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AF | BCMR | CY1998 | 9800636
Original file (9800636.pdf) Auto-classification: Approved
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON, DC 

Office of the Assistant Secretary 

AFBCMR 98-00636 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF 

Under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code, Air Force Instruction 

36-2603, and having assured compliance with the provisions of the above regulation, the 
decision of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records is announced, and it is 
directed that: 

- - 

records of the Department of the Air Force relating t 
corrected to show that on 18 September 1993, he electe 
vor Benefit Plan (SBP) based on full retired pay. 

DONNA PITTENGER 
Chief Examiner 
Air Force Board for Correction 
of Military Records 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON, DC 

Office of the Assistant Secretary 

AFBCMR 98-00636 

MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION BEFORE THE AFBCMR 

Having carefully reviewed this application, we agree with the recommendation of the Air 
Force and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has been 
the victim of either an error or an injustice.  Therefore, under the authority delegated in AFI 
36-2603, the applicant's records will be corrected as set forth in the accompanying Memorandum 
for the Chief of Staff signed by the Executive Director of the Board or his designee. 

- -- 

Attachment: 
Ltr, AFPCDPPTR, dtd 9 Jun 98 

D E P A R T M E N T   O F  T H E  AIR  FORCE 

H E A D Q U A R T E R S  A I R   FORCE  P E R S O N N E L  C E N T E R  

R A N D O L P H  AIR  F O R C E  B A S E  T E X A S  

MEMORANDUM FOR AFBCMR 

FROM:  HQ AFPC/DPPTR 

550 C Street West Ste 11 
Randolph AFB TX  781 50-471 3 

SUBJECT:  Application for Correction of Military Records 

Reference: 

--_ 

Reauested Correction:  The applicant is requesting  corrective action that would allow 

him to establish Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage for his wife. 

Basis for Reauest:  The applicant claims he was given incorrect information from the 

SBP counselors at Millington NAS TN and Columbus AFB MS regarding enrolling his new 
spouse into SBP within the one-year period following his marriage. 

Backaround:  A member, who is unmarried at retirement, may elect coverage for a 

newly acquired spouse; however, the election must be made before the first anniversary of the 
marriage. 

Facts:  The applicant was unmarried and declined SBP coverage prior to his 1 Aug  75 

retirement.  He married on 17 Sep 93, but failed to request spouse coverage be established 
before the first anniversary. 

Discussion:  We have no way to determine what information the applicant did or did not 
receive from SBP counselors.  Based upon lack of evidence to the contrary and the applicant's 
continuing efforts to rectify the situation, it is reasonable to conclude he would have taken the 
necessary action to provide coverage had he been aware of theTme restriction to make an 
election. 

-Recommendation:  Although there is no evidence of Air Force errw, to preclude a 

possible injustice, we recommend the member's record be corrected to reflect on 18 Sep 93 he 
elected spouse only SBP coverage based on full retired pay.  Approval should be contingent 
upon the recovery of the costs the member would have paid had he made the election at that 
time. 

PAT PEEK, DAFC 
Chief, Retiree Services Branch 
Directorate of Pers Program Mgt 



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