Dear Readers, Last month I urged you to check beneficiaries on all your assets. Continuing on paperwork readiness, I am offering some more advice. Since we are reviewing wills…. If you receive an SBP annuity, print the information that follows and file it with your will. Your family, attorney or personal representative will be grateful.
Report a SBP Annuitant’s Death
Eligibility for a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity ends with the death of the annuitant. Prompt reporting of the annuitant’s death can help avoid delay in the final settlement of the annuity. All outstanding checks or direct deposits must be returned to DFAS before a settlement of arrears of annuity may be made.
Entitlement to the 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.
Please follow the steps below to report the death of an annuitant:
Step 1 Call 800-321-1080 to report the death of an annuitant.
Step 2 Send a copy of the annuitant’s death certificate showing cause of death to:
DFAS US Military Annuitant
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300
FAX 800-982-8459
Step 3 Inform the financial institution receiving payments about the death of the annuitant.
In addition to notifying DFAS, you should also notify the following agencies/departments as soon as possible.
Contact List
Social Security Administration 800-772-1213
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) 800-538-9552
Department of Veterans Affairs 800-827-1000 for annuitants receiving DIC (Dependency Indemnity Compensation)
