UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03790

COUNSEL: NONE

HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) be reduced to the amount requested on his DD Form 2656, Data for Retired Personnel when he retired.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He elected spouse coverage based on a reduced base amount; however, he is being charged based on full gross pay.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. According to the applicant’s DD Form 2656  dated  18  Aug  15,  he  elected  spouse  only  coverage  with  a  reduced  base  amount   of
$1,538.46 and his former spouse concurred with the SBP election. For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPTT recommends denying the application. The applicant became eligible to make a Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) election on 20 Jan 11. However, due to a non-response and having an eligible dependent, Option C, “Immediate Annuity” was automatically selected in accordance with Title 10, USC Subsection 1448(a)(2)(B). On 30 Oct 15, the applicant applied for retirement pay and elected to receive a reduced amount SBP; however, due the prior automatic election based on his non-response, he is being charged full coverage effective   5 Apr
11.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 21 Jan 18 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 1 Mar 18. In his response, the applicant contended he never received or ignored the retirement and RCSBP letters because he was four years from retirement at the time.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The application was timely filed.

2.	The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.	After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of error and injustice. The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of ARPC/DPTT and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-03790 in Executive Session on 5 Apr 18:

Panel Chair Panel Member
Panel Member
All members voted not to correct the record. The panel considered the following: Exhibit A: Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 15 Sep 16.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records. Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, ARPC/DPTT, w/atch dated 19 Jan 18.
Exhibit D: Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 21 Jan 18. Exhibit E:  Applicant’s response, dated 1 Mar 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 2