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AF | BCMR | CY1998 | 9801590
Original file (9801590.pdf) Auto-classification: Approved
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON, DC 

SEP 3 o 

Office of the Assistant Secretary 

AFBCMR 98-01590 

MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION BEFORE THE AFBCMR 

---  """-""- 

. 

--" 

Having carefully reviewed this application, we agree with the 
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
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, HQ AFPC/DPPTR, dtd Sep 14, 1998, 
w/Atch 

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

H E A D Q U A R T E R S  AIR  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  FORCE 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 

Requested Correction:  The applicant, son of the above-named retired member, is 
requesting corrective action that would entitle his mother to a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) 
annuity. 

Basis for Request:  The applicant claims military personnel didn’t properly advise the 

decedent that his election should be changed to “prior spouse” after the divorce. 

Backaround:  A spouse’s eligibility to receive an SBP annuity terminates upon divorce. 

However, the law permits retirees to elect former spouse coverage, but the election change 
must be submitted within one year following the divorce.  If the retiree does not request a 
change to former spouse coverage within a year, former spouse coverage may not be 
established thereafter.  Even though SBP premiums continue to be deducted from retired pay 
following divorce, the former spouse is not entitled to receive the annuity in the event of the 
member‘s death. 

Facts:  The member elected reduced spouse only SBP coverage, reduced annuity, 

prior to his I May 77 retirement.  The parties divorced effective 2 Jun 93, but the divorce 
decree did not address the SBP.  There is no evidence the decedent took the required action 
to change the election, but his record continued to reflect his former spouse’s date of birth as 
the eligible spouse beneficiary and SBP premiums were deducted from his retired pay until his 
death on 4 Sep 97. 

Discussion:  There is no record that the member requested coverage for his former 
spouse be terminated, nor questioned the deduction of SBP premiums from his retired pay, 
each indicative of his willingness to provide her the benefit. 

Recommendation:  Although there is no evidence of Air Force error, we recommend 
n 3 Jun 93, he elected former spouse 
s the former spouse beneficiary. 

that the member‘s record be corre 
coverage, reduced annuity, namin 
Approval should be contingent upon recoupment of appropriate premiums. 

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON, DC 

Office of the Assistant Secretary 

AFBCMR 98-01590 

SEP  3 0  

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF 

Under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States 

Code and 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 i's Qjrected that: 

The pertinent mill 

Force relating t 
corrected to sho 
Benefit Plan (SBP) election from spouse cove 
coverage based on reduced retired pay, namin 

the former spouse beneficiary. j2f+pmlq 

Chief E aminer 
Air Force Board for 
of Military Records 

Correction 



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