When a military retiree dies
The steps for the family, in the order they matter.
Don’t spend a deposit that arrives after the death. DFAS reclaims the whole payment from the bank, then pays the prorated final amount separately.
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1. The first week
- Get several certified death certificates that show the cause or manner of death. DFAS needs one with each claim.
- Report the death to DFAS by phone or through askDFAS. This stops retired pay so it doesn’t create a debt.
- Report it to the VA if the retiree received disability compensation, for the same reason.
- Notify Social Security. A surviving spouse may qualify for survivor benefits and a one-time $255 payment.
- Watch the mail. DFAS sends a condolence packet, generally within a week, to the arrears of pay beneficiary. It contains the claim forms.
2. The final retired pay
Retired pay is paid in arrears — the deposit on the first of the month is for the month before — and it ends on the date of death. That creates a timing surprise.
| What happens | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| A deposit lands after the death | DFAS reclaims all of it from the bank |
| You file SF 1174 | DFAS pays the prorated amount through the date of death |
| Who is paid | The arrears of pay beneficiary on file with DFAS — not whoever the will names |
SF 1174 must be signed by the claimant and two witnesses, and sent with a death certificate. If no beneficiary was named, DFAS follows the order set by law, which takes longer.
3. Claiming the SBP annuity
If the retiree was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan, the spouse or eligible children claim it on DD Form 2656-7, with a death certificate and the documents DFAS lists for your case, such as a marriage certificate. Add a direct-deposit form and a withholding form, since SBP is taxable.
- Timing: DFAS generally processes the first payment within about 60 days of a complete claim, retroactive to the day after death.
- SBP and VA DIC: if the death was service-connected, the spouse may also get VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. Since 2023 both are paid in full. See the DIC guide.
- Guard and Reserve: for a retiree who wasn’t yet drawing pay, the Reserve Component SBP depends on the option elected. See Guard and Reserve retirement at 60.
How SBP was chosen and what it pays is covered in whether SBP is worth it.
4. TRICARE, ID cards and VA benefits
- TRICARE: a surviving spouse generally stays eligible unless they remarry. See TRICARE for life.
- DEERS and ID card: update the survivor’s status in DEERS and get a new ID card at a military ID card office.
- VA burial and survivor benefits: burial allowances, a headstone and DIC are claimed from the VA. Warrior Disability covers them in detail: survivor benefits, DIC and burial. If a VA disability claim was still pending when they died, a survivor can often continue it: when a veteran dies mid-claim.
A FERS or CSRS survivor annuity is claimed separately, from OPM. See the first year after losing a spouse.
5. Frequently asked questions
Who do I notify first when a military retiree dies?
Report the death to DFAS so retired pay stops. If the retiree received VA disability compensation, report it to the VA as well, and notify Social Security. DFAS then mails a condolence packet with the forms to claim the final pay and, if the retiree was enrolled, the Survivor Benefit Plan annuity.
What happens to the retired pay deposited after the death?
Retired pay ends on the date of death. If a payment was deposited after the retiree died, DFAS asks the bank to reclaim the entire payment. DFAS then pays the prorated amount owed for the final month to the arrears of pay beneficiary, once the claim form is filed.
How do I claim the Survivor Benefit Plan annuity?
File DD Form 2656-7, Verification for Survivor Annuity, with a copy of the death certificate and the supporting documents DFAS lists for your situation. DFAS says the first payment is generally processed within about 60 days of receiving a complete claim, and it is retroactive to the day after death.
Who gets the final retired pay?
The arrears of pay beneficiary the retiree designated with DFAS. A will does not change that designation. If no beneficiary was named, DFAS follows the order of precedence set by law, which can delay payment. The claim is made on Standard Form 1174.
Does the surviving spouse keep TRICARE?
Generally yes. A surviving spouse of a military retiree remains eligible for TRICARE unless they remarry. Update the spouse’s status in DEERS and get a new ID card at a military ID card office.