Docket No. 753-20
Ref:   Signature Date 

From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:    Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj:  REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD ICO  , USNR RET,  XXX-XX  
 
Ref:   (a) Title 10 U.S.C. § 1552 
       (b) DODFMR, Vol 7B, Chp 54 
 
Encl:  (1) DD Form 149 w/attachments 
       (2) Subject’s naval record 
 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a) Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting, in effect, that the applicable naval record be corrected to reflect declination of Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). 
                                              
2.  The Board, consisting of     , reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 17 December 2020 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval record, and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 
 
3.  The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice, found that, before applying to this Board, she exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy.  The Board made the following findings: 
 
     a.  In accordance with reference (b), members notified of completion of the years of service required for retired pay eligibility for non-regular retirement must make an election to decline or elect reduced coverage with spousal concurrence within 90-days of receiving notification.  After 1 January 2001, a member who is married or has a dependent child is automatically enrolled in RCSBP if an election is not received within 90-days of receiving notification. 
 
     b.  Petitioner married  on 12 January 1980. 
 
     c.  Petitioner earned 20 total years of qualifying service on 28 June 2002. 
 
     d.  Petitioner was issued Notification of Eligibility (NOE) to Receive Retired Pay at Age 60 and Participate in the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) on 21 September 2002.  
 
     e.  Petitioner transferred to the Retired Reserve without pay effective 1 August 2004. 
 
     f.  On 17 September 2015, Navy Personnel Command issued Petitioner notification of RCSBP automatic enrollment effective 20 December 2002. 
 
     g.  Petitioner and spouse signed DD Form 2656-5, Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) Election Certificate on 21 November 2015 electing Option C (Immediate Annuity) for Spouse and Child(ren) coverage at the Full Retired Pay level of coverage. 
 
     h.  Petitioner transferred to the Retired Reserve with pay effective 18 January 2016.  
 
     i.  Petitioner and spouse signed SBP Affidavit before a notary witness on 16 February 2020 declining SBP coverage. 
                                
CONCLUSION 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting the following corrective action.  The Board concluded Petitioner provided sufficient evidence to reflect her and spouse’s desire to decline RCSBP and SBP coverage.  Although Petitioner did not correctly complete the proper administrative requirements, the Board felt that under these circumstances, relief is warranted. 
 
RECOMMENDATION 
 
That Petitioner’s naval record be corrected, where appropriate, to show that: 
 
Petitioner elected to decline enrollment in RCSBP with spouse concurrence within 90-days of receiving notification to participate in RCSBP.   
 
Petitioner elected to decline participation in SBP with spouse concurrence prior to transferring to Retired Reserve with pay. 
 
Note:  Defense Finance and Accounting Service will complete an audit of Petitioner’s pay records to determine the amount of premium refund.  
                                                             
A copy of this Report of Proceedings will be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 
 
4.  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. 
 
5.  Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 723.6(e)), 
and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing 
corrective action, taken under the authority of the reference, has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.