Military Death Abroad: DFAS Benefits, Unpaid Pay, and Survivor Claims

Who This Applies To

When a US military member — active duty, reservist, or retiree — dies abroad, a separate benefits process runs in parallel with the civilian estate administration. This applies whether the person dies on active duty, during travel, or in retirement while living or visiting overseas.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) manages military pay, retirement annuities, and survivor benefits. The claims process for a death abroad follows the same forms and procedures as a domestic military death, but the documentation requirements are harder to satisfy from overseas because the standard proof-of-death documents take longer to obtain from foreign countries.

Unpaid Pay and Allowances (SF 1174)

When a service member or military retiree dies, any pay or allowances earned but not yet disbursed become a debt owed by the government to designated beneficiaries. To claim these funds, the designated beneficiary (usually the surviving spouse) submits Standard Form 1174 — Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Services.

SF 1174 requires:

• Proof of death (the e-CRODA from the US Embassy is an official record when the death occurs abroad — a foreign death certificate alone may trigger additional verification)
• Proof of the claimant's identity and relationship to the deceased
• The deceased's military service records or retirement documentation

For deaths in Israel or other countries, the CRODA typically takes 1 to 3 business days once the application package is submitted to the Embassy. Once the required death certificate and apostille are available, start the CRODA process promptly so the DFAS claim does not stall on its proof-of-death requirement.

Survivor Benefit Plan (DD 2656-7)

Military retirees enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) have an annuity that transfers to their designated beneficiary upon death. The beneficiary must file DD Form 2656-7 — Verification for Survivor Annuity — to activate the payment stream.

Key points:

File the claim promptly. Use DD Form 2656-7 for the military annuity claim, and confirm with DFAS when payments begin and what filing is required.

Ask DFAS to confirm the effective date of any annuity and how processing time affects when monthly payments begin.

DIC interaction. If the surviving spouse may also qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) through the VA, file with both agencies and ask DFAS and VA how the programs coordinate.

How to File from Overseas

DFAS Casualty Care handles all military death benefit claims. From overseas:

Phone: 1-800-321-1080 (DFAS Casualty Care) Mail: Use the current mailing instructions provided by DFAS for the form you are filing.

Both SF 1174 and DD 2656-7 can be submitted by mail. Include certified copies — not originals — of the death certificate (the e-CRODA is accepted) and all supporting documentation. Keep the originals; you'll need them for Social Security, VA, and probate proceedings.

For Social Security matters in Israel, the Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy in Jerusalem (FBU.Jerusalem@SSA.gov) can help with SSA-related notifications; DFAS handles the military claim forms directly.

Common Complications for Deaths Abroad

Delayed proof of death. The e-CRODA is the fastest path, but it depends on the Israeli death certificate and apostille first. If a forensic hold delays the Israeli documentation, the DFAS claim timeline extends in parallel.

Dual benefit coordination. A military retiree who also receives Social Security should notify both agencies separately. Report the death to the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and to DFAS Casualty Care at 1-800-321-1080.

Foreign bank accounts. Account handling depends on the account title and the bank's procedures. Provide the CRODA and probate documents the bank requests, and ask DFAS about redirecting future annuity payments.

The American Dies in Israel — Family Emergency Guide covers the full documentation chain from death notification through probate filing, including worksheets for tracking military, Social Security, and civilian benefit claims in parallel.