RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-05247

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO
________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her records be corrected to reflect she declined coverage under 
the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP).

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She misunderstood her options for RCSBP in 2009 because she was 
not retiring at age 60 as she had submitted a waiver to retire 
at age 64.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

_________________ ______________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former Air Force Reserve member who retired 
on 30 Jan 13.

Service members who are eligible to participate in RCSBP have 
three options in electing coverage for their dependents:  

      a.  Option A (Decline to make an election until age 60) – 
the service member declines to make an election at the time of 
eligibility; however, the service member is provided an 
opportunity to participate in SBP at age 60.
      
      b.  Option B (Deferred Annuity) the service member elects 
RCSBP coverage to begin at age 60.
      
      c.  Option C (Immediate Annuity) the service member elects 
for coverage to begin immediately.
      
      Additionally, married service members who do not make an 
election within 90 days will be automatically enrolled in 
Option C.  Unmarried service members who do not make an election 
within 90 days will be automatically enrolled in Option A.


The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPTT recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or injustice.  On 10 Mar 09, the applicant was notified 
of her eligibility to participate in the RCSBP.  The applicant 
failed to respond and was automatically enrolled in Option C 
(Immediate Annuity) on 11 Jun 09 in accordance with the 
provisions of Title 10 Section 1448.  Under RCSBP service 
members have 90 days from the date of notification of 
eligibility to make their election.  The applicant will have an 
opportunity to decline participation in SBP at her approved 
retirement age of 64; however, regardless of her decision at 
that point, she will be liable for the premiums associated with 
the coverage in effect from the date it was established until 
she begins to draw retired pay.

A complete copy of the ARPC/DPTT evaluation, with attachments, 
is at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reiterates she misunderstood her options in 2009 
as she was not planning on retiring until age 64.

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit E.

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission, to include her 
rebuttal response, in judging the merits of the case; however, 
we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force 
office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the 
basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim 
of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence 
to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the 
relief sought in this application.

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and the 
application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of 
newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this 
application.

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-05247 in Executive Session on 29 Aug 13, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Panel Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member

Although    chaired the panel, in view of her unavailability,   
has agreed to sign as Acting Panel Chair.  The following 
documentary evidence was considered:

	 Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Nov 12, w/atchs.
	 Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	 Exhibit C.  Letter, ARPC/DPTT, dated 18 Dec 12, w/atchs.
	 Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jan 13.
	 Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 23 Jan 13, w/atchs.