RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04195 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect he declined Survivor Benefit 
Plan (SBP) coverage for his spouse and son. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He initially elected spouse and child coverage under the SBP, 
but he and his spouse subsequently changed their minds and 
timely notified Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) of 
his election to decline SBP coverage before he retired. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________ ______________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 31 March 2011, the applicant was relieved from active duty 
and retired, effective 1 April 2011, and was credited with 
24 years, 8 months, and 8 days of total active service. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), with is attached at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPFFF recommends approval due to the possibility of an 
administrative error. The applicant elected spouse and child 
SBP coverage based on full retired pay on 29 March 2011. 
However, on 31 March 2011, the day prior to the effective date 
of his retirement, the applicant submitted an SBP election 
change to decline SBP coverage and his wife concurred in his 
election. Although, he declined coverage, DFAS honored his 
initial election for spouse and child SBP coverage and SBP 
premiums were deducted from the applicant’s retired pay. The 


applicant has not provided an explanation as to why it took over 
a year to submit his request for correction. It was clearly his 
intent to decline coverage as evidenced by his subsequent 
election. Therefore, to preclude an injustice, the applicant’s 
record should be corrected to show he declined SBP coverage and 
his wife concurred in his election. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPFFF evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 27 September 2012 for review and comment within 30 
days. As of this date, no response has been received by this 
office (Exhibit D). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations. 

 

2. The application was timely filed. 

 

3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant 
corrective action. We took notice of the applicant’s complete 
submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the 
opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary 
responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for 
our conclusion that the applicant was the victim of an error or 
injustice. Therefore, we recommend that the records be 
corrected as indicated below. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 
31 March 2011, he declined coverage under the Survivor Benefit 
Plan (SBP) and his spouse concurred in the election. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-04195 in Executive Session on 17 June 2013, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 Panel Chair 

 Member 

 Member 

 

All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 September 2012, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPFFF, dated 23 October 2012. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 September 2012. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair