B-229157: Jan 11, 1988

Retired service member is authorized by our Office since the record indicates that the member never obtained a divorce from his first wife before entering into a ceremonial marriage with another woman. She is entitled to an SBP annuity when the member made an election for his surviving spouse. 2. The legal widow of a retired service member is entitled to a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity even...

B-229157: Jan 11, 1988

A deceased Navy member's widow appealed her denied claim for payments under his survivor benefit plan. GAO had held that the claimant failed to prove that she was the deceased's legal widow. In her appeal, the claimant contended that: (1) she had a valid marriage certificate; (2) the deceased had initiated but dropped divorce proceedings; and (3) the deceased's alleged marriage to another person w...