updated Sep 19 2024