Notifying the DFAS when someone dies
Family member is responsible for notifying the DFAS
OverviewWhen someone dies
DFAS Customer Care Center (Retired and Annuitant Pay)
Phone1-317-212-0551
Toll-Free1-800-321-1080
Mailing Address
DFAS U.S. Military Retired Pay 8899 E 56th Street Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) / Annuity Pay
Phone1-317-212-0551
Toll-Free1-800-321-1080
Fax1-800-982-8459
Mailing Address
DFAS U.S. Military Annuity Pay 8899 E 56th Street Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Death Notification (askDFAS Online Form or Phone)
Phone1-317-212-0551
Toll-Free1-800-321-1080
Timeline
30 to 90 days for SBP annuity after all documentation is received; arrears of pay may take longer
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursPhone: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET; Online form: available 24/7
Verified Apr 2026
When someone dies, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) must be notified. The family member is responsible for notifying the DFAS.
Notification deadline: As soon as possible; retired pay received after death must be returned.
Steps to take
Steps for notifying the DFAS and applying for survivor benefits:
1
Report the retiree's death to DFAS:
- •Online (fastest, available 24/7): Visit https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/Quick-Tools-for-Retirees-SBP-Annuitants-Survivors/ and click "To Report the Death of a Retiree" to submit the askDFAS Notification of Death form
- •By phone: Call DFAS Customer Care Center at 1-800-321-1080 or 1-317-212-0551
- •Have the retiree's Social Security number and date of death ready
2
Return any retired pay received after the date of death. A retiree's entitlement to retired pay ends on the date of death, and DFAS is required to reclaim in full all payments made after that date. If a direct deposit was made after death, contact the bank to return the funds. DFAS will send a debt notification letter for any overpayments. All overpayments must be returned before arrears of pay can be processed.
3
DFAS will mail a condolence letter to the person listed as the Arrears of Pay (AOP) beneficiary, generally within one week of the death report. The letter includes the SF 1174 claim form for arrears of pay.
4
Submit required claim forms:
- •DD Form 2656-7 (Verification for Survivor Annuity) for SBP claims -- mail to DFAS U.S. Military Annuity Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300, or fax to 1-800-982-8459
- •SF 1174 (Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member) for arrears of pay -- mail to DFAS U.S. Military Retired Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200, or fax to 1-800-469-6559
- •Forms can also be uploaded via the askDFAS online upload tool at https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/Retiree-askDFAS-Online-Tools/
- •Form Wizards for both DD 2656-7 and SF 1174 are available through askDFAS online tools to help ensure all fields are completed correctly
- •Include a certified copy of the death certificate (with cause and/or manner of death) with all forms
- •SF 1174 must be signed and dated by the claimant(s), include the claimant's SSN, and be signed by two witnesses
5
Gather and submit supporting documents:
- •Certified copy of the death certificate
- •Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse claims)
- •DD Form 214 or retirement orders
- •Bank account information for direct deposit of SBP annuity
6
Wait for DFAS to process the SBP annuity claim. DFAS will send a notification when the annuity is established. Processing typically takes 30 to 90 days after all required documentation is received.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate (must include cause and/or manner of death)
- Retiree's Social Security number
- DD Form 2656-7 (Verification for Survivor Annuity)
- SF 1174 (Claim for Unpaid Compensation) -- must be signed by claimant and two witnesses
- Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse)
- DD Form 214 or retirement orders
- Bank account information for direct deposit of SBP annuity or arrears of pay
- Claimant's Social Security number
Timeline
30 to 90 days for SBP annuity after all documentation is received; arrears of pay may take longer
Survivor benefits
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Annuity
Monthly annuity paid to the surviving spouse or eligible dependent children of a military retiree who enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan. SBP pays 55% of the retiree's selected base amount. SBP is automatic at retirement unless the spouse consents in writing to reduced or no coverage.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse or eligible dependent children of an SBP-enrolled retiree
Amount: 55% of the retiree's SBP base amount
How to apply: Report the death via askDFAS online form or call 1-800-321-1080. Submit DD Form 2656-7 (Verification for Survivor Annuity) with a certified death certificate. A Form Wizard for DD 2656-7 is available at https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/Retiree-askDFAS-Online-Tools/ to help ensure all fields are completed. Mail to DFAS U.S. Military Annuity Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300, or fax to 1-800-982-8459.
Learn more →Arrears of Pay
Any retired pay earned but not yet paid at the time of death is paid to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary. This includes the final partial month of retired pay from the 1st of the month through the date of death.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse, designated beneficiary, or estate
Amount: Prorated retired pay from the 1st of the month through date of death
How to apply: DFAS mails a condolence letter with the SF 1174 form generally within one week of the death report. Complete and submit SF 1174 (Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member) with a certified death certificate indicating cause and/or manner of death. The death certificate must include cause of death. Upload via askDFAS online upload tool, mail to DFAS U.S. Military Retired Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200, or fax to 1-800-469-6559.
Learn more →Unpaid Retired Pay Balance
If the retiree was owed any back pay, bonuses, or travel reimbursements at the time of death, DFAS pays the balance to eligible survivors or the estate.
Eligibility: Designated beneficiary or estate
Amount: Varies based on amounts owed
How to apply: Contact DFAS at 1-800-321-1080 or submit a request through askDFAS online at https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/Retiree-askDFAS-Online-Tools/
Frequently asked questions
The fastest way is the online askDFAS Notification of Death form, available 24/7 at https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/Quick-Tools-for-Retirees-SBP-Annuitants-Survivors/ (click "To Report the Death of a Retiree"). You can also call DFAS at 1-800-321-1080 or 1-317-212-0551 during business hours. Have the retiree's Social Security number and date of death available.
The Survivor Benefit Plan is a Department of Defense program that provides monthly income to eligible survivors of military retirees. SBP pays 55% of the retiree's selected base amount. Enrollment is automatic at retirement unless the spouse consents to reduced or no coverage. The program is governed by 10 U.S.C. Chapter 73.
Yes. Any retired pay received after the date of death must be returned to DFAS. If payments were made by direct deposit, contact the bank to return the funds. DFAS will send a debt notification letter for any overpayments.
Arrears of pay is the retired pay earned from the first day of the month through the date of death. Retired pay is paid in arrears. DFAS processes arrears of pay after the death is reported and the SF 1174 (Claim for Unpaid Compensation) is submitted with a certified death certificate.
SBP annuity claims typically take 30 to 90 days to process after DFAS receives all required documentation. DFAS may make retroactive payments from the date of death once the claim is approved.
DD Form 2656-7 (Verification for Survivor Annuity) is required for SBP claims. SF 1174 (Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member) is required for arrears of pay. Form Wizards to help complete these forms are available through askDFAS online tools at https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/Retiree-askDFAS-Online-Tools/. Include a certified death certificate with all submissions.
For SBP claims (DD Form 2656-7): mail to DFAS, U.S. Military Annuity Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300, or fax to 1-800-982-8459. For arrears of pay (SF 1174): mail to DFAS, U.S. Military Retired Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200, or fax to 1-800-469-6559.
After completing the notification process, eligible survivors can apply for 3 benefits through the DFAS. Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Keep copies of all documents submitted to the DFAS. Original documents submitted for verification are typically returned after processing.
DFAS Customer Care Center (Retired and Annuitant Pay)
Phone1-317-212-0551
Toll-Free1-800-321-1080
Mailing Address
DFAS U.S. Military Retired Pay 8899 E 56th Street Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) / Annuity Pay
Phone1-317-212-0551
Toll-Free1-800-321-1080
Fax1-800-982-8459
Mailing Address
DFAS U.S. Military Annuity Pay 8899 E 56th Street Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Death Notification (askDFAS Online Form or Phone)
Phone1-317-212-0551
Toll-Free1-800-321-1080
Timeline
30 to 90 days for SBP annuity after all documentation is received; arrears of pay may take longer
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursPhone: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET; Online form: available 24/7
Verified Apr 2026