An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

Defense Finance and Accounting Service Providing payment services for the U.S. Department of Defense

Search
Search

Search

              - 
              - 
              - 
              - 
              - 

-  Military Member		 
-  Retired Military & Annuitant		 
-  Civilian Employee		 
-  Contractor & Vendor		 

HomeRetiredMilitarysurvivorsmanage

#### **Quick ToolsaskDFAS****Forms Library****  ****Frequently Asked Questions**

#### **Customer Service**

**800-321-1080**M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

                        - Quick Tools
                        - News and Events                            - News
                          - Upcoming Retiree Events
                          - Retiree Newsletter
                          - Retiree Newsletter Archive
                          - Survivor SBP Newsletter
                        - About R&A Pay                            - Who We Are, What We Do
                          - How Long Does It Take?
                          - Who Should I Contact: DFAS, the VA or the Military?
                        - Plan for Retirement                            - Types of Retirement
                          - Eligibility
                          - Recall to Active Duty
                          - Estimate Your Pay
                          - Separation Payments
                        - Apply for Retirement                            - How to Apply
                          - Transfer Allotments
                          - Receiving Your Pay
                        - Managing Your Retirement                            - Pay Schedule
                          - Change of Address
                          - Direct Deposit
                          - International Direct Deposit
                          - Using myPay
                          - Retiree Account Statement
                          - Allotments
                          - Pay Verification
                          - Taxes
                          - Powers of Attorney/Third Party Representatives for Retirees
                        - Gray Area Retirees
                        - Disability Entitlements                            - Disability Retirement
                          - CRSC and CRDP Payment
                          - Combat Related Special Compensation
                          - Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay
                          - Comparing CRSC and CRDP
                          - Applying for CRSC
                          - VA Waiver and Retired Pay
                          - CRDP CRSC FAQs
                        - Provide for Loved Ones                            - Two Ways to Prepare
                          - Survivor Benefit Plan
                          - Arrears of Pay
                          - Reserve Component SBP
                          - Secondary Dependency
                          - Branch Contact Information
                        - Survivors and Beneficiaries                            - Report a Retiree's Death
                          - Start an SBP Annuity
                          - Manage Your SBP Annuity
                          - SBP-DIC News
                          - SBP2023 Optional Child Annuity Reversion
                          - Understanding SBP, DIC and SSIA
                          - School Certifications
                          - Powers of Attorney/Third Party Representatives for Annuitants
                          - Starting SBP for Gray-Area Reservist
                          - Report SBP Annuitant's Death
                          - Survivor Benefit and Arrears of Pay Frequently Asked Questions
                          - DFAS Survivor SBP Newsletter
                        - Secondary Dependency
                        - SBP Open Season NDAA2023

# **Manage Your SBP Annuity**

##### The Survivor Benefit Plan provides an ongoing monthly annuity payment to military spouses or children when a military member dies while on active duty, on inactive duty, or after retirement (if the retiree chooses to purchase coverage).*

*****************************

**Please see our Survivor SBP Newsletter for the latest news and information. We have a helpful guide to assist in navigating the use of the online tools available for SBP annuitants. Click here to download the pdf guide for annuitants.SBP Annuitants and Guardians/Legal Representatives of SBP Annuitants: **As of August 2023, we reduced the requirements for SBP annuitants to one annual eligibility verification. Previously, some SBP annuitants needed to complete multiple forms each year. **Now, SBP annuitants only need to complete and submit one of the annual verifications each year. **There is an overview of the eligibility verification requirements for annuitants below. You can **download the DFAS New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants 2023 Fact Sheet** or **download our handy Quick Reference Guide****Please see our SBP-DIC News webpage for news on the SBP-DIC Offset Phased Elimination. Please see our special focus webpage for Active Duty/Line of Duty survivors who chose the SBP optional child annuity.Please see our School Certification page for information on the school certification process.**

----

## **​Services for Annuitants**

                        - Monthly payment of benefit
                        - Implementing changes of address
                        - Implementing changes in Federal Income Tax Withholding
                        - Providing 1099Rs
                        - Establishing  direct deposit  orders
                        - Establishing  international direct deposit  orders
                        - Confirmation of annuity income 

----

### **Manage Your Account with myPay**

The quickest and most convenient way to manage your annuity pay is with **myPay**. This online account management system puts you in control of your own account. You can use **myPay** to view your SBP annuity account detail, including your Annuitant Account Statement, change Direct Deposit information, change your mailing address, and print and view IRS forms, such as the 1099-R.Please note: only annuitants who are current receiving an SBP annuity payment or SSIA pay can use myPay.  

