[Retired Air Force Member's Claim for Refund of Survivor Benefit Plan Costs]

A retired Air Force member requested reconsideration of his denied claim for a refund of his Survivor Benefit Plan coverage costs. The claimant contended that he was entitled to a refund, since he and his wife were now divorced, thus making her ineligible for either an annuity or a refund, since they were now divorced. GAO held that the: (1) plan prohibited refunds of properly assessed costs to participants except in limited circumstances; and (2) termination of the claimant's marriage was not a basis for refund. Accordingly, the claim was denied.