The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — decisions you'll make at retirement. It's also one of the few decisions that's nearly impossible to undo once you leave the service.
Should you pay 6.5% of your retirement pay every month so your spouse receives 55% of it after you die? The answer isn't simple, and it depends heavily on your specific situation.
Critical Timing: You must elect SBP coverage at retirement. If you decline, you generally cannot change your mind later. If you elect coverage, you have only a one-year window (months 25-36 after retirement) to cancel — with your spouse's written consent.
SBP at a Glance
How SBP Works: The Basics
When you retire from the military, your pension stops when you die. Your surviving spouse gets nothing — unless you've enrolled in SBP.
SBP is essentially a government-run survivor annuity. Here's how it works:
- You pay 6.5% of your chosen "base amount" each month (deducted pre-tax from your retirement pay)
- Your survivor receives 55% of that base amount for the rest of their life
- Both your premiums and survivor benefits are adjusted for inflation (COLA)
- No medical exam required — guaranteed coverage regardless of health
- Base amount can be any amount from $300/month up to your full retirement pay
2026 SBP Costs: Real Examples by Rank
Let's look at actual SBP costs for common retirement scenarios at 20 years of service, assuming full coverage (base amount = full retirement pay):
| Rank | Monthly Retirement | SBP Cost (6.5%) | Survivor Gets (55%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,224 | $145 | $1,223 |
| E-7 | $2,969 | $193 | $1,633 |
| E-9 | $3,839 | $250 | $2,111 |
| O-3 | $3,927 | $255 | $2,160 |
| O-5 | $4,594 | $299 | $2,527 |
| O-6 | $5,508 | $358 | $3,029 |
Tax advantage: SBP premiums are deducted from your retirement pay before federal taxes, reducing your taxable income. If you're in the 22% tax bracket, a $193 SBP premium effectively costs you about $150 after tax savings.
SBP vs. Term Life Insurance: The Real Comparison
Many retirees wonder: "Why pay for SBP when I could just buy life insurance?" Here's the honest comparison:
SBP Advantages
- ✅ Guaranteed lifetime income — can't outlive it
- ✅ COLA adjusted — keeps pace with inflation
- ✅ No medical exam — can't be denied
- ✅ Government-backed — no company bankruptcy risk
- ✅ Pre-tax premiums — reduces taxable income
- ✅ Simple — no investment decisions
Life Insurance Advantages
- ✅ Lower cost when young — especially term life
- ✅ Lump sum payout — flexibility for survivor
- ✅ Can cancel anytime — not locked in
- ✅ Invest the difference — potential for higher returns
- ✅ Decreasing need — can reduce as assets grow
- ✅ Tax-free death benefit — no income tax on payout
The Numbers: E-7 at 20 Years Example
Let's compare SBP to buying a 20-year term life policy for an E-7 retiring at age 42:
| Factor | SBP | $500K Term Life |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (age 42) | $193 | ~$45 |
| Monthly cost (age 62) | $193 (same %) | ~$250+ (if insurable) |
| Coverage at age 82 | Still active | Likely none available |
| Survivor benefit | $1,633/mo for life | $500K lump sum |
| Inflation protection | Yes (COLA) | No |
| If you live to 90 | Paid ~$111K total | Coverage likely ended |
The catch with life insurance: Term life is cheap when you're young and healthy. But it gets expensive (or unavailable) as you age or develop health issues. SBP costs the same percentage regardless of age or health, making it more valuable the longer you live.
The SBP-DIC Offset: Critical Information
This is the most important thing many retirees don't know about SBP.
If your death is service-connected (or you had a 100% VA rating for 10+ years), your surviving spouse may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA. In 2026, DIC pays $1,612/month to a surviving spouse.
Here's the problem: SBP is reduced dollar-for-dollar by DIC.
SBP-DIC Offset Example (E-7 at 20 Years)
Your spouse paid $193/month for years... and gets only $21/month from SBP. They still get the full $1,612 DIC, but that's free from the VA regardless of SBP enrollment.
