RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-01925

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The applicant requests corrective action to allow him to change the level of his spouse-only coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

During his SBP counseling, he was provided erroneous information regarding the costs for SBP.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a retired Air Force master sergeant.  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPFFF recommends granting the application.  The applicant prior to his 1 Mar 17 retirement was married with dependent children.  He elected spouse only SBP coverage based on the threshold amount, and his spouse concurred with the election.  The Defense Finance and Accounting Service – Cleveland Center (DFAS-CL) erroneously established full spouse only coverage versus the threshold amount the applicant selected his DD Form 2656, Data for Payment of Retired Personnel.  The applicant was provided the wrong breakeven and threshold figures by the SBP counselor.  The applicant’s intent was to select the breakeven amount that was in effect on the date of his retirement.   

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 14 Jun 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

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 the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DPFFF and finds that a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions. 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 14 February 2017, he elected spouse only SBP coverage based on the breakeven base amount of $1,720.72, and his spouse concurred in his election.

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-2017-01925 in Executive Session on 2 Aug 18:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 3 Apr 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DPFFF, dated 23 Apr 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 14 Jun 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.