APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, cancellation of participation in the Survivor benefit Plan (SBP). 

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that the premiums were excessive.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant’s military records show that he remarried on
7 March 1993.  On 1 November 1994, the applicant elected SBP participation for spouse only.  Because the applicant failed to take action required by federal law to enroll his current spouse within 1 year of marriage, he was assessed an additional monthly cost for this coverage.

On 5 September 1995, the applicant appealed to this Board for correction of his military record.

Public Law 92-425, the SBP, enacted 21 September 1972, provided those military members on active duty could elect to have their retired pay reduced to provide for an annuity after death to surviving dependents.  Military members who were retired before 21 September 1972 had until 20 September 1974 to apply for coverage under the SBP. 

Public Law 99-145, dated 8 November 1985 (effective 1 March 1986), permitted that a previously participating retiree upon remarriage may elect not to resume spouse coverage. Upon being notified of the remarriage, the Retired Pay Center provides information to the retiree regarding his/her SBP options.  The retiree must make written request within 
1 year of the remarriage if he/she desires not to enroll his second spouse, at which time the Pay Center notifies the spouse.    

Army Echoes, the quarterly Army retiree bulletin, publishes reminders in each issue that Army retirees are responsible to inform the Pay Center of changes in family/martial status.  This information is also available by contacting any Army Retirement Service Officer (RSO), located at major military installations.  
In the processing of this case, a staff advisory opinion was obtained from the SBP board.  The board recommended that the applicant request be disapproved. 

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, and advisory opinion(s), it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

2.  The evidence of record clearly shows that the applicant remarried on 7 March 1993, however he did not elect SBP coverage for his current spouse until 1 November 1994.  Because of his failure to take the action required by federal law to enroll the spouse he first acquired following retirement within one year of marriage, the applicant was correctly assessed an additional monthly cost for SBP coverage.  

3.  The enrollment of his current spouse, and the debt which accrued, is the result of his failure to timely notify the appropriate agency of his remarriage.  Therefore, no government error exists.    

4.  The “Army Echoes” repeats in each issue that soldiers are responsible to keep the Pay Center informed of all changes in marital status.

5.  The applicant has submitted neither probative evidence nor a convincing argument in support of the request.

6.  Therefore, in view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT          

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




						Karl F. Schneider
						Acting Director