Casualty Assistance

We’re sorry for your loss. Though this is a difficult time, it’s crucial to report the death of a military retiree promptly. Please follow the steps below to report the death as soon as possible.

When to Report a Retiree's Death

Please report the retired service member’s death as soon as possible. This will help avoid delay and possible financial hardship to surviving beneficiaries, family members or executors, who will be required to return any unearned military retirement payments. Eligibility for military retired pay ends with the death of the retiree.

What You Need

• Retiree’s name, Social Security Number and date of death
• Death certificate showing cause of death
• Names of retiree’s designated beneficiaries

How to Report a Retiree's Death

1 . Complete a Notification of Death Fast Form. Upon notification, DFAS will stop monthly payments to prevent overpayment. If you need help completing the form, please read the form instructions. If you cannot complete the Notification of Death form, call DFAS at 800-321-1080. Please have the decedent's Social Security Number and the date of death when you call.

2. Within 7-10 business days after reporting the death to DFAS, you should receive a letter containing the following documents:

• SF1174 Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Service
• Annuity account forms and instructions (if the decedent was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan or the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan)

3. Complete the forms you received with your letter and return them with a copy of the retiree’s Death Certificate that includes cause of death to:

DFAS U.S. Military Retired Pay
P.O. box 7130 London, KY 40742-7130
Fax: 800-469-6559

If you need assistance completing your claim forms, please call 800-321-1080.

Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800.772.1213.
Notify the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) at 800.538.9552.
IF the member was receiving disability compensation or Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC), notify the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) at 800.827.1000
IF the member was a civil servant or retired civil servant, notify the Office of Personal Management (OPM) toll free at 888.767.6738.
IF the member enrolled in DVA-sponsored insurance such as National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) or Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), notify them at 800.669.8477.

If you live near a military installation you may be able to receive help with a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) or Retired Activities/Affairs Officer (RAO). Please note that these services are not available at all military installations.

Other Resources

How To Gererate a Black Boarder
Survivors Guide
Paid-up Survivor Benefits Plan
Other Agencies You Should Contact
Apply for Survivor Benefit Plan Annuity
Apply for Arrears of Pay
National Cemeteries
Tricare Dental Program Survivor Benefit Plan

Call 24/7/365

800.511.6944

Anonymous - Confidential

Contacts

Survivor Outreach Services
(website)

Tim Maciejewski
503-309-3334
timothy.a.maciejewski.mil
@mail.mil

James "Rick" Richards
503-309-4251
james.r.richards40.ctr@mail.mil

Social Security Administration
800-772-1213

Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
800-538-9552

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
800-827-1000
(if the retiree received disability compensation)

Office of Personnel Management
888-767-6738
(if the military retiree also was a current or retired federal civilian employee)

VA
800-669-8477
(if the retiree was enrolled in a VA-sponsored life insurance policy, such as Veterans' Group Life Insurance or National Service Life Insurance)

Office of Service member's Group Life Insurance
800-419-1473
(if the retiree was enrolled in Service member's Group Life Insurance)