How to Report a Retiree's Death

• Prompt reporting of a death is important to avoid overpayment.

• Retired pay ends on the date of death of the retiree. You can report a retire’s death using our online form or by calling our Customer Care Center, or via fax or mail.

• Filling out the online askDFAS Notification of Death form is the quickest and most convenient option. It’s available 24/7. To use the online askDFAS Notification of Death form, visit our Quick Tools webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raquicktools, then click on "To Report the Death of a Retiree."

• To contact our Customer Care Center, call toll-free: 1-800-321-1080 or 1-317-212-0551 (during business hours M-F, Eastern Time). Fax to: 1-800-469-6559 OR Mail to: Defense Finance and Accounting Service, U.S. Military Retired Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis IN 46249-1200
   

What Happens When DFAS Receives Notification of Death Upon notification of death

• We will send a condolence letter with instructions for claiming the retire’s final pay. If the retiree was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) we will also send the forms to claim SBP annuity payments.
• DFAS will stop monthly payments upon notification of death to prevent overpayment. Because retired pay ends on the date of death, if a payment was made after the date of the retire’s death, we are required to notify the bank to reclaim the entire payment.
• Once we receive the paperwork to claim a retire’s pay, we can calculate and pay the retire’s final pro-rated payment
• You can download forms from our Forms Library webpage at https://www.dfas.mil/raforms and submit them without waiting for the mail.
• Please see the How to Claim a AOP Using the SF 1174 webpage at https://www.dfas.mil/retireeaop for how-to information and helpful tools for completing these documents, including our helpful Form Wizard, which guides you through completing the form correctly and easily.

Other important phone numbers:

• Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov
• Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System: 1-800-538-9552
• Department of Veterans Affairs: 1-800-827-1000 (annuitants in receipt of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) www.va.gov

IN CRISIS - Reach out to the VA

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with the VA caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

Call 800-273-8255 & select 1 

TEXT 838255

Start a confidential chat

Call TTY if you have hearing loss 800-799-4889

Get additional resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net

Veteran Administration Loans

A VA loan is an incredible benefit for veterans or active duty service members. Unfortunately, many people who are eligible to receive this benefit aren’t aware they qualify, and most of those who aren’t aware are found in the Reserve and National Guard. Reservists and National Guard members are entitled to the same VA loan benefits as those in regular military service, with slight exception. It’s important to help these servicemen and women understand their eligibility requirements so that they too can take advantage of the benefits a VA mortgage has to offer.

In a nutshell, a VA loan is a mortgage issued by approved lenders that’s guaranteed by the federal government. It allows eligible service members and veterans to either refinance up to 100% of their home or buy a new home with no money down. Members of the National Guard or Reserve may qualify for a VA loan if they meet one of the following qualifications:

• Served six years in selected reserve and were either

  • honorably discharged
  • Retired         
  • Transferred to Standby Reserve, or an element of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve, after honorable service
  • Served in the Selected Reserve for more than six years
  • Served in active duty for more than 90 days during a wartime period
  • Discharged or released from active duty for a service-related disability 

Once eligibility is determined, the Reservist or National Guard member must obtain their Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The COE can be obtained through their mortgage lender as long as they have proper proof of service. If necessary, VA Form 26-1880 can be submitted to the Atlanta Regional Loan Center online or by mail.

The main difference for Reservists and National Guard members seeking a VA loan can be found in the funding fee, or the cost associated with obtaining a VA loan that helps ensure that the loan continues to require no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance.