| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mrs. Nancy Amos | Analyst |
| Ms. Karol A. Kennedy | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Ronald E. Blakely | Member | |
| Mr. Thomas E. O’Shaughnessy, Jr. | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That the records of her deceased spouse, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show he enrolled in the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP).
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that she feels certain the FSM would have completed the Survivor Benefit Plan Election Certificate (DD Form 1883).
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The FSM's military records show he was born on 18 August 1941. After having had prior service in the U. S. Navy and U. S. Navy Reserve, he enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve in July 1976.
The FSM received his notification of eligibility for retired pay (his 20-year letter) around 1 April 1994. It cannot be determined if the FSM was married at this time. The record at the U. S. Army Reserve Personnel Command indicates he did not return the DD Form 1883.
The FSM and the applicant married on 29 December 1995. There is no evidence of record to show the FSM requested enrollment in the RCSBP after his marriage. He was transferred to the Retired Reserve effective 12 August 1996. He died on 4 April 2001.
Public Law 95-397, the RCSBP, enacted 30 September 1978, provided a way for those who had qualified for reserve retirement but were not yet age 60 to provide an annuity for their survivors should they die before reaching age 60. Three options are available: (A) elect to decline enrollment and choose at age 60 whether to start SBP participation; (B) elect that a beneficiary receive an annuity if they die before age 60 but delay payment of it until the date of the member’s 60th birthday; (C) elect that a beneficiary receive an annuity immediately upon their death if before age 60. A member must make the election within 90 days of receiving the notification of eligibility to receive retired pay at age 60 or else wait until he/she applies for retired pay and elect to participate in the standard SBP.
Title 10, U. S. Code, section 1448(a)(5) provides that a person who is not married or has no dependent child upon becoming eligible to participate in the SBP but who later marries or acquires a dependent child may elect to participate in the SBP. Such an election must be written, signed by the person making the election, and received by the Secretary concerned within one year after the date on which that person marries or acquires that dependent child.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. It cannot be determined if the FSM was married at the time he received his 20-year letter but the evidence of record shows he failed to elect the RCSBP within 90 days of receiving it. If he was not married at the time he received his 20-year letter, he could have enrolled in the RCSPB to cover his new spouse, the applicant, within one year of their marriage. There is no evidence to show that he attempted to do so. His next opportunity to enroll in the SBP was when he turned age 60. Unfortunately, he died before turning age 60.
2. 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
__kak___ __reb___ __teo___ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001061476 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20011211 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (DENY) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 137.01 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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