R&A Pay establishes, maintains and pays military retirees, and their eligible surviving spouses and other family members.
Who We Are, What We Do
Who to Contact? DFAS, the VA or the Military
How Long Does It Take?
LATEST NEWS
Retiree Newsletter
Find out the latest news and other helpful information.
Retiree payments will be made as scheduled on March 31, 2023. Annuitant payments will be made as scheduled on April 3, 2023.
Retirees and Annuitants: 2022 Tax Year Statements
2022 tax statements for retirees available in myPay as of Dec. 15, 2022
2022 tax statements for annuitants available in myPay as of Dec. 15, 2022
2022 tax statements for former spouses available in myPay as of Dec. 15, 2022
Tax statements sent through the U.S. Postal Service are in the mail. In many cases, the electronic online forms are available through myPay (https://mypay.dfas.mil) much earlier and more securely than those sent to customers electing delivery by mail.
1099-R Reissues can now be mailed. beginning February 10, 2023. Retirees and annuitants can request a 1099-R reissue online: https://dvidshub.net/r/8bu5qm The online 1099R reissue tool also accepts international addresses.
NDAA 2023 SBP Open Season - See Our Special Focus Webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 includes a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Open Season. The SBP Open Season began on December 23, 2022 and ends on January 1, 2024.
The SBP Open Season allows for retirees receiving retired pay, eligible members, or former members awaiting retired pay who who were NOT enrolled in SBP or RCSBP (Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan) as of December 22, 2022 to enroll.For retirees currently receiving retired pay, the SBP Open Season Letter of Intent and basic FAQs about the enrollment process are now available on our special focus webpage.
The SBP Open Season also allows eligible members and former members who were enrolled in SBP or RCSBP (Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan) as of December 22, 2022 to permanently discontinue their SBP coverage. For retirees currently receiving retired pay, the SBP Open Season Discontinuance Form and FAQs surrounding discontinuing participation in the Plan are now available on our special focus webpage.
DFAS is working to finalize the forms and processes for enrollment during this SBP Open Season. Please check our special focus webpage for the most up-to-date news and information: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23.
It's Here! SBP-DIC Offset Elimination - First Payment for Phase Three: February 1, 2023
Beginning with the February 1, 2023 payday, the SBP-DIC Offset was fully eliminated. That means spouses now receive their full SBP monthly payments from DFAS and their full Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payment from the VA.
The Special Survivors Indemnity Allowance (SSIA) will no longer be paid.
Find out more:
Check Out Our Quick Reference Guide!
Listen to our Military OneSource podcast episode explaining the SBP-DIC Offset Elimination
Watch our Military OneSource webinar explaining the SBP-DIC Offset Elimination
See our full range of FAQs on the SBP-DIC News webpage.
Please keep in mind that the SBP payment you received on January 3, 2023 is for your December entitlement, which included the 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). It is NOT the first payment with the elimination of the Offset.
*Note: the change in the law does NOT affect the amount of DIC you receive from the VA. You should continue to receive your normal DIC amount from the VA.*
Special Information for Active Duty/Line of Duty Surviving Spouses Who Elected the Optional Annuity for Dependent Children - February 1, 2023 Payday was the Day
February 1, 2023 was the first payday after the 2023 changes to the SBP Optional Child Annuity.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 directed that as of January 1, 2023, the Optional Annuity for Dependent Children will be eliminated and the SBP annuity payment must revert to the surviving spouse (if the spouse submits documentation and is eligible).
Find out more:
Check Out Our Quick Reference Guide!
Listen to our Military OneSource podcast episode explaining the SBP Optional Child Annuity Reversion
Watch our Military OneSource webinar explaining the SBP Optional Child Annuity Reversion
See our full range of FAQs on the SBP Optional Child Annuity Reversion webpage
Please check our special focus webpage for news and information regarding the changes: https://www.dfas.mil/sbp2023childoptrev
If you are the surviving spouse of an Active Duty/Line of Duty member who requested to have the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity paid directly to an eligible dependent child or children and you have NOT submitted a Spouse Eligibility Packet, we need your information as soon as possible. Please download, fill out and submit the eligibility packet from our special focus webpage as soon as possible: https://www.dfas.mil/sbp2023childoptrev
If you are the surviving child or the parent or guardian of a surviving child of an Active Duty/Line of Duty member whose surviving spouse requested to have the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity paid directly to the child or children at the time of the member’s passing, please see our special focus webpage for more information: https://www.dfas.mil/sbp2023childoptrev
2023 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index, there is an 8.7 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for most retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan annuities effective Dec. 1, 2022.
Retirees saw the change in their Dec. 30, 2022 payment and annuitants in their Jan. 3, 2023 payment.
For details, see the Fiscal Year 2023 COLA Memorandum:
https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Retirement/cola
Helpful Tips & Tools for Retirees New to Retired Pay - Download and Share!
We have helpful tips for you if you are new to Retired Pay: Quick links to the pay calendar, information about taxes and SBP, the VA Waiver, CRDP, CRSC, and more!
Right click HERE and choose save as to download your PDF today!
