Notify the defense finance and accounting service

If you are a retired veteran or receive an annuity, upon notification of death, DFAS will stop monthly payments to prevent overpayment. Depending on your plan, this may also initiate the process for survivor benefits.

Here is the process:

1) Gather information:

• Retiree’s name, Social Security number and date of death

• Manner of death: natural, suicide, accident, homicide

• Retiree's marital status upon death

• Names, address of retiree's designated beneficiaries, or next of kin living and deceased

2) Call DFAS at 800-321-1080 or click here to report the death online:

•  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:

Defense Finance and Accounting Service

U.S. Military Retired Pay

8899 E 56th Street

Indianapolis IN 46249-1200

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