MOAA was thrilled to win legislation phasing out the age-62 Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) "widows tax" in 2004. That law also provided non-enrollees with a one-year "open season," which will give them a chance to protect their spouses under the upgraded SBP, starting Oct. 1, 2005.

Unfortunately, we fear the size of the open-season enrollment fees will deter many potential eligibles from enrolling and taking advantage of the 60-percent increase in SBP benefits.

For those retired more than five years, the fee amounts to their back premiums plus 6.25-percent interest. Perversely, those retired for relatively short periods must pay considerably larger penalties relative to past premiums missed. Someone retired only one year will have to pay four times his or her back premiums.

That's inappropriately punitive. Unfortunately, it's the future widows who will be penalized if these fees deter retired couples from enrolling and taking advantage of the much-improved SBP.

Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-Ret., director of MOAA government relations