"...Retired pay stops when you die!
The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) helps make up for the loss of part of this income. It pays your eligible survivors an inflation-adjusted monthly income.
You must pay premiums for SBP coverage once you retire. Premiums are taken by reducing retired pay, so they don't count as income. This means less tax and less out-of-pocket cost for SBP..."
Read more at militarypay.defense.gov
