Why can't I see this month's Retiree Account Statement on myPay?
Retiree Account Statements are only generated when there is a change in your pay amount. If your pay does not change, a new RAS is not generated.

How does the Thrift Savings Plan differ from the Military Retirement System?
Military retired pay is a defined benefit program. This means that the benefit you receive from the military retirement system is based on your years of service and the rank you hold at the time of your retirement, rather than on the amount of your contributions and earnings.

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), on the other hand, is a defined contribution plan. The balance in your TSP account will depend on how much you have contributed to your account during your working years and the earnings on those contributions. Participation in the TSP is optional. You must sign up through your service. You contribute to the TSP from your own pay, and the money you contribute and the earnings attributable to your contributions belong to you. They are yours to keep even if you do not serve the 20 years ordinarily necessary to receive military retired pay.

For more information on the Thrift Savings Plan, visit http://www.tsp.gov/uniserv/features/index.html (Link will open in a separate window)

What is the DIEMS Date (Date Initially Entered Military Service) and what is it used for?
The Date Initially Entered Military Service (DIEMS) is the earliest date of enlistment, induction, or appointment in a regular or reserve component of a uniformed service as a commissioned officer or enlisted member. The DIEMS is used solely to indicate which retirement plan a member is under.

For more information, visit the Secretary of Defense Military Pay Web site .

How do I change my retired pay beneficiary?
Complete the Designation of Beneficiary form and fax it to (800) 469-6559 or mail it to

Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retirement Pay
P.O. Box 7130
London, KY 40742-7130

The Designation of Beneficiary form is used to designate an Arrears-Of-Pay (AOP) beneficiary. The AOP is a one-time payment payable upon the retiree's death and encompasses any remaining unpaid entitlement to retired pay. For example, the beneficiary of a retiree who passes away on the 16th of the month should receive sixteen days worth of retired pay.

Where can I find information regarding reserve retirement?
Each branch of service has a Web site that specifically addresses their reserve retirements. Please use one of the links below.

Navy: http://www.npc.navy.mil/careerinfo/reservepersonnelmanagement

Marines: http://mobcom.mfr.usmc.mil

Army: http://www.armyg1.army.mil/rso/rngr.asp

Air Force: https://arpc.afrc.af.mil

Coast Guard: http://www.uscg.mil/hr/psc/ras/