International Direct Deposit (IDD) Expanded to 38 Additional Countries

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) recently initiated International Direct Deposit (IDD) for U.S. military retirees and annuitants living outside the United States. The first five countries included Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom where IDD availability was effective with the December 1, 2005 pay date. The program allows U.S. military retirees and annuitants to have their monthly payments sent electronically to their local banks where they reside.  Deposits are made in the local currency rather than U.S. dollars, saving many the expense of converting dollars for use in the local economy.

In addition to possible savings, IDD is proving a safer and quicker way for retirees and annuitants to receive their pay.  Payments arrive in bank accounts on the same day they are released from DFAS and the Federal Reserve Bank in New York.  For those receiving checks via mail, IDD also offers an alternative to lost, misrouted or stolen mail, thus reducing the chances of check and identity theft.

The IDD program for DFAS will enter another phase in February 2006 when enrollment packages are sent to retirees and annuitants living in 38 additional countries.  Beginning in February, enrollment packages will be sent to retirees and annuitants living in the following countries:  Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, Greece, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago.

Each enrollment package will include the necessary instructions, form, and return envelope to begin requests for IDD service.  DFAS Retired and Annuitant Pay officials urge each enrollee to make sure the form is accurately completed and signed.  Incomplete or incorrect bank account numbers, names or addresses will require sending the form back and delaying the process.  One item that might be overlooked is the name used in an individual’s bank account – it must match the name in their DFAS pay account.  Otherwise, it may be misrouted once it is received by the bank.  We want everyone who chooses IDD to start as soon as possible, so account accuracy is essential.

More information on IDD is available on the Web at http://www.dfas.mil/money/retired/IDD.htm.  Military retirees and annuitants without Internet access are encouraged to call 00-1-216-522-5955 to speak with a Retired and Annuitant Pay customer service representative.  Although IDD does not affect a large percentage of the retiree and annuitant population, readers of this Retired Pay Newsletter are encouraged to share this information with those members living overseas with whom they have contact.