##### **How to Get Started with myPay**

**https://mypay.dfas.mil**

**Here's our handy downloadable "Get Started with myPay" guide**.

----

### **Annuitant Account Statement**

The Annuitant Account Statement (AAS) is available through ****myPay****. For those annuitants who have a hardcopy mail request in their account, it is mailed when changes are made to the account that affect net pay. Use it to verify payment, tax information, and to keep informed about your account.

----

### **Taxes**

When you fill out a **W-4P** and mail or fax it to DFAS Military Annuitant Pay, we will withhold federal income taxes from your annuity payment. Every January, we will issue a 1099-R statement that you will need to complete your tax return. 

##### **1099-R Reissues**

We have easy, convenient options to get a duplicate copy of your 1099-R tax document without having to call and wait on hold to speak to someone:**myPay (https://mypay.dfas.mil)**: Your 1099-R is available much earlier and more securely in myPay than those sent to customers who choose delivery by mail. If you're not using myPay, now is the time to get started. See the myPay section above for how to get started. a**skDFAS online request**: Even if you are not a myPay user, you can get a copy of your 1099-R sent to your mailing address on record or to a one-time, temporary mailing address by **submitting your request online**. We have good news for annuitants who need a duplicate IRS 1099-R mailed to a non-U.S.A. address! Our convenient askDFAS online tool for requesting a duplicate 1099-R will now work for foreign addresses. If you prefer traditional mail, you can send us a written request by mail (or fax), but please make sure you leave ample time for processing and for the mail:Defense Finance and Accounting ServiceU.S. Military Annuitant Pay8899 E 56th StreetIndianapolis IN 46249-1300Annuitant fax: 800-982-8459The **Affordable Care Act 1095-B/C statements** are available in **myPay**. You can also **request a mailed 1095-B/C statements using the askDFAS online tool**. Please note: R&A Pay cannot withhold state taxes for annuitants.

----

### **Continued Eligibility for SBP Annuity Payments**

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuitants need to **verify their eligibility regularly** to continue to receive SBP annuity payments. The requirements depend on the SBP annuitant’s age and relationship to the military service member.As of August 2023, DFAS reduced the requirements for SBP annuitants to **one annual** eligibility verification. Previously, some SBP annuitants needed to complete multiple forms each year. **Now, SBP annuitants only need to complete and submit one of the annual verifications each year.**      We also changed the names of**two** of the annual eligibility verifications, so all names now identify the purpose. Plus, the due dates for the two new verifications are easy to remember: they are due the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.      The three types of annual eligibility verifications are: (1) School Certification; (2) Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update; and (3) Foreign Address Update for Mailed Check.

***D****ownload the DFAS New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants Fact Sheet***** **(Download the New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants 2023 Fact Sheet PDF to read, print or share: right click on the link above and choose "Save link as..." to save to your computer)***Download the DFAS New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants Quick Reference Guide* **(Download the New Simpler Eligibility Verification Requirements for SBP Annuitants 2023 Quick Reference PDF to read, print or share: right click on the link above and choose "Save link as..." to save to your computer)

**Below are the eligibility verification requirements for Survivor Benefit Plan annuitants. They are split into separate sections based on the annuitant's age and relationship to the military service member. ***Click on the category title below to jump to a specific section or scroll down the page to see the requirements for all annuitants:***If you are a Spouse or Former Spouse SBP Annuitant – click hereRequirements for Child SBP Annuitants Under-18 – click hereIf you are a Student Child SBP Annuitant 18-22 - click hereIf caring for an Incapacitated Child Annuitant - click here***  *

##### **Spouse and Former Spouse SBP Annuitants **

###### **New Requirements - Summary**

                        - Spouse and former spouse annuitants  under the age of 55  =  Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU)  due annually  the first day of the month of their birthday.
                        - Spouse and former spouse annuitants  age 55 and over receiving a  paycheck in the mail to a foreign address =  Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter  due annually  the first day of the month of their birthday.
**Overview of New Requirements: Spouse and Former Spouse SBP Annuitants Under the Age of 55 – Annual SBP-MSU****under the age of 55****Overview of New Requirements: Spouse and Former Spouse SBP Annuitants Age 55 and Older Receiving a Paycheck in the Mail to a Foreign Address - FAUMC****Age 55 and Older****paycheck in the mail to a foreign address****Additional Information** https://www.dfas.mil/raforms
*  *

##### **Child SBP Annuitants Under 18**(Not Documented as Incapacitated)

###### **New Requirements - Summary** 

                        - SBP Child Annuitants  ages 14 to 17  =  Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU)  due annually  the first of the month of their birthday.
                        - SBP Child Annuitants under 14  receiving a  paycheck in the mail to a foreign address =  Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter  due annually  the first of the month of their birthday.

