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AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-00252
Original file (BC-2012-00252.pdf) Auto-classification: Approved
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

  DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-00252 
  COUNSEL:  NONE 
  HEARING DESIRED:  YES 

 
IN THE MATTER OF: 
 
   
 
   
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 
 
His records be corrected to reflect he made a timely election for 
former spouse coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 
 
At the time of his divorce he was not advised that he needed to 
designate his former spouse as his SBP beneficiary. 
 
In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
Divorce Agreement. 
 
The  applicant's  complete  submission,  with  attachment,  is  at 
Exhibit A. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
STATEMENT OF FACTS: 
 
The  applicant  after  becoming  eligible  to  receive  retired  pay 
except for attaining age 60, elected on 19 Sep 88, spouse only 
coverage  under  the  Reserve  Component  Survivor  Benefit  Plan 
(RCSBP),  Option  C,  Immediate  Annuity  (surviving  spouse  will 
receive  the  annuity  payments  immediately  upon  the  death  of  the 
service  member).    The  applicant  retired  on  8  Jul  04  and  began 
receiving retired pay. 
 
The applicant divorced on 27 May 09 and in the Divorce Agreement 
he  agreed  to  maintain  his  former  spouse  as  the  sole  and 
irrevocable beneficiary for the SBP annuity.   
 
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained  in  the  letter  prepared  by  the  appropriate  offices  of 
the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibit B. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
AFRC/DPSIAR  recommends  granting  the  requested  relief.    Although 
the applicant failed to submit a valid election for former spouse 
coverage within the first year following his divorce; he also did 
not  request  the  spouse  coverage  be  terminated  following  their 
divorce, which is indicative of his intent to maintain his former 
spouse as the eligible SBP beneficiary. 
 
The complete AFPC/DPSIAR 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 Mar 12, for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this 
date, no response has been received by this office. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 
 
1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing 
law or regulations. 
 
2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 
 
3.  Sufficient  relevant  evidence  has  been  presented  to 
demonstrate  the  existence  of  an  error  or  injustice.    After  a 
thorough  review  of  the  applicant’s  complete  submission  and  the 
evidence of record, we believe the applicant has been the victim 
of an error or injustice.  In this respect, we note the comments 
by  the  Air  Force  office  of  primary  responsibility  (OPR) 
indicating that while there is no evidence the applicant or his 
former spouse submitted a valid former spouse election within one 
year  of  their  divorce  ,  SBP  premiums  continued  to  be  deducted 
from the applicant’s retired pay and official records continue to 
reflect  the  former  spouse  as  the  eligible  spouse  beneficiary.  
Considering  these  facts  and  that  denial  of  the  applicant’s 
request  would  deprive  the  former  spouse  of  an  asset  awarded  by 
the court, we believe it is in the interest of justice to grant 
the requested relief.  Therefore, we concur with the findings and 
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
and recommend the former service member’s records be corrected to 
the extent indicated below. 
 
4.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not 
been  shown  that  a  personal  appearance  with  or  without  counsel 
will  materially  add  to  our  understanding  of  the  issue(s) 

 

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involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
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 28 May 09, 
he elected former spouse coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan 
(SBP), naming          as the former spouse beneficiary based on 
full retired pay. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
The  following  members  of  the  Board  considered  AFBCMR  Docket 
Number BC-2012-00252 in Executive Session on 25 Oct 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 
 
 
 
 
 
All  members  voted  to  correct  the  records  as  recommended.    The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Jan 12, w/atchs. 
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIAR, dated 1 Mar 12. 
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Mar 12. 

   Panel Chair 
   Member 
   Member 

  
Panel Chair  

 
 

   
   

 
 

 

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