The silver lining: If SBP is reduced by DIC, surviving spouses receive a "Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance" (SSIA) to partially offset the loss. In 2026, SSIA pays up to $346/month. But this still means significant SBP value is lost when DIC applies.
When SBP IS Worth It
SBP makes the most sense when:
- Your spouse has no career/retirement income — They depend on your pension
- You have health issues — Life insurance may be expensive or unavailable
- You want guaranteed lifetime income — No investment risk or decisions
- You're unlikely to qualify for DIC — No service-connected death expected
- Your spouse is much younger — More years of potential benefit
- You want simplicity — No managing investments or insurance policies
When SBP is NOT Worth It
SBP may not be the best choice when:
- Your spouse has their own substantial income/pension — Less dependent on your retirement
- You have significant other assets — Investments, property, other insurance
- You'll likely qualify for DIC — High VA disability rating, service-connected conditions
- You're healthy and can invest the difference — Disciplined investor who can beat SBP returns
- Your spouse is in poor health — Unlikely to outlive you by many years
- No spouse or eligible dependents — SBP primarily benefits spouse/children
Decision Framework: Should You Elect SBP?
Partial Coverage: A Middle Ground
You don't have to elect full SBP coverage. You can choose any base amount from $300 to your full retirement pay. For example:
| Coverage Level | E-7 Monthly Cost | Survivor Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Full ($2,969) | $193 | $1,633/mo |
| 75% ($2,227) | $145 | $1,225/mo |
| 50% ($1,485) | $97 | $817/mo |
| Minimum ($300) | $20 | $165/mo |
Partial coverage can make sense if you want some guaranteed survivor income but also plan to invest in life insurance or other assets to supplement it.
Key Dates and Rules to Know
- At retirement: You must elect SBP coverage. Spouse signature required to decline.
- Months 25-36 after retirement: One-year window to cancel SBP (with spouse consent)
- After year 3: Cannot cancel SBP (with limited exceptions)
- If spouse dies first: SBP premiums stop, but no refund of premiums paid
- Remarriage before 55: Surviving spouse loses SBP (restored if marriage ends)
- Remarriage at 55+: Surviving spouse keeps SBP
The Bottom Line
SBP isn't universally "worth it" or "not worth it" — it depends entirely on your situation. The key factors are:
- How much does your spouse depend on your retirement income?
- Will DIC likely offset your SBP? (100% VA rating, service-connected conditions)
- Can you afford and qualify for life insurance?
- Are you a disciplined investor? (Could you invest the SBP premium difference?)
- How long is your spouse likely to live after you?
For most retirees whose spouse depends on their income and who don't have a high VA rating, SBP is a solid choice — it's guaranteed, inflation-protected, and can't be outlived. But if you have significant assets, a spouse with their own retirement, or a likely DIC situation, the math may favor other strategies.
Calculate Your Retirement Numbers
Know your exact retirement pay before making the SBP decision. See what your spouse would need to maintain your lifestyle.
Use the Free Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does SBP cost in 2026?
SBP costs 6.5% of your chosen base amount. If you elect full coverage on a $3,000/month retirement, you pay $195/month. You can elect coverage on any amount from $300 to your full retirement pay.
How much does SBP pay to survivors?
SBP pays 55% of the elected base amount to your surviving spouse (or other eligible beneficiary). If you elected full coverage on $3,000/month retirement, your survivor receives $1,650/month for life.
Can I cancel SBP after I retire?
You can only cancel SBP during a one-year window between the 25th and 36th month after retirement, and only with your spouse's written consent. Outside this window, SBP cannot be cancelled.
What happens if I outlive my spouse?
If your spouse dies before you, SBP premiums stop but you receive no refund of premiums paid. You can designate a new spouse or insurable interest person, or coverage simply ends.
What is the SBP-DIC offset?
If your survivor receives both SBP and VA DIC ($1,612/month in 2026), the SBP payment is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the DIC amount. This can eliminate most or all of the SBP benefit, making SBP less valuable for service-connected death situations.