(a) All legal beneficiaries described in § 48.102 must be named at the date of retirement pursuant to the option elected. Although a member without dependents may make an election, it will not be effective unless he has eligible dependents at the time of his retirement.

(b) When a change in family status occurs prior to retirement which would effect a change as provided in § 48.204(e), new DD Form 1688, 1 Election of Options, Retired Servicemen's Family Protection Plan, should be filed to evidence such change.