The askDFAS Refresh – Greatest Hits of 2024 

The DFAS Retired Pay office overlooks beautiful downtown Cleveland and the shores of Lake Erie. Also within view is the world-renowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many of the inductees produce an album of their greatest hits from their illustrious careers. In the same spirit, let’s end 2024 by surveying our greatest hits from the content we shared about the askDFAS Refresh and enhancements to our online tools. It was a big year! Please keep this article handy as it will be a great reference for you and your loved ones moving into the new year and beyond. 

The More Things Change 

In one of their more-recent releases, the hall of famers from Bon Jovi remind us that the more things change, the more they stay the same. With the new, improved askDFAS layout, we can truly say that we resemble that remark! Before you become concerned about too much change, it is important to remember that the core askDFAS functionality has not changed. 

The “Ask Retired Pay” module on askDFAS uses the same URL as before. Find it here: https://corpweb1.dfas.mil/askDFAS/custMain.action?mid=12 

Once you arrive, you will also find a similar mixture of online tools available to you, though they are reorganized and more clearly named and described. You’ll be able to: 

• Use form upload tools (to submit your forms/documents to DFAS for processing) Category: “Retiree – Form Upload Tools;” 

• Ask a question (with a response from the DFAS Cleveland Customer Care Center to follow) Category: “Retiree – Ask A Question;” 

• Complete certain self-service requests in Category: “Self-Service Account Changes;” and 

• Report a death in Category: “Report a Death / Survivor – Ask a Question.”  

*Important note: the online tool to Report the Death of a Retiree will soon be moved into this category as well. For now, it will remain under the “Retired Pay” category until it can be moved to its new location.

As part of askDFAS Refresh improvements, we began by organizing it in the most logical manner by clarifying the names of some subcategories so it’s easier for you to know where to direct your requests. We also added helpful reminders and more instructions on the tickets to ensure your submission is successful. 

Good Vibrations 

We’ve received some great feedback from you about the new tools available as part of the askDFAS Refresh. Let’s end this article with a reminder of the resources we have available for you to make the most of the new askDFAS suite of online tools. 

The Quick Tools Page is our hub to help you locate our most-requested capabilities. You can find it here: https://www.dfas.mil/raquicktools 

On the Quick Tools page, there is a dedicated section for the askDFAS Refresh. It is called “Check Out Our New Online Tools to Make Managing Your Pay Account Easier!” 

From this section, you will be able to find links to explainer webpages. One explainer page is for retirees and the other is for SBP annuitants. Each page provides full functionality details and helps direct you to the appropriate place to complete your request. Whether you’re there to upload a form or document, ask a question, complete a self-service request, or report a death, these pages provide all the information you need.

While you familiarize yourself with the askDFAS Refresh, don’t forget that at the bottom of each explainer page there is a link to our helpful PDF “Customer Guide to Online Tools.” 

Please save or print this guide and keep it handy as you manage your pay and entitlements. And don’t forget to share it with fellow retirees or with SBP annuitants! You may also find the guide here: https://www.dfas.mil/raguideonlinetools 

We know that change can bring about uncertainties, but we are confident that you will find these online tools intuitive and convenient. With all these support resources, you have everything you need to succeed! 

Curtain Call 

We hope that you find the new suite of online tools available from the askDFAS Refresh is a great improvement to your experience. 
We aren’t going to make this our farewell tour. We’re heading right back into the “studio” to bring you more tools and resources in 2025 and beyond!

Please be on the lookout for more information in the next edition of the retiree newsletter. We’ll conclude today’s performance with a comprehensive overview of all the tools available to you. Please keep this information handy as you manage your pay. Happy holidays from all of us here at DFAS Retired Pay! 

List of askDFAS Online Tools for Retirees, Annuitants, and Survivors 

Below you will find a complete overview of askDFAS Online Tools available following the askDFAS Refresh. The list below includes an overview of ALL tools, including those for SBP annuitants and survivors, so that you can be aware of all the ways we can serve customers. Each section explains which tools pertain to retirees, SBP annuitants/survivors, or both. 

Category Name: Report a Death/Survivor-Ask a Question 
Tool: Retiree Notification of Death  
Reminder: At this time, the “Report the Death of a Retiree” online tool is still housed in the “Retired Pay” category. It will be moved to this category soon.  
New Tool: SBP Annuitant Notification of Death  
New Tool: Final Pay of a Deceased Retiree – Questions 
New Tool: Starting SBP Annuity Pay – Questions 

TOOLS FOR RETIREES 

Self-Service Account Change Tools for Retirees 

Category Name: Self-Service Account Changes 
Tool: Mailing Address Update – Retirees 
New Tool: Request Verification of Pay Letter 

Online Form Upload Tools for Retirees 

Category Name: Retiree-Form Upload Tools 
Tool: General Retiree Documents – Upload 
(Use this tool if the document does not fit one of the specific tools below) 
Tool: Active Duty Retirement Ppwk – Upload 
Tool: DD 2558 – Allotment Updates – Upload 
Tool: DD 2894 – Desig of Beneficiary – Upload 
Tool: Power of Attorney/3^rd Party Doc – Upload 
Tool: Reserve/Guard Retirement Ppwk – Upload 
Tool: Retiree DOHA Appeal – Upload 
Tool: SBP DD 2656-1 – Upload 
Tool: SBP DD 2656-2 – Upload 
Tool: SBP DD 2656-6 – Upload 
Tool: SBP DD 2656-8 – Upload 
Tool: SBP Open Season Discontinuation 
Tool: SBP Open Season Enrollments 
Tool: Tax Withholding Changes – Upload 

All New: Ask a Question Options for Retirees 

Category Name: Retiree – Ask a Question 
Tool: Disability Entitlements – Questions 
Tool: General / Form / Document – Questions 
Tool: General Disability Pay – Questions 
Tool: International Direct Deposit – Questions 
Tool: Payment Inquiry – Questions 
Tool: Survivor Benefit Plan – Questions 


TOOLS FOR SBP ANNUITANTS 

Self-Service Account Tools for SBP Annuitants 

Category Name: Self-Service Account Changes 
New Tool: Mailing Address Update – SBP Annuitants 
New Tool: Request Verification of Pay Letter 


Online Form Upload Tools for SBP Annuitants 

Category Name: SBP Annuitant/Survivor-Form Upload Tools 
 
Tool: SBP Annuitant Documents – Upload 
(Use this tool if the document does not fit one of the specific tools below) 
Tool: DD 2656-7 – Claim SBP Annuity – Upload 
Tool: DD 2788 – Child Ann School Cert -Upload 
Tool: DD 2828 – Child Ann Phys Cert – Upload 
Tool: DFAS 9415 – Ann Rep Payee Cert – Upload 
Tool: Power of Attorney/3^rd Party Doc – Upload 
Tool: SBP Annuitant DOHA Appeal – Upload 
Tool: SBP-Marital Status Update – Upload 
Tool: SF 1174 – Arrears of Pay (AOP) – Upload 
Tool: Tax Withholding Changes – Upload

All New: Ask a Question Options for SBP Annuitants 

Category Name: SBP Annuitant-Ask a Question 
Tool: Annual Eligibility/School Cert-Questions 
Tool: General / Form / Document – Questions 
Tool: Payment Inquiry – Questions 
Tool: Starting SBP Annuity Pay – Questions