Did your spouse die before he or she turned 60 years old and before reaching the age to apply for retirement with pay? Are you confused about what death benefit you might be eligible for, and how to apply for it?

Let’s take this step by step to explain Reserve Component-Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) eligibility. If you can find your loved one’s notice of eligibility letter (20-year letter), it will outline what was selected at the 20-year mark in your spouse’s career. If the “immediate” annuity was selected, it is known as Option C (DD2656-5) and you are immediately entitled to your spouse’s RCSBP. Option B is a deferred annuity; the annuity is deferred to your spouse’s eligible age of 60 if he or she were alive today. Option A is when one declines election and the surviving spouse will not have any RCSBP.

[FOR PREMIUM AND LIFE MEMBERS: Guard and Reserve Retirement Guide]

If you are unable to locate the 20-year letter, call the appropriate service casualty office and report your spouse’s passing, and they can help you. Find more contact information online at these sites:

• Army Reserve: http://www.hrc.army.mil/
• Air Force Reserve: http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/
• Navy Reserve: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Reserve-Personnel-Mgmt/Reserve-Retirements/
• Marine Corps Reserve: http://www.marforres.marines.mil/
• Coast Guard Reserve: http://reserve.uscg.mil/

For example, a surviving spouse of a Navy servicemember who was a gray-area reservist should call (833) 330-6622 and report the passing of your loved one. Mail a request for death benefits, along with an original death certificate, to:

Navy Personnel Command

ATTN: PERS-912E 5720

Integrity Dr. Bldg. 768

Millington, TN 38055

If your spouse reached the 20-year mark and was eligible for retirement (regardless of branch), you will need to call the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at (800) 321-1080 to report the death.

There are various types of coverages for RCSBP, such as spouse-only; spouse and child(ren); child(ren) only; former spouse; former spouse and child(ren); and natural interest person (insurable interest).

If you are eligible for RCSBP, you have only six years from the date of your spouse’s death to apply for the annuity or the annuity might be denied.

Find more details on the process at this link.