Fill Out DD Form 2656-6 Online
Survivor Benefit Plan Election Change Certificate
U.S. Department of Defense
Requests a change to a retiree's Survivor Benefit Plan coverage after a qualifying life event such as marriage, divorce, or a new child.
Reviewed July 2026
How it works
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Open the form. The official PDF loads straight into the editor, no download needed first.
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Fill it out in the editor. Click anywhere to type, add checkmarks and place your signature.
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Download your PDF. Save the completed form, ready to print or submit.
DD Form 2656-6, the Survivor Benefit Plan Election Change Certificate, is how a military retiree asks DFAS to update Survivor Benefit Plan coverage after a qualifying life event. SBP elections are largely locked in at retirement, but events like marriage, divorce, the death of a beneficiary, or the arrival of a child open a window to add, change, or resume coverage.
You can complete DD Form 2656-6 in the Universal PDF editor, fill in the retiree, beneficiary, and event details on screen, and download the finished PDF to sign and mail to DFAS with your supporting documents. A typed form with a clearly identified life event and matching documentation is the fastest way through processing.
What DD Form 2656-6 is used for
The form covers coverage changes tied to qualifying events, including:
- Adding spouse coverage after a marriage or remarriage
- Adding coverage for a newly acquired child by birth or adoption
- Reporting a divorce or the death of a covered beneficiary
- Electing former spouse coverage where required by a court order or agreement
- Resuming suspended coverage when circumstances change
Who uses the form
Military retirees who participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan, or whose coverage was suspended because they had no eligible beneficiary, use DD Form 2656-6 when a life event changes who could receive the annuity. Guard and Reserve retirees with Reserve Component SBP use the equivalent process for their program.
Timing matters: many changes must be requested within one year of the qualifying event, so it pays to file promptly and confirm the current deadline for your situation with DFAS. Universal PDF is an independent document tool and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or DFAS.
How to fill out DD Form 2656-6
Gather the documents that prove the life event before you start, because DFAS needs them to process the change:
- Retiree identification: name, Social Security number, and contact information
- The qualifying event and its date, such as marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, or death of a beneficiary
- The election you are making: the coverage category and beneficiary information
- Supporting documents: marriage certificate, divorce decree, birth certificate, or death certificate as applicable
- Signature and date; some elections also require additional certifications
Where to send the form
Mail or fax the signed form and copies of your supporting documents to DFAS Retired and Annuitant Pay. The current mailing address and fax number are published on dfas.mil, and DFAS also accepts many documents through its online upload tool.
Keep copies of everything. SBP premium changes resulting from the election will appear on your Retiree Account Statement once the change is processed.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Open the form in the Universal PDF editor, complete the retiree, event, and beneficiary fields on screen, and download the finished PDF. Sign it and send it to DFAS with copies of the documents that prove the qualifying event.
Requests to add spouse coverage after marriage generally must be made within one year of the marriage. Deadlines are set by law and can differ by situation, so submit as soon as possible and verify the current rule with DFAS.
Common events include marriage or remarriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, and the death of a covered beneficiary. Each event opens specific options, and the form and DFAS guidance explain which elections apply.
Proof of the event: a marriage certificate for a marriage, a divorce decree for a divorce, a birth or adoption record for a new child, or a death certificate for a deceased beneficiary. Court orders matter for former spouse elections.
Adding or resuming coverage generally restarts or adjusts premiums, and removing a beneficiary can suspend them. The effect shows up on your Retiree Account Statement after DFAS processes the election.
Related forms
Universal PDF is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Forms are provided from official government sources; always confirm you have the current version before filing.