Military Survivor Benefit Plan Questions

What is a survivor benefit plan?

A survivor benefit plan, or SBP, is a financial planning option that is often offered to individuals who serve in some branch of military service. Essentially, this type of plan helps to ensure that the spouse of a deceased military retiree continues to receive financial support for the remainder of his or her life. In situations where the retiree does not have a spouse, children may be designated to receive the benefits. For military retirees who do not have immediate family, the beneficiary of the survivor benefit plan can often be a close friend or even a business partner.

The exact structure of a survivor benefit plan may vary based on the nation or branch of the military that provides this type of benefit for its members. While there are differences, there are also a number of benefits found in just about any version of this plan. For example, this type of plan is often offered in addition to regular retirement benefits that have been issued. You can ask a Military lawyer on JustAnswer if you have questions regarding survivor benefit social security or survivor benefit plans from the military.

If someone receives social security survivor benefit from a death and remarries, is that considered a federal offense?

In some cases, remarrying does not stop the beneficiary from getting the benefits. Normally the receiver cannot get the benefits in the event of a remarriage before the age of sixty. If the beneficiary is disabled, this age would usually be fifty. However, if the person does decide to remarry after the age of sixty, this usually does not stop the benefit payments depending on the work done by the receiver’s former spouse.

In Pennsylvania, can a child’s survivor benefit be garnished?

In most situations it cannot be, because all Social Security benefits, RRB, government civilian, military, all disability and some private pensions are not subject to creditor action. States establish exemption laws; therefore some private pension plans are not fully protected by federal law and can be subject to creditor garnishment. All such benefits should be held in a separate account and made by automatic deposit. Exempted income should never be commingled with other funds, as this can result in a bank account being "frozen" by the court until an assessment is made as to what percentage of the funds are exempt from garnishment.

How many SBP options can one take when retiring from the military

When you retire, you may be able to elect any of the several Survivor Benefit Plan options. SBP elections cannot be canceled or changed after retirement, except in specific instances such as a change in your marital status or after the loss of a beneficiary. At retirement, full basic SBP for spouse and children will take effect automatically if you make no other valid election. You may not reduce or decline spouse coverage without your spouse's written consent. If you have a former spouse, it may affect your options.

Who can be covered by the SBP for Insurable Interest

The insurable interest option is normally available only if you are unmarried with either no dependent children or one dependent child. You may elect insurable interest coverage for that child regardless of the child's age or dependency. The following people can be covered by the SBP for Insurable Interest:
• Any relative more closely related to you than a cousin. This includes relatives such as parents, stepparents, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, half-sisters, half- brothers, dependent or nondependent child or stepchild; or
• A close business associate who would be financially affected by your death. This must be a natural person (not a company, organization, fraternity, etc.) with a financial interest in your life.

Being married to someone in the military seems to be a whole different world than civilian marriages. Not only are the benefits different, many times the laws concerning specific topics differ from civilian marriage. If you have questions regarding survivor benefits plans or military laws regarding survivor benefits, ask Military Lawyers on JustAnswer.