Dd Form 2656 5 – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Dd Form 2656 5 PDF Details

The DD Form 2656-5, officially titled the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) Election Certificate, allows Reserve Component members to make critical decisions about providing financial protection for their beneficiaries. Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. Chapter 73 and DoD Instruction 1332.42, this form must be submitted within 90 days of receiving notification of eligibility for retired pay.

RCSBP Coverage Options

Members completing the form must choose among three coverage options:

• Option A – Decline Coverage: The member elects not to participate in the RCSBP program.
• Option B – Deferred Annuity: The annuity begins when the member would have reached age 60. This option provides survivor protection during the waiting period with delayed benefit payment.
• Option C – Immediate Annuity: The annuity begins immediately upon the member's death, regardless of age. This provides the broadest financial protection for surviving beneficiaries.

Who Can Be Named as Beneficiary

The form supports several beneficiary designations: spouse only, spouse and children, children only, former spouse, former spouse and children, or a natural person with an insurable interest. Members who select coverage affecting a spouse must include spousal concurrence in the designated section.

Level of Coverage

Members may elect full retired pay or a reduced amount of retired pay as the basis for calculating survivor benefits. Once elected, the coverage level generally cannot be changed except under specific legal exceptions.

Related DD Form 2656 Documents

The RCSBP Election Certificate is part of a family of SBP election forms. Other forms you may need include the DD Form 2656 (SBP Election Statement for active duty retirees), DD Form 2656-1 (SBP Annuitant Action Request), DD Form 2656-2 (SBP Survivor Benefit Estimate Request), and DD Form 2656-10 (SBP/RCSBP Request for Deemed Election).