United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao_comptroller_general legislative 2016-06-23 U.S. Government Publishing Office 1996-05-24 monographic deposited born digital 6 p. GA 1.13:B-270502 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-B-270502 P0b002ee18fd487aa f:270502 DGPO 2016-06-23 2016-06-23 GAOREPORTS-B-270502 machine generated eng fdlp COMPTROLLERDECISION GAOREPORTS-B-270502 B-270502 Comptroller General Decision

In a property settlement incorporated into a divorce decree, a retired Air Force member agreed to maintain his former wife as beneficiary under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). He filed a former-spouse SBP election with the Air Force, indicating that it was made pursuant to court order, but the election did not include the required signature of the former spouse. The Air Force accepted the election without notifying the member or former spouse of the discrepancy in the election. The member remarried and later wrote to the Air Force requesting that his new wife be provided coverage under the SBP. Although an election made pursuant to court order may not be changed or revoked without an authorizing court order, the Air Force, without requesting clarification, established coverage for the second wife to whom it awarded the annuity upon the member's death. In view of apparent administrative error, the Air Force should consider the matter for correction pursuant to 10 U.S.C. sec. 1454. If appropriate correction is made, payment to the former spouse may be made. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-B-270502/html/GAOREPORTS-B-270502.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-B-270502/pdf/GAOREPORTS-B-270502.pdf GAO/B-270502 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-B-270502 Comptroller General Decision GAO/B-270502; Elizabeth R. Haviland-Survivor Benefit Plan-Former Spouse; Title 10 Section 1445 Title 10 Section 1447-1460b Title 10 Section 1448(b)(3) Title 10 Section 1448(b)(5) Title 10 Section 1450(f)(2) Title 10 Section 1450(f)(3) Title 10 Section 1453 Title 10 Section 1454 10 U.S.C. 1445 10 U.S.C. 1447-1460b 10 U.S.C. 1448(b)(3) 10 U.S.C. 1448(b)(5) 10 U.S.C. 1450(f)(2) 10 U.S.C. 1450(f)(3) 10 U.S.C. 1453 10 U.S.C. 1454