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Gray Area Retiree Spotlight: Celebrating Three Years with a Look at Essential Information and Resources


For over three years, the DFAS Retiree Newsletter has proudly featured the "Gray Area Retiree Spotlight Article" as a dedicated space for retirees navigating the transition to retired pay. In celebration of this milestone, we thought it would be the perfect time for everyone to revisit some fundamental and important information and resources—with a few exciting new capabilities sprinkled in for good measure!

If you are a Gray Area Retiree getting ready to apply for retired pay, please remember that your application for retired pay must be submitted directly to your Branch of Service, NOT to DFAS.

Each branch has its own unique processes and timelines for processing applications. We want you to receive your retired pay as soon as you are eligible, so familiarizing yourself with your Service's specific procedures is a critical first step.

That’s why we worked together with your Branch of Service to create special focus webpages with important information on the application process for your specific branch:

Gray Area Retiree – Main Webpage
Army
Navy
Air Force
Marines

A Special Kind of myPay Account for Gray Area Retirees
If you are awaiting pay in the Gray Area, did you know there is a special kind of myPay account available for you? It’s called a “Future Retiree” myPay account, and it was designed to help stay in touch with you with important information.

The key thing every Gray Area Retiree needs to do is log into myPay and access this “Future Retiree” account and make sure updated contact information is on file. Once you have an active account, DFAS can deliver helpful information and timely reminders to you.

For example, one of the most exciting uses for this new account is to deliver an email SmartDoc notification to Gray Area Retirees in the month of your 59th birthday. Most Gray Area Retirees become eligible to apply to your Branch of Service for retired pay at age 60. This email SmartDoc comes to you just as you turn 59, giving you adequate time and information on how to prepare to apply using your Service’s specific procedures.

The Future Retiree myPay account and these helpful SmartDoc messages are only available if you access the account and have a current email address on file. Please help us spread the word about this capability to other Gray Area Retirees!

To assist, we also created a “Gray Area Future Retiree myPay Login Tips” guide to help users leverage this important account and receive SmartDoc email updates. You can find this guide on the main Gray Area Retiree webpage.

"Helpful Tips & Tools for Retirees New to Retired Pay" Reference Guide
As your time in the Gray Area concludes and you prepare to apply for retired pay, a lot of information comes your way—and fast! To help ease your transition, our "Helpful Tips & Tools for Retirees New to Retired Pay" reference guide remains a key resource. This guide is your compass for understanding and managing your retired pay with confidence.

Key highlights of the guide include navigating the transition from a bi-weekly to a monthly pay cycle, accessing your monthly Retiree Account Statement (RAS) and 1099-R tax forms through your myPay account (https://mypay.dfas.mil), navigating taxes in retirement, and the vital financial coordination required with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and DFAS. You can find this guide on the main Gray Area Retiree webpage.

Streamlining Processes with Digital Tools
DFAS offers powerful digital tools to make managing your affairs simpler and more secure.
 
  • The New DD Form 2656 Smart Wizard: the Smart Wizard "takes the form out of the form" by providing guided assistance. As a Gray Area Retiree getting ready to apply for pay, you can look forward to using our new DD 2656 Smart Wizard. Introduced to simplify your retired pay application, this innovative tool walks you through the complex DD Form 2656, ensuring all necessary fields are completed accurately to help prevent processing delays. Remember to submit it to your Branch of Service!
  • AskDFAS Online Upload Tools: Located on the DFAS.mil website, the AskDFAS submission tools are the modern alternative to mail and fax. You can upload your completed forms and requests as a PDF directly from your device, ensuring a faster and more reliable submission.
As you prepare for this important life transition, use these resources to ensure you can manage your retired pay successfully from day one.
 


Page updated June 26, 2026