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[Decision Concerning Incapacitated Survivor Benefit Plan Annuitants' Management of Annuity Payments]

B-226018 Mar 18, 1987
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Highlights

The son of a retired Army officer's widow requested a review of the Army's decision not to honor the annuity application form he filed, acting under a power of attorney she granted him due to her impaired vision. The Army stated that it could pay the annuity either: (1) directly to the annuitant upon her personal application; or (2) directly to a court-appointed guardian if she were physically or mentally incapacitated. GAO held that there was no basis for the Army to object to the annuitant's son acting under a power of attorney to assist her in completing and filing the annuity application form, since the annuitant was capable of managing her own personal financial affairs and the application requested that payments be made directly to her. Accordingly, the Army should pay the benefits directly to the annuitant.

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