Executive Order 14247 – Do You Receive Your Annuity By Mailed Paper Check?

If you are a Survivor Benefit Plan annuitant who already receives your monthly annuity by direct deposit (i.e. electronic funds transfer – EFT) into your bank account, this article does not pertain to you; no action is required. 

On March 25, 2025, the President of the United States signed Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account. This Executive Order focuses on transitioning all federal payments to electronic methods.  

In recent months, DFAS has been contacting impacted Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuitants, encouraging action to set up an electronic payment option. Are you an SBP annuitant who receives your annuity by mailed paper check each month?  If so, let’s review the communications we’ve sent you, and your options.  

First, DFAS mailed those receiving paper checks a letter encouraging a switch to an electronic payment option. SBP annuitants with an email address activated in myPay also received a SmartDoc email with this information. 

DFAS plans to send additional targeted communications when we receive final guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. But if you are affected by this Executive Order, please consider switching to an electronic payment option now! 

The following fast, secure and convenient electronic options are available:    
 

1. Establish an electronic funds transfer (EFT) to a financial institution in the U.S. (Examples: banks, credit unions, etc.). You can start a direct deposit EFT by logging into your myPay account or by completing a direct deposit request form and submitting it to DFAS. Direct deposit request forms can be found at https://www.dfas.mil/raforms under “Bank Account - Start or Change Direct Deposit.” 

2. For SBP annuitants receiving paper checks and living overseas, if the country you live in has an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, DFAS can deposit your annuity payment in a financial institution in that country. You can establish international direct deposit to a bank in your country of residence using instructions available at https://www.dfas.mil/directdepintl.  

3. For SBP annuitants receiving paper checks and living overseas, if the country you live in does not have an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, you can open an account at a financial institution in the U.S. to receive an EFT and then transfer funds internationally. It is easy to open an account online at most U.S. financial institutions (https://fdic.gov/getbanked, https://mapping.ncua.gov), and their webpages have instructions to assist you. Please ensure the U.S. financial institution you choose can process international transfers to your overseas bank. 

4. Get a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard®. Instructions are available at https://www.usdirectexpress.com or call the Card Enrollment Center at 888-741-1115.  

For SBP annuitants impacted by this Executive Order, we are committed to assisting you to ensure a seamless change. We will continue to update www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary and send targeted communications as additional guidance is received. Please consider acting now to switch to an electronic option to receive your pay.