What is the purpose of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)?

• A. It pays for medical costs.
• B. It provides ongoing income to beneficiaries after a member's death; enrollment affects retirement planning and family security.
• C. It grants education benefits.
• D. It provides travel allowances.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the Survivor Benefit Plan provides ongoing income to a designated survivor after a service member dies. It’s designed to protect the family’s financial security by turning part of the member’s retirement coverage into a continuous monthly annuity for a spouse or eligible dependent. When someone enrolls in SBP, a portion of their retirement pay funds the plan; after death, the chosen beneficiary receives a monthly payment that helps replace the member’s lost income. The amount chosen can affect how much retirement pay the member has while alive, and it’s specifically about providing survivor income, not paying medical costs, education benefits, or travel allowances.