Do you remember your retirement party many years ago? Remember out-processing? Remember your Survivor Benefit Plan briefing?

If you can answer “yes” to at least one of the questions, it is most likely the question about the retirement party.

Many retirees do not remember specifics about SBP coverage. Unfortunately, the Air Force Retiree Services office receives calls almost daily from retired Airmen whose spouse has just passed away, and the SBP coverage needs to be suspended. Air Force SBP counselors advise retirees to send a certified copy of their spouse’s death certificate, along with a brief letter or a completed DD Form 2656-6 (SBP Election Change Certificate), to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Cleveland. The mailing address is: DFAS, U.S. Military Retirement Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis IN, 46249-1200; or via fax to 1-800-469-6559.

Premiums are suspended effective the first day of the month following the month the spouse dies. SBP spouse coverage is not terminated when a spouse dies but is placed in a suspended status pending a possible future marriage.

For retirees who have suspended spouse coverage and later remarry, there are several options available.

For more information, visit the SBP portion of the retiree website at www.retirees.af.mil or call 877-353-6807 and enter a ZIP code. You will be connected to the nearest SBP counselor. The counselor can answer your questions about coverage and SBP options.

By Susie HughesSurvivor Benefit Plan program manager