RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-04262
		
  						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS:

Her record be corrected to show she declined the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Program (RCSBP). 

APPLICANT CONTENDS:

Without her knowledge she was signed up for RCSBP.  This was not her choice.  When applying for retirement on 27 Jul 15, she elected not to participate in RCSBP on the DD Form 2656, Data for Payment of Retired Personnel.  

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Air Force Reserve during the matter under review. 

Under Reserve Order EL-4618, dated 10 Aug 15, the applicant retired, effective 1 Aug 15, after serving 28 years, 2 months, and 24 days for the purpose of basic pay.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is included at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPTT recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  The applicant became eligible for the RCSBP on 27 Nov 09.  We have no verification the applicant was ever contacted regarding her RCSBP eligibility.  Due to her having eligible beneficiaries and not submitting any input pertaining to RCSBP, Option C, “Immediate Annuity” for “Spouse Only”, was automatically elected for her effective, 23 Feb 10.  When the applicant applied for retired pay on 27 Jul 15, she elected to decline SBP, however, because of the automatic RCSBP election of Option C, she was unable to decline coverage.  The applicant states this was the first time she was ever given an option to elect coverage under the survivor benefit plan.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPTT evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 7 Jun 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

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 an error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DPTT and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that effective 23 February 2010, she elected Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Program (RCSBP), Option A, “Defer Making an Election Until Age 60.” 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04262 in Executive Session on 25 Aug 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04262 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Sep 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPTT, dated 7 Apr 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Jun 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.