MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Life after loss is a very confusing and complex time. Attending to the affairs of the deceased and the immediate surviving family members along with addressing survivor benefits can be difficult to say the least. Fortunately, the Maxwell AFB Casualty Assistance Office is here to assist you with that process.
The Casualty Assistance Representative’s (CAR) primary goals are to provide accurate reporting, humane notification and compassionate assistance to the next of kin for as long as needed to ensure potential benefits are explained and applied for. CARs also provide limited casualty services to members of sister services, certain foreign nationals, and civilians.
The Casualty Assistance Office is also responsible for briefing retiring members and spouses on the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). This program protects a portion of the retiree’s income and makes it payable to an eligible surviving beneficiary (spouse, child). SBP is provided to all active-duty service members at no cost. This provides 55% of the retirement income a member would have received at the time of death. At retirement, AF members must elect to continue this coverage. Costs for full coverage equals to 6.5% of the retired pay with options available to elect a reduced coverage. The annuity is 55% of the retiree’s retired income, or 55% of the reduced coverage amount selected by the retiree.
Other services offered by the Casualty Assistance Office includes submitting SGLI/FSGLI/TSGLI claims, ID Card scheduling for surviving spouses and other DEERS members, proving estimates on SBP premiums and annuities.
The Maxwell Casualty Assistance Office serves both the Maxwell and Gunter communities and can be reach by contacting Mark Goodvine at DSN 493-5048, 334-953-5048 or by email at mark.goodivne.1@us.af.mil. You can also locate the office at the Military & Family Readiness Center located in Bldg 677 Room 4 on Maxwell AFB.