**2023 Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Open Season**
Congress has authorized an SBP Open enrollment/disenrollment period beginning December 23, 2022 and ending at midnight eastern standard time January 1, 2024.
Members enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan as of December 22, 2022 are eligible to discontinue participation in the SBP with concurrence of all eligible beneficiaries. Premiums previously paid will not be refunded.
Members entitled to retirement pay as of December 22, 2022 who are not participating in SBP may elect SBP for any type of coverage that member would have been eligible to elect but declined or failed to elect at their first opportunity. This includes eligible members who previously participated in SBP and discontinued participation.
Eligible members already participating in SBP as of December 22, 2022 may not change their SBP base amount or add beneficiaries during the open season.
Eligible members who elect to enroll must pay open enrollment premiums for elected coverage based on the number of years that have elapsed since the member's first opportunity to participate in the SBP. For most members the first opportunity will be the date of retirement, however, under certain circumstances, the date may be different.
Members may pay the one-time, buy-in premium in lump sum payment at the time a member files an election. A portion of the one-time buy-in premium may be deferred and deducted from retired pay in 12 equal monthly installments beginning immediately following the effective date of the election. The amount deferred may not exceed the total net retired pay the member expects to receive over this period.
The “Letter of Intent to Enroll”, “Discontinuance (Provisional)” and additional information on the 2023 SBP Open Season can be found at https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/provide/sbp/SBP-Open-Season-NDAA2023/.
2023 SBP Open Season Guidance (Signed)
****
The Survivor Support and Entitlements (SS&E) Branch is responsible for the oversight and administration of various casualty assistance related programs, one of which is the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Program.
The SBP annuity is a taxable monthly payment made by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Cleveland Center (DFAS-CL) to eligible beneficiaries of deceased military retirees, active duty servicemembers, and certain reserve component servicemembers.
Protection under the SBP is not automatic; as military retirees are required to elect coverage "prior" to retirement and pay monthly premiums. Death of an active duty member, and certain reserve component servicemembers, are qualified for coverage if they are found in the line of duty; excluding those who are otherwise retirement eligible.
The annuity paid to a surviving spouse or eligible child is 55 percent of the base amount elected by a retiree, or the projected retired pay on the date of death of an active duty or eligible reserve component servicemember.
In active duty and certain reserve component death cases, an assigned CACO will assist eligible beneficiaries to meet with their local VA and Social Security Administration representatives, who will assist in the completion and filing of required claim forms.
The SS&E Branch assists retired Sailors with their SBP coverage via the administrative error correction process along with advisory opinions to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR).
SBP Tools - To assist retiring Sailors in making an informed decision regarding participation in the SBP program, visit one or both of the following websites for up-to-date information:
SBP FACTS - http://militarypay.defense.gov/Benefits/Survivor-Benefit-Program
DOD Office of the Actuary - http://actuary.defense.gov
SBP CALCULATOR 2023.xlsx
The SS&E Branch may be contacted regarding SBP and DIC Matters:
Monday thru Friday
0730-1600 Central Time
TOLL FREE: 1-877-270-2162
EMAIL: MILL_SBP-LOD@navy.mil