Free Dd 2656 8 PDF Form

How to Fill Out Dd 2656 8

Welcome to the step-by-step guide for completing the DD Form 2656-8. This form is essential for those in the military community to ensure the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) reflects the current and correct coverage for family members. Accurate completion of this form is vital as it affects the deductions from your retired pay and potentially, the future financial security of your dependents. Rest assured, by following the steps outlined below, you will be able to fill out your form correctly and efficiently.

1. Start by entering the Member's Name in the corresponding field. Write down the last name, followed by your first name and middle initial.
2. Proceed to enter your Social Security Number in the designated space.
3. Fill in your Date of Birth using the YYYYMMDD format.
4. Next, indicate your marital status by checking the appropriate box. If you are married, select Yes.
5. If you have selected Yes for being married, you must provide your Spouse's Name in the same format as step 1.
6. For your spouse, enter their Social Security Number.
7. Provide your spouse's Date of Birth using the same format as in step 3.
8. Include your Date of Marriage and the Place of Marriage (city, county, state), adhering to the YYYYMMDD format for the date.
9. Indicate whether you have any dependent children by checking the appropriate box. If yes, proceed to complete the section for dependent children.
10. List all dependent children, providing their Name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, and Relationship to you (Natural, Step, Adopted, Foster).
11. After filling out all necessary information, sign the form in the Retiree space provided under item 8.a
12. Ensure a witness signs the form next to your signature and provides the Date next to their signature, using the YYYYMMDD format.

Once you have completed all the steps above, review the form to ensure all information provided is accurate and true. Misinformation can lead to complications regarding your SBP coverage and might affect the financial security of your dependents. After verifying the information, submit the form to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at the address provided on the form. Remember, keeping your SBP information up-to-date is crucial for maintaining correct coverage and premium costs.

What is the DD Form 2656-8?

DD Form 2656-8, also known as the "Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) - Automatic Coverage Fact Sheet," is a document used by members of the military to provide information about their marital and dependency status. This information helps establish and maintain accurate accounting of their retired pay account regarding the Survivor Benefit Plan.

Why is filling out the DD Form 2656-8 important?

Filling out this form is crucial because it ensures that your retired pay account reflects the correct SBP coverage and premium costs. If the required information is not provided, it may result in incorrect SBP deductions from your retired pay and adjustments to your survivor's annuity payments.

What happens if I don't submit the DD Form 2656-8?

If you do not submit the form, your retired pay account may reflect incorrect SBP coverage and premium costs. Additionally, there could be difficulty in establishing eligibility to receive future payments for your survivors.

Who needs to fill out the DD Form 2656-8?

Any member of the military who has a spouse and/or dependent children and is either retiring or transferring to reserve status on or after September 21, 1972, needs to fill out this form. If you had no spouse or dependent children at the time of your entitlement to retired pay, or if you had previously declined SBP coverage or elected coverage before the entitlement, you should notify the appropriate service.

What information do I need to provide on the DD Form 2656-8?

You need to provide details about your marital status, whether you have any dependent children, and information about each dependent. This includes names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and your relationship to each dependent.

How do I submit the DD Form 2656-8?

After completing the form, you should submit it to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, U.S. Military Retirement Pay, at the address provided on the form: 8899 E. 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200.

Is there a deadline for submitting the DD Form 2656-8?

While there is no specific deadline mentioned for submitting the form, it is advisable to do so as soon as possible after retirement or change in dependency status to ensure that your SBP coverage is updated accurately in a timely manner.

Where can I find more information about the Survivor Benefit Plan and DD Form 2656-8?

More information about the Survivor Benefit Plan and the DD Form 2656-8 can be found by visiting the official website of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) or contacting their support services for assistance.

1. Not checking for the most current form version. People often use outdated forms without realizing updates have occurred, potentially leading to processing delays or the need to resubmit information. Always verify you're using the latest DD 2656-8 form version before filling it out.

2. Skipping personal information details. Every section of personal information, such as the member's name, social security number, and date of birth, must be fully and accurately completed. Missing or incorrect details can create significant issues in the SBP coverage and premium costs calculations.

3. Incorrectly reporting marital status. A common mistake is inaccurately reporting one's marital status, which is crucial for accurately establishing SBP coverage. Whether you are currently married or not significantly influences coverage options and beneficiary eligibility.

4. Failing to provide complete spouse information. In the case of married respondents, it's essential to include complete and accurate spouse details such as name, social security number, date of birth, date, and place of marriage. Incomplete information could lead to incorrect SBP coverage.

