RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2002-03439
		INDEX CODE:  128.14

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be reimbursed for the amount of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) deducted from her pay.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

During the time frame of October and November 1998 she completed a stop SGLI form at Robin Warner AFB, GA, with the understanding that it would be processed.  She believes that the form was not processed because continuously up until September 2002 she received bills for SGLI totaling over $650.00.  She indicates that she does not have a copy of the form she completed and personnel that assisted her with the form no longer work in that office. 

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of staff sergeant.

On 1 November 2000, Public Law 106-419, Section 312, was enacted by President Clinton raising the amount of coverage under SGLI from $200,000 to $250,000.  Under the provisions of this law, every eligible participating member of the Armed Forces was automatically covered, regardless of any prior election.  The provision also stated that, within the month of April 2001, any member could elect to withdraw or reduce their coverage without being charged $20 per month for the maximum coverage of $250,000.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPS recommended denial.  They indicated that the applicant claims she declined coverage during October - November 1998.  They have no record that she declined coverage at that time.  The applicant must, however, decline again.  Public Law 106-419, Section 312, required members who desired more or less coverage needed to do so within the month of April 2001.  She states she received her September 2002 Leave and Earning Statement which reflected deductions in the amount of $650.00 for SGLI.  According to the pay system, money is currently being deducted from member’s pay for SGLI premiums.  To stop accruing a debt, the applicant must accomplish a SGLV Form 8286 to decline coverage.

Personnel at AFRC Public Affairs Office, states the changes to SGLI were e-mailed to all units and subsequently published in their newsletters to inform members of the changes to the SGLI program.

The evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the evaluation and indicated that she was not actively performing Unit Training Assemblies from June 1998 - February 2001.  She was demoted and banned from joining a Reserve unit for a period of two years.  She was not receiving any pay from the military during this time frame.  She states that she completed a SGLI form at Robin Warner AFB, GA.  Unfortunately, she does not have a copy of the form.

Applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit D.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.

3.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or an injustice warranting partial relief for reimbursement of SGLI payments from April 2001 to present.  In this respect, we note that the applicant was not participating with her unit and may not have been aware of the new law concerning SGLI, which took effect in April 2001.  In addition, we note that a notification was not sent to her home as we have seen in similar type cases.  Therefore, we recommend that her records be corrected to show that effective 1 April 2001 she declined SGLI coverage.  We note that the applicant stated that she had declined SGLI coverage enacted in 1998; however, she has failed to provide documentation to substantiate her claim.  In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we do not recommend complete reimbursement of the payments made under the SGLI programs.  Accordingly, we recommend that the records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 1 April 2001, she executed an SGLV Form 8286, Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Election Certificate, declining any and all coverage, effective 1 April 2001.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-03439 in Executive Session on 15 April 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

		Panel Chair
		Member
		Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 October 2002.
   Exhibit B.  Letter, ARPC/DPS, dated 25 November 2002, w/atchs.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 December 2002.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs. 

			

AFBCMR BC-2002-03439

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to   , be corrected to show that on 1 April 2001, she executed an SGLV Form 8286, Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Election Certificate, declining any and all coverage, effective 1 April 2001.