Gray area · survivors
Elect RC-SBP within 90 days of the 20-year letter
Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan is a 90-day clock from the Notification of Eligibility. If you do nothing and you have a spouse or child, the law enrolls Option C. Army recut 2026: submit DD 2656-5 in IPPS-A. I will not file it.
01
Treat the 20-year letter as a clock, not a souvenir
When the NOE is issued you have 90 days to elect using DD Form 2656-5. Recut from DFAS: if the election is not received in 90 days, you are automatically enrolled in Option C (immediate annuity) if you have an eligible beneficiary.
02
Know the three options
Option A: decline until retired-pay age (spouse concurrence, notarized). Option B: deferred annuity at retirement age. Option C: immediate annuity if you die in the gray area. Spouse must concur to take less than maximum coverage.
03
Army: file it in IPPS-A
HRC recut 2026: RCSBP elections process through IPPS-A. PAID tile → Benefits → Add → category RCSBP. Other services still use their personnel portal or mail. Keep a copy. This is not TRICARE Retired Reserve and not VGLI.