[Decision Concerning Navy's Denial of Reservist's Widow's Claim for Survivor Benefit Plan Annuity]

The Navy requested a decision regarding a deceased retired Navy reservist's widow's claim for a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity. The Navy denied the claim because the claimant married the decedent less than a year before his death. The claimant contended that she was entitled to the annuity because she married the decedent before he became eligible to collect retirement pay. GAO held that the Navy properly applied the 1-year limitation, because the decedent's beneficiary would have collected an annuity had he died before becoming eligible for retirement pay. Accordingly, the claim was denied.