MNG-061 · DEATH, FAMILY & SURVIVORS
Survivor Benefit Plan Annuity
Start and maintain an SBP survivor annuity using DD Form 2656-7, eligibility records, tax/direct deposit forms, remarriage rules, and annual certifications.
Start the annuity
- Obtain the retirement/SBP election record and identify the beneficiary category.
- Report the member’s death through the appropriate service/DFAS channel.
- Complete DD Form 2656-7 and the required direct-deposit/tax forms and supporting documents.
- Preserve the DFAS account-establishment letter, annuity computation and tax records.
Maintain eligibility
DFAS now generally uses one annual eligibility verification for affected annuitants. Child annuitants over 18 who depend on full-time school status must complete the required school certification. Spouse/former-spouse annuitants can have remarriage-related consequences; federal law generally terminates a spouse annuity on remarriage before age 55, subject to reinstatement rules if that later marriage ends.
Keep DFAS, DEERS and VA contact and status records synchronized, but remember that each agency maintains its own account.
Official sources
- DFAS — Start an SBP Annuity
- DFAS — Annual Eligibility Verifications
- 10 U.S.C. § 1450 — SBP beneficiaries
Source status: SRC-145; SRC-146; AUTH-022 verified October 4, 2026. Survivor eligibility depends on the deceased person’s status, elections, relationship records, dates, and the particular benefit program.
