SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN (SBP)

ACTIVE DUTY SBP COVERAGE

SBP coverage is automatic for all active duty members who have an eligible beneficiary. This is a gratuitous benefit - - it doesn't cost the active duty member anything. However, the member's death must be classified in line-of-duty (LOD) in order for an annuity to be payable if the member is not yet retirement eligible (has not accrued 20 years of service) on the date of death.

Spouse Only coverage - This coverage is automatic when an active duty member dies and there is an eligible spouse but no eligible children.  A spouse's SBP annuity is reduced dollar-per-dollar by Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payable by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) because of death while on active duty unless a determination of misconduct is made by the VA (see SBP's Integration with DIC fact sheet).

Spouse and Child(ren) coverage - This coverage is automatic when an active duty member dies and there is an eligible spouse and eligible children.  In this election, the spouse is the primary SBP beneficiary; children are contingent beneficiaries and only receive the annuity if the spouse dies or remarries prior to age 55 and there are children still eligible (see "Eligible Children" in the Child-Only SBP Coverage fact sheet).  Eligible children receive equal shares of the annuity.  While there is an eligible spouse, the annuity is reduced dollar-per-dollar by DIC payable by the VA because of death while on active duty unless a determination of misconduct is made by the VA (see SBP's Integration with DIC fact sheet).  

Child(ren) Only - This coverage is automatic when an active duty member dies and there is an eligible child(ren) but no eligible spouse.  Since 24 Nov 03, an eligible spouse may request the Air Force make a Child Only - Spouse Excluded election if the active duty member dies on or after that date.  In this election, the eligible child(ren) are the only SBP beneficiary(ies).  A child's SBP annuity is not reduced by their entitlement to DIC.

 Insurable Interest - The Air Force can make this election on behalf of a member who dies on active duty provided the member's LOD is yes, there are no eligible spouse or dependent children, and the insurable interest beneficiary was the member's dependent for identification (ID) card purposes at the time of the member's death.   

Provided the LOD is yes, the SBP annuity immediately payable to a spouse or eligible child(ren) is 55 percent of the retired pay entitlement the member would have received if retired with a total disability rating on the date of death.  A spouse's SBP annuity is reduced dollar-per-dollar by DIC payable by the VA because of death while on active duty unless a determination of misconduct is made by the VA (see SBP's Integration with DIC fact sheet).  

Provided the LOD is yes, the SBP annuity payable to an insurable interest beneficiary is 55 percent of the retired pay entitlement the member would have received if retired with a total disability rating on the date of death after the insurable interest cost is subtracted (see Insurable Interest SBP Coverage fact sheet for information on computing the cost).

An annuity may also be payable to a spouse or eligible child(ren) if the member's death is classified not in LOD provided the member has completed 20 years of active duty and is qualified for retirement. In this case the annuity immediately payable to a spouse or eligible child(ren) is 55 percent of the retired pay entitlement the member would receive if retired for years of service on the date of death.  A spouse's SBP annuity is reduced dollar-per-dollar by DIC if approved by the VA (see SBP's Integration with DIC fact sheet).

1.  A former spouse may be paid the SBP annuity if the member was required by a court order or spousal agreement to provide coverage for him/her upon retirement.  Court ordered former spouse coverage precludes payment of an annuity to a current spouse or child(ren).

2.  Supplemental SBP (SSBP) is not applicable to active duty death benefits under the SBP.

Air Force Personnel Center | Randolph AFB, TX 78150