**Overview of New Requirements: SBP Child Annuitants Ages 14-17** (**Not** Documented as Incapacitated)**– Annual SBP-MSU**SBP child Annuitants **ages 14 to 17** who are **not** documented as incapacitated are required to verify annually they are not married. As of August 2023, the annual Certificate of Eligibility (COE) was replaced by the Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU).We mail an SBP-MSU three months prior to the annuitant’s birthday. The legal guardian should return the completed, signed SBP-MSU by the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.SBP child annuitants ages 14 to 17 who receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual ROE/FAUMC verification. The annual SBP-MSU will serve as their sole annual verification.The completed, signed SBP-MSU can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the new askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the SBP-MSU titled “SBP-MSU.”**Overview of New Requirements:****SBP Child Annuitants Under Age 14****Receiving a Paycheck in the Mail to a Foreign Address**(**Not** Documented as Incapacitated)**– FAUMC**SBP Child Annuitants under 14 years old who are **not** documented as incapacitated and receive a **paycheck in the mail to a foreign address** are required to verify annually they are still living and confirm their mailing address, using the Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter.We mail an FAUMC three months prior to the annuitant’s birthday. The legal representative should return the completed, signed FAUMC by the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.The completed, signed FAUMC can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool titled “General SBP Annuitant Documentation.” **Additional Information**We will still accept and process annuitant COEs or ROEs in place of the new SBP-MSU or FAUMC through 2024. If you do not receive an SBP-MSU or FAUMC in the mail and the child annuitant fits the criteria above, you still need to submit the document. If we don’t receive the completed SBP-MSU or FAUMC when due, we will suspend payment until we receive the properly completed document.Please ensure that your mailing address is always up-to-date with DFAS so you can receive important communications. You can also download the SBP-MSU or FAUMC from our Forms webpage: **https://www.dfas.mil/raforms***  *

##### **Student Child SBP Annuitants 18-22**(Not Documented as Incapacitated)

###### **Requirements – Summary (****School Cert Requirements Have Not Changed)****Summary**

                        - Student SBP Child Annuitants  turning 18  = School Certification and Direct Deposit forms due the first of the month of their birthday.
                        - Student SBP Child Annuitants  18-22  = School Certification annually - due the end of their  school  year .

A child's eligibility to receive SBP payments ends when the child turns 18 unless proven to be in school (or incapacitated). If a child annuitant attends school full-time (in high school or at an accredited college or university), the SBP annuity payments can continue until they reach age 22 or otherwise become ineligible.**Overview of Requirements: SBP Child Annuitants Turning Age 18**(**Not** Documented as Incapacitated) **– School Certification**SBP child annuitants between 18 and 22 years old must regularly certify their status as an unmarried, full-time student to continue to receive annuity payments using the DD 2788 School Certification form and Previous Attendance Letter. For high school or college students turning 18, we will mail a School Certification form and Direct Deposit form 60-90 days prior to their 18th birthday. The forms must be filled out and signed by the legal representative and returned to DFAS by the first day of the month of the child annuitant’s 18th birthday.Child SBP annuitants turning 18 who receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual ROE/FAUMC verification. The annual School Certification will serve as their sole annual verification.The completed, signed School Certification and Direct Deposit forms can be mailed, faxed or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the School Certification, titled “School Certification.”**Overview of Requirements: Child SBP Annuitants Age 18-22**(**Not** Documented as Incapacitated)**– School Certification**SBP child annuitants between 18 and 22 years old must regularly certify their status as an unmarried, full-time student to continue to receive annuity payments.For SBP child annuitant college students between 18 and 22 years old once each year, approximately 60 to 90 days prior to the end of your school year, we will mail a DD 2788 School Certification form and Child Annuitant’s Certification for Previous Attendance Letter. These verifications are due the first day of the month their school year ends.For both high school and college student turning 18 and over 18, we will now also use the annual DD 2788 School Certification Form as the annual COE/SBP-MSU instead of sending a separate verification to submit each year. The annual School Certification/Previous Attendance will serve as their sole annual verification.Child SBP annuitants 18-22 who receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual ROE/FAUMC verification. The annual School Certification/Previous Attendance will serve as their sole annual verification.The completed, signed School Certification and Previous Attendance letter can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the School Certification titled “School Certification.”*Note: “Child” refers to the annuitant’s relationship to the member, not the age of the annuitant.***Additional Information**If you do not receive a School Certification  in the mail and you fit the criteria above, you still need to submit the document. If we don’t receive the completed School Certification  when due, we will suspend payment until we receive the properly completed document.Please ensure that your mailing address is always up-to-date with DFAS so you can receive important communications. You can also download the DD 2788 School Certification form or Form Wizard from our Forms webpage: **https://www.dfas.mil/raforms***  *

##### **Child Annuitants Documented as Incapacitated**

###### **New Requirements - Summary** 

                        - Child SBP Annuitants Documented as Incapacitated  age 14 and over  =  Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU)  due annually  the first of the month of their birthday.
                        - Child SBP Annuitants under 14 Documented as Incapacitated and receiving a  paycheck in the mail  to a foreign address -  Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter  due annually  the first of the month of their birthday.

