From: Air Force Retiree News Service
Subject: New form will assist with death notifications

Release No. 11-04-11

Nov. 7, 2011

New form will assist with death notifications

CLEVELAND (AFRNS) -- Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials report that survivors can now use a “fast form” to report the passing of a retiree on the Internet rather than waiting on the phone.

The DFAS Form 9221 for notification of death can be processed quicker than faxed or mailed forms, said officials, and they save paper and postage costs. Officials warn that if a survivor doesn’t receive confirmation of receipt from DFAS within 48 hours of submitting the form, they should call 800-321-1080.

The form can be completed and submitted online from the privacy of a customer's home, or with the help of a casualty assistance representative. Submitting the form initiates all of the same actions a DFAS customer care center representative would:

-- The retiree's account will be suspended to avoid release of monthly payments.

-- A Standard Form 1174 claim form will be sent to the retiree's arrears-of-pay beneficiary.

-- If the decedent was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan or the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan, an annuitant care package will be sent to the beneficiary.

The notification-of-death form is only for reporting the death of a military retiree. Annuitant deaths must still be reported to one of the DFAS customer care representatives at 800-321-1080.

To access the notification of death fast form, click on the link at http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/forms.html.

For more retiree news and information, please visit www.retirees.af.mil.