5. Omitting dependent children information. If you have dependent children, providing their full details, including names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and relationship to the retiree, is critical. Failure to do so may compromise their eligibility for future benefits.

6. Ignoring the instruction for dependent children over age 22. The form allows for certain instances where children over the age of 22 can still be eligible dependents due to disability or schooling. Not accurately reporting this information can affect their coverage under the SBP.

7. Forgetting to sign and date the form. The retiree's signature and the date are necessary to validate the form. Unsigned or undated forms are incomplete and cannot be processed, leading to delays or the potential need for resubmission.

8. Using incorrect contact details for submission. It is crucial to send the completed form to the correct address provided. Using outdated or incorrect contact information can result in the form not being processed in a timely manner.

9. Not providing updates for changes after submission. If there are changes to your marital status, dependents, or other critical information after submitting the form, failing to notify the relevant department could lead to incorrect SBP deductions and beneficiary payments.

• Always ensure that the information provided on the DD 2656-8 form is accurate and complete to avoid potential benefits issues for you and your beneficiaries.

• Regularly review your SBP coverage and beneficiary information for any needed updates or corrections.

• Seek assistance if you are unsure about how to properly complete any section of the form to ensure compliance and accuracy.

When dealing with the administration of military benefits, particularly the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) as outlined by the DD Form 2656-8, a variety of other documents and forms are often utilized to ensure that a service member's retired pay account is accurately maintained, and the correct SBP coverage and premium costs are applied. These documents serve various purposes, from verifying personal and dependent information to adjusting or electing different coverage options.

• DD Form 2656: Retirement Application - Data for Payment of Retired Personnel. This form is used to start retired pay and includes vital information such as beneficiary designation.
• DD Form 2656-1: Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Election Statement for Former Spouse Coverage. It facilitates the election of SBP coverage for a former spouse.
• DD Form 2656-2: Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Termination Request. This form allows for the request to terminate SBP coverage.
• DD Form 2656-5: Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) Election Certificate. Utilized by Reserve Component members to select their SBP options upon retirement.
• DD Form 2656-6: Survivor Benefit Plan Election Change Certificate. For changing previously elected SBP coverage options.
• DD Form 2656-7: Verification for Survivor Annuity. This document is used to verify eligibility for survivor annuity benefits under SBP.
• DD Form 214: Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Essential for verifying military service and retirement, which affects eligibility and calculation for benefits.
• SF 180: Request Pertaining to Military Records. Used to request records necessary for the calculation of benefits and validation of service and dependency information.

Accurately completing and submitting these associated forms and documents is crucial for ensuring that retired military personnel and their beneficiaries receive the proper benefits and coverage. Each form addresses distinct aspects of a service member's retired pay and benefits, facilitating the correct administration and management of their SBP coverage and ensuring that their rights and benefits are safeguarded throughout the retirement process.

• The DD Form 2656, also known as the "Data for Payment of Retired Personnel," is closely related to the DD 2656-8 form in its purpose of managing retiree pay and benefits for military personnel. While the DD 2656-8 form is focused on gathering information to ensure correct Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage and premiums, the DD Form 2656 serves a broader purpose. It collects detailed personal and financial information necessary to initiate military retiree pay, including decisions on SBP elections.

• W-4 Form, or the "Employee's Withholding Certificate," shares a similarity with the DD 2656-8 in terms of updating personal information to determine the correct amount of federal income tax to withhold from earnings. Although the W-4 is used by civilian employers, the underlying principle of updating dependency status and personal information to accurately calculate deductions applies to both forms.

• The VA Form 21-686c, known as the "Declaration of Status of Dependents," is a document used by veterans to inform the Department of Veterans Affairs about their current marital status and any dependents for the purpose of adjusting veterans' benefits. Like the DD 2656-8, this form ensures veterans' benefits accurately reflect current family situations, impacting financial benefits.

• SF 1174, or the "Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Service," similarly gathers beneficiary information but in the context of compensation owed to the family of a deceased service member. This form ensures that any outstanding military pay, allowances, or travel reimbursements are correctly processed and paid out to the rightful beneficiaries, paralleling the DD 2656-8's goal of determining proper SBP coverage.

When filling out the DD Form 2656-8, it's important to ensure that accurate and complete information is provided to establish correct Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage and premiums. To assist in this process, here are six do's and don'ts:

• Thoroughly review the instructions before starting to ensure you understand the requirements.
• Include your full legal name and Social Security Number (SSN) to prevent any confusion or misidentification with another account.
• Double-check the marital and dependency information provided to ensure it reflects your current situation accurately.
• Provide complete information for all eligible family members you wish to cover under SBP, including accurate dates of birth and their relationship to you.
• Sign and date the form to validate your submission.
• Contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service directly if you have any questions or if your circumstances change after submission.

• Leave any required fields blank; incomplete information can delay processing or result in incorrect SBP deductions.
• Guess on dates or information; verify all details for accuracy before submitting.
• Forget to list all dependent children who are eligible; failure to do so may impact their future benefits.
• Ignore instructions to notify the appropriate office if you did not have a spouse or dependent child(ren) at the time of retirement or if you made an election before retirement.
• Use outdated forms; always confirm you are completing the latest version (in this case, JULY 2020).
• Omit your signature and the date, as these are required to process the form.

There are several misconceptions surrounding the DD Form 2656-8, also known as the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) - Automatic Coverage Fact Sheet. Addressing these can help ensure that service members and their families have a clear understanding of the form and its implications.

• Misconception 1: DD Form 2656-8 is an election form for SBP coverage. In reality, this form is not used to elect SBP coverage but to provide updated information about the retiree's family members who could be eligible for SBP benefits. The purpose is to ensure the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has accurate beneficiary information.

• Misconception 2: Completing the form is optional. While submission of the form is technically voluntary, failing to provide the requested information can result in incorrect SBP deductions from retired pay and could impact survivor annuity payments.

• Misconception 3: Only those with dependents need to submit the form. All retirees are encouraged to submit the form to confirm their current marital and dependent status, ensuring accurate SBP coverage. This is crucial for those whose family situation has changed since retirement.

• Misconception 4: Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are not required on the form. SSNs are essential for accurately identifying the correct member/annuitant account to apply the correct coverage and costs. This ensures that benefits are correctly administered.

• Misconception 5: The form impacts only those who retired after September 21, 1972. While Public Law 92-425 does specify automatic coverage for those retiring with eligible beneficiaries post-September 1972, this form is relevant for all retirees needing to update or confirm beneficiary information, regardless of their retirement date.

• Misconception 6: There’s no deadline for submitting the form. Timely submission is crucial. Delays can result in incorrect SBP coverage determinations and deductions, which might not easily be retroactively corrected.

• Misconception 7: The form is the only way to update dependent information. While the DD Form 2656-8 is an important tool for updating dependent information, retirees should also communicate directly with DFAS for any immediate changes or corrections outside of this form’s submission.

• Misconception 8: The form is lengthy and time-consuming to fill out. The public reporting burden is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, making it relatively quick to complete. This small investment of time can prevent future issues with retired pay and beneficiary payments.

Clearing up these misconceptions ensures that service members, retirees, and their families have the correct understanding of the DD Form 2656-8 and its role in managing SBP coverage and benefits effectively.

Filling out the DD Form 2656-8, or the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) - Automatic Coverage Fact Sheet, is a critical step for service members in managing their retirement benefits. Understanding its importance and how to complete it properly ensures that retiree accounts are accurately maintained. Here are several key takeaways:

• The primary purpose of the DD Form 2656-8 is to establish an accurate record of a retiree's marital and dependency status, which impacts the Survivor Benefit Plan coverage and costs.
• Providing accurate information on this form is voluntary, but not doing so can lead to incorrect SBP coverage and premium costs, and potentially affect future eligibility for benefits.
• Public Law 92-425 mandates automatic SBP coverage at the maximum rate for all members having a spouse and/or child(ren) upon retirement or reserve transfer, unless a different election was made before retirement.
• If the retiree's current marital status or dependent information is not up-to-date, or if no SBP election was received, coverage is automatically set at the maximum rate based on the most recent information available.
• To correct or update SBP coverage, retirees must complete and return the DD Form 2656-8 with current information regarding eligible family members and beneficiaries.
• The form requires personal details about the retiree, including Social Security Number, date of birth, marital status, spouse and dependent children’s information, and a signature to validate the submission.
• Completed forms should be sent to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), ensuring that retiree pay accounts reflect the correct SBP coverage and premium deductions, and adjust survivor annuity payments accordingly.

By carefully completing and submitting the DD Form 2656-8, retirees play an essential role in managing their retirement benefits and ensuring their loved ones are properly covered under the Survivor Benefit Plan. It's a straightforward process with significant implications for financial planning and peace of mind.