**IMPORTANT**          For child annuitants documented as incapacitated, the eligibility verification must be **signed and submitted by the legal representative**. “Child” refers to the annuitant’s relationship to the member, not the age of the annuitant.**Overview of New Requirements: Child SBP Annuitants Age 14 and Over and****Documented as Incapacitated****– Annual SBP-MSU**Child SBP Annuitants **ages 14 and over** who are documented as incapacitated are required to verify annually they are not married.As of August 2023, the annual Certificate of Eligibility (COE) was replaced by the Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU).Child SBP annuitants ages 14 and over who are documented as incapacitated and receive a paycheck in the mail to a foreign address are no longer required to submit the additional annual ROE/FAUMC verification. The annual SBP-MSU serves as their sole annual verification.The completed, signed SBP-MSU can be mailed, faxed, or uploaded to the new askDFAS online upload tool specifically for the SBP-MSU, titled “SBP-MSU.”**Overview of New Requirements:****Child SBP Annuitants Under Age 14****Documented as Incapacitated****and Receiving a Paycheck in the Mail to a Foreign Address – FAUMC**Child SBP Annuitants under 14 years old who are documented as incapacitated and receive a **paycheck in the mail to a foreign address** are required to verify annually they are still living and confirm their mailing address, using the Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter.We mail an FAUMC three months prior to the annuitant’s birthday. The legal representative should return the completed, signed FAUMC by the first day of the month of the annuitant’s birthday.The completed, signed FAUMC can be mailed, faxed or uploaded to the askDFAS online upload tool, titled “General SBP Annuitant Documentation.” **Additional Information**We will still accept and process annuitant COEs or ROEs in place of the new SBP-MSU or FAUMC through 2024. If you do not receive an SBP-MSU in the mail and you fit the criteria above, you still need to submit the document. If we don’t receive the completed SBP-MSU when due, we will suspend payment until we receive the properly completed document.Please ensure that your mailing address is always up-to-date with DFAS so you can receive important communications. You can also download the SBP-MSU from our Forms webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raforms 

----

##### **How Remarriage May Impact a Spouse SBP Annuity**

##### Surviving spouses maintain their eligibility for SBP until death, as long as they do not remarry before the age of 55. If the annuitant remarries before age 55, annuity payments will stop.

##### However, if the marriage of a spouse annuitant (who remarried before age 55) later ends for any reason, their eligibility for the annuity is reinstated, effective on the first day of the month the marriage ends. The annuity payments will be restarted, **once DFAS has received and processed the notification and documents**. 

##### If DIC payments stop and the spouse's SBP payment was previously reduced or eliminated because of DIC, the full SBP payment may resume. 

##### Spouse annuitants who remarry after age 55 are entitled to receive full SBP and DIC benefits at the same time. This is the result of a 2009 court** decision. According to the ruling, DFAS is not required to offset DIC payments from a monthly SBP annuity if a spouse is entitled to both benefits and has remarried after age 55.

##### **How to Notify DFAS of a Change in Marital Status**

##### Annuitants are responsible for notifying DFAS of any changes to their marital status.

##### To notify us of a remarriage prior to age 55, please complete the following form and mail or fax it with a copy of your marriage certificate to **DFAS U.S. Military Annuitant Pay**:

##### 1. **SBP-MSU** (Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update)

##### To notify us of a remarriage after age 55, please complete the following forms and mail or fax to **DFAS U.S. Military Annuitant Pay**:

##### 1. **DD 2656-7** (Verification for Survivor Annuity)

##### 2. **IRS W-4P** (Withholding for Pension or Annuity Payments) 

##### 3. **Direct Deposit start-up form** 

##### To notify us of a marriage termination to restart an SBP annuity, please complete the following forms and mail or fax to **DFAS U.S. Military Annuitant Pay**:

##### 1. **DD 2656-7** (Verification for Survivor Annuity)

##### 2. **IRS W-4P** (Withholding for Pension or Annuity Payments)

##### 3. **Direct Deposit start-up form** 

##### *Note: The information on this website is provided to explain typical situations regarding retiree and annuitant benefits. For details and exceptions, please see applicable laws, financial management regulations, and instructions.

##### Page last updated Mch 12, 2024

### Stay Connected

Department of Defense     Department of Veterans Affairs     Military Employment Verification     Warrior Care Website     Defense Contract Mgmt Agency  DoD Forms     Department of State     Civilian Personnel Mgmt Service     DTS Travel Center     System for Award Mgmt (SAM)    Congressional/LegislationPersonnel Force Innovation     Freedom of Information Act     DFAS Hotline   Contact Us     Accessibility / Section 508    EEO / No Fear Act  

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil