RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00291 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he made a timely election for spouse only coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was not married at the time of his retirement and was not briefed or made aware of the SBP program. He only knew that if he did marry, his spouse would be entitled to an identification card (ID), allowing her certain benefits. He married eleven years after retirement; however, there were several issues which prevented him from immediately obtaining an ID card for his spouse. When her ID card was obtained, he was informed of her entitlement to commissary and military hospital benefits, but nothing about SBP. He later became aware of the SBP program while reading an article in the Air Force Times. He made an appointment to secure SPP benefits for his spouse; however, he was informed that the process needed to have been accomplished within a year of marriage. He should be allowed to obtain a waiver of the year restriction since he was not briefed, aware or given, sent or signed, any form indicating his knowledge of the program or time limits to accomplish such transfer of benefits. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant retired on 1 April 2001 in the grade of master sergeant (E-7). On 20 December 2000, the applicant initiated a DD Form 2656, Data for Payment of Retired Personnel, reflecting his marital status as single, electing not to participate in SBP, and declining coverage for his eligible dependents. According to a State of California, license and certificate of marriage, submitted by the applicant, he married on 3 October 2012. On 3 October 2014, the applicant initiated a DD Form 2656-6, Survivor Benefit Plan Election Change Certificate, requesting a change in coverage to spouse only based on marriage. On 22 October 2014, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Office advised the applicant that he was unable to add his spouse to his SBP. Specifically, he would have had to provide notification prior to his first year anniversary in order for her to have been eligible. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPFFF recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. In accordance with Title 10 United States Code, Section 1448a, a member who is unmarried at retirement is permitted to elect coverage for the first spouse acquired after retiring; however, the election must be made before the first anniversary of marriage. If a member fails to make an election before then, SBP coverage for that person or another person of that category may be elected only if Congress authorized an open enrollment period. In this case, the applicant’s contentions that he was not briefed and was not aware of the SBP are without merit. He completed the DD Form 2656 which was signed by himself and a SBP counselor. In addition, the Afterburner, News for United States Air Force (USAF) Retired Personnel, routinely contained articles to advise retirees of the their SBP options when marrying after retirement. The Afterburner was either forwarded to the correspondence address the applicant provided to the finance center or may be obtained from the Air Force Retiree website. The website also provides detailed information on the SBP. SBP is similar to commercial life insurance in that an individual must elect to participate during the opportunities provided by law and pay the associated premiums to have coverage. Providing the applicant an additional opportunity to elect SBP coverage would be inequitable to other retirees in similar situations and is not justified by the facts. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPFFF 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 15 September 2015 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 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-2015-00291 in Executive Session on 18 November 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00291 was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 January 2015, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPFFF, dated 3 September 2015. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 September 2015.