Dd 2656 1 Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Dd 2656 1 Form PDF Details

The DD Form 2656-1 is the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Election Statement for Former Spouse Coverage. Retired or retiring service members use this form to elect SBP coverage for a former spouse, with or without dependent children. It is typically required when a court order or written agreement from divorce proceedings directs that a former spouse receive survivor benefits.

Who Needs This Form

This form applies to you if you are a retired service member who:

• Has a court order or written agreement requiring former spouse SBP coverage
• Wants to change SBP coverage to include a former spouse as a beneficiary
• Needs to add or update coverage for a former spouse with or without dependent children

Information Required to Complete This Form

To fill out the DD 2656 1 form accurately, gather the following before you begin:

• Full legal name and Social Security Number of the service member
• Full legal name and Social Security Number of the former spouse
• Date of marriage and date of divorce or legal separation
• Names and birth dates of any eligible dependent children
• A certified copy of the qualifying court order or written agreement

Submission Deadline

Submit the completed form and all required documents to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) within one year of the date on the qualifying court order or written agreement. Missing this deadline can invalidate your election and may require legal action to reinstate coverage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting without the former spouse's certification signature
• Missing the one-year submission deadline after the court order date
• Leaving the date of marriage or date of divorce fields blank
• Forgetting to attach a certified copy of the qualifying court order
• Entering incorrect Social Security Numbers for either party