New rules give Airmen more choices in death gratuity benefit designation

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6/25/2008 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Beginning July 1, Airmen will be able to select one or more persons of their choosing to receive death gratuity benefits.

"This is a significant change to the DG benefits election option for all Airmen," said Steven Kelley, director of Air and Space Expeditionary Force Operations at the Air Force Personnel Center here.

Prior to the change in law, payments were restricted to the spouse, then children if applicable and then to a family member as elected by the Airman. It didn't allow a married Airman to leave the death gratuity to anyone else.

"Since the amount of death gratuity increased to $100,000, payment to minor children requires guardianship over the child's estate and can be a lengthy and costly process depending upon the state in which the child resides," said Mr. Kelley. "This change provides more flexibility to the service member in designating the gratuity benefit. "

Beginning July 1, Airmen will be able to select persons to receive death benefits in increments of 10 percent. For example, an Airman will be able to choose 20 percent to a cousin, 10 percent to a friend and the remaining 70 percent to a spouse for a total of 100 percent. The death gratuity designation will no longer be restricted to a spouse, child or blood relative.

To implement this change, AFPC officials will update the vREDs of members who are married and/or have dependent children to reflect a "by law" designation on July 1. "By law" means that 100 percent of the DG payment is paid in the following order of precedence: surviving spouse, surviving children in equal amounts, descendents of any deceased children in equal amounts, executor or administrator of the service member's estate or Airman's other next of kin under the laws of domicile at the time of death.

Airmen who would like to designate a specific beneficiary or multiple beneficiaries by name must access the vMPF on or after July 1 to provide the information on their beneficiaries.

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