Military Retired Pay Taxation Tips
Military retired pay is paid for many different reasons under many different laws. There are differences in the types of pay a military retiree might receive and the tax laws that apply to them. Whether a portion or all of an individual’s military retired pay is subject to federal income taxes depends on his/her individual circumstances.
A military retiree can either use myPay or send an IRS Form W-4 to alter the amount DFAS withholds for federal income taxes from their military retired pay.
An individual’s choice to have no withholding for federal taxes does not impact whether the individual’s military retired pay is actually subject to federal income taxes. Ultimately, the IRS will determine the amount of taxes owed on the military retired pay.
Please note: the IRS requires any individual claiming exemption from federal withholding to provide a new Form W-4 at the beginning of each tax year certifying their exemption from withholding.
Please see our webpage regarding taxation of retired pay: https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/manage/taxes/isittaxable
DFAS cannot provide tax advice. Please consult a tax professional or the IRS.
Retirees and Guardians/Legal Representatives of Retirees
We are working to simplify the process of verifying continuing eligibility for retirees. The newest change reduces the number of retirees who need to submit a Report of Existence (ROE). Now, the only retirees who need to submit an ROE are those who receive a paper check to a foreign address. Previously, the legal representatives for all incapacitated retirees were required to submit an ROE twice each year.
Great News for Reserve and Guard Gray Area Retirees
If you’re retired from the Guard or Reserve but not yet at the age to receive retired pay, we have important news for you. Gray Area Retirees now have a new way to stay connected and informed between the time they stop drilling and when they receive retired pay. It’s a new kind of myPay account that helps you keep your contact information current so that you can stay on top of your future retired pay. Click here for the Retiree Newsletter article or click here to find out how to log on.
SBP Student Child Annuitants: Need to submit your school cert? We have helpful tools for you!
We have helpful tools and info for you: a Form Wizard to help you fill out the DD 2788 form easily and correctly, a special How-To Checklist, and an online upload tool on DFAS.mil.
Check them out on the School Certifications webpage.
Retired & Annuitant Pay Customer Service Local Phone Number Changed
The local phone number to reach Retired & Annuitant Pay Customer Service changed. The new number is: 317-212-0551.
The 216-522-5955 local phone number is no longer available to use (after July 1, 2022).
The DSN number to reach Retired & Annuitant Pay Customer Service also changed. The new DSN number is 699-0551.
This change does NOT affect the toll-free number (1-800-321-1080). The toll-free number remains the same.
Annuitants and Guardians/Legal Representatives of Annuitants
We are working to simplify the process of verifying continuing eligibility for Survivor Benefit Plan annuitants. The newest change reduces the number of annuitants who need to submit a Report of Existence (ROE). Now, the only annuitants who need to submit an ROE are those who receive a paper check to a foreign address. Previously, the legal representatives for all incapacitated annuitants were required to submit an ROE twice each year.
There is an overview and a downloadable PDF fact sheet of the eligibility verification requirements for annuitants on our “Manage Your SBP Annuity” webpage." We hope this information will help our customers better understand their role in keeping their annuity accounts current.
New Status Notifications Rolling Out
Retired & Annuitant Pay is rolling out new, helpful Status Notifications to keep you in the loop as forms or documents you submit move through the retired pay or annuitant pay processing cycles. The Status Notifications will be sent primarily via SmartDoc email, so make sure you have an up-to-date email in your myPay profile so you can receive them.
Spouses and Children of Recently-Deceased Retirees
We have tools and information to assist you with the SF 1174 for claiming the retiree’s Arrears of Pay. We can now deposit an Arrears of Pay (AOP) payment directly to an eligible claimant’s bank account instead of mailing a check. And we have an online upload option that will provide you with status notifications. Please see the How to Claim Arrears of Pay Using the 1174 page for details.
Spouses, Eligible Former Spouses, and Children of Deceased Retirees
We have tools and information to assist you with the DD Form 2656-7 for starting a Survivor Benefit Plan Annuity. We have a Form Wizard to help fill out the form correctly and easily. And we have an online upload option that will provide you with status notifications. Please see the Start an SBP Annuity page for details.
Processing Time Frames - How Long Does It Take?
Please see our new webpage for current typical processing time frames: How Long Does It Take?
R&A Pay is Expanding Communication through Emailed SmartDocs
As part of our commitment to continually improving our customer service, R&A Pay is expanding the use of emailed SmartDocs as a way to communicate about changes to your account and actions that may be needed. Email notifications will speed up the time it takes to notify you about your account. If you don’t yet have an email address in myPay, please add one now so you can receive these email notifications.
A treasury mandate requires us to pay our customers electronically. Most military retirees and annuitants getting paper checks need to set up direct deposit. Start direct deposit now.
Direct Express® Debit Card Program provides members who do not have a bank account an alternative to payment by EFT.
FIND IT FAST
HOW DO I?
The most convenient way to manage your retirement account is through myPay, our online account management system.
myPay Login Instructions:
If you've never logged into myPay
*Note: The information on this website is provided to explain typical situations regarding retiree and annuitant benefits. For details and exceptions, please see applicable laws, financial management regulations, and instructions.
Page updated March 13, 2023