Death of a Sponsor
The death of a military sponsor is a devastating event, and TRICARE provides continued coverage for surviving family members. Surviving spouses and children of service members who die on active duty or in the line of duty receive TRICARE coverage for three years at active duty family member rates (no enrollment fees, no cost-shares). After three years, surviving dependents remain eligible for TRICARE as retiree dependents. Surviving spouses of retirees retain TRICARE eligibility until they remarry (before age 55). Children remain eligible until age 21 (or 23 if full-time students). DEERS records must be updated, and the Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) typically assists with this process.
Timeline
Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) assigned to family
Immediate TRICARE coverage continues for all dependents
CAO assists with DEERS update and benefit applications
Active duty-level benefits continue for surviving dependents
Transition to retiree-dependent TRICARE rates
Surviving spouse remarriage before age 55 ends TRICARE eligibility
Action Checklist
- Work with Casualty Assistance Officer for all benefit transitions
- Verify all surviving dependents are current in DEERS
- Obtain death certificate copies
- Apply for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Understand the 3-year active duty benefit period
- Review TRICARE plan options for surviving dependents
- Apply for Survivors' Benefits Plan (SBP) payments if applicable
- Update ID cards for surviving family members
- Contact TRICARE regional contractor for coverage questions
- Explore Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) support
Plan Impact
Surviving dependents of active duty deaths receive three years of TRICARE coverage at active duty family member rates (TRICARE Prime or Select with no enrollment fees). After three years, they transition to retiree-level TRICARE benefits. Surviving dependents of retirees continue coverage at retiree-dependent rates. Surviving spouses who remarry before age 55 lose TRICARE eligibility unless the marriage ends.
Cost Impact
For the first three years after an active duty death, surviving dependents pay no enrollment fees and have no cost-shares. After three years, standard retiree dependent cost-shares apply. Surviving dependents of retirees pay standard retiree enrollment fees. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA provides additional financial support.
Required Forms & Documents
- DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty)
- DD Form 1172-2 (DEERS update for surviving dependents)
- Death certificate
- Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse eligibility)
- Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA Form 21-534EZ)
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