Book update page

Retired Spouses, Annuitants and Survivors

This Vols4Vets.com page keeps current links, phone numbers and source notes for the book chapter.

Official-source caution: Vols4Vets.com is a routing companion to the book. Official agencies, crisis lines, providers and program pages control action, eligibility, deadlines, phone numbers and forms.

Who this helps

Spouse, annuitant, survivor, adult child.

Best first step

Start with DFAS, VA survivor pages and the family document file.

What to gather

Death certificate if relevant, marriage records, SBP info, DD214 and pay account details.

Safety notes

Do not assume a surviving spouse automatically keeps every benefit the retiree had.
Do not wait for an ID card to expire before renewing it as a survivor or dependent.
Do not assume annuitant paperwork transfers automatically without a direct check with DFAS.

Resource cards for this chapter

DFAS Retired and Annuitant Pay

Start with DFAS retired and annuitant pay pages or myPay

Phone: 800-321-1080

Official website: https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/

What to gather: Retiree account info, SSN last four, banking, tax and beneficiary paperwork

Source type: Official federal pay source

Date checked: 2026-07-04

Safety note: Retired pay and tax questions can affect money owed. Confirm details with DFAS, IRS, a tax professional or another qualified source before acting.

VA Survivors Pension and DIC

Read VA page and contact accredited help if needed

Phone: No phone listed

Official website: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/survivor-compensation/

What to gather: Death certificate, service records, marriage or dependency records and income where requested

Source type: Official VA survivor benefits source

Date checked: 2026-07-05

Safety note: Starting point only. Verify directly. Do not treat as legal, medical, tax, financial or VA claims advice.

VA Burial Benefits

Use VA burial and memorial pages before making promises

Phone: No phone listed

Official website: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/

What to gather: DD214, death certificate and cemetery or funeral documents

Source type: Official VA burial and memorial source

Date checked: 2026-07-05

Safety note: Starting point only. Verify directly. Do not treat as legal, medical, tax, financial or VA claims advice.

Website update page purpose

Use this page to check current official links, phone numbers and source notes that can change after the printed book.

Back to Retired Military

Last source package check: 2026-07-06. This page does not provide legal, medical, tax, financial or VA claims advice.