MNG-040 · SEPARATION & RETIREMENT
Survivor Benefit Plan Election
Understand SBP beneficiary categories, base amount, premiums, spouse concurrence, DD Form 2656, and post-retirement change limits.
Election at retirement
DoD currently states that full basic spouse-and-child SBP coverage is automatic when a married member with eligible children makes no other valid election. A member generally may not decline or reduce spouse coverage below full coverage without the spouse’s written concurrence.
Decision points
- Beneficiary category: spouse, spouse/children, children only, former spouse, or other permitted category
- Base amount and resulting annuity/premium
- Required spouse concurrence and notarization where applicable
- Court orders or former-spouse obligations
- Arrears-of-pay beneficiary, which is separate from SBP
DD Form 2656 carries the initial retired-pay and SBP election data. DFAS warns that invalid, late, or incomplete elections can result in automatic coverage. Preserve the signed form, concurrence, counseling record, and retirement orders.
After retirement
SBP elections are generally difficult to change after retirement except in defined circumstances such as marriage, divorce, death of a beneficiary, or other statutory windows. Calendar any one-year marriage/divorce election period immediately when a life event occurs.
Official sources
Source status: SRC-099; SRC-100; SRC-095 verified October 4, 2026. Individual eligibility and tax consequences can differ; use the current program decision and account record.
