Posted on Apr 20, 2015
New Survivor Benefit Policy . . . Who Knew?
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For decades, DFAS had allowed the transfer of SBP benefits to a new spouse if a former spouse died before the retiree. But, in 2013, DFAS --- with no public notice --- changed the way it interprets the law governing SBP. With the change, retirees are no longer automatically allowed to transfer the benefits.
Were you aware of this change?
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/benefits/2015/04/20/dfas-sbp-interpretation-former-spouse/25826965/
Were you aware of this change?
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/benefits/2015/04/20/dfas-sbp-interpretation-former-spouse/25826965/
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Insurance
Retirement Insurance
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 5
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Thank you very much GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad for this post. It made me look up the rules on the DFAS website and realize how stupid I am. I got married just over a year ago so I missed the deadline on adding my spouse. My kids are all over 18 and not in school so they are not eligible and I am outside the small window to stop coverage. I sent them a note to find out if I am totally screwed but from the looks of it I am stuck for the rest of my life paying for coverage that no one can ever use. So not matter how educated you are ignorance can still cost you a lot of money.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
Sorry to hear that LCDR (Join to see) --- it does sound like, in your case, the fact the there was "no public notice" could possibly be blamed for your predicament.
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LCDR (Join to see)
So an update to my situation is that I contacted DFAS and as noted I did not report my new marriage in the allotted time. Even though all my children's birthdays are entered into DEERS they still require a letter from me stating as my beneficiaries they are not eligible for benefits. Sent that off today, I did not need any more insurance anyways I am already worth way more dead then alive. You have to sleep with one eye open when that happens.
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Ex spouses, divorces, court orders, etc have to be accounted for. As I read this there is not a problem if there are no potential other claimants.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
I think my concern revolves around the fact that there was "no public notice" of the change. It's one thing to change the rules ... it's quite another to change the rules and not tell anyone.
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Unbelievable, DOD screwing retired SMs' once again. Some darn office jerk got a lot of brownie points for this!!!!!!
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