Director's Message
Greetings from Cleveland! We are seeing signs of spring here after a very cold and snowy February.
While spring brings back the sunshine, it is also a busy time for us: tax season.
If you are still in need of tax documents for your retired or annuitant pay account, there is an article in this issue on convenient options for getting them that don’t involve calling and waiting on hold. You can use myPay to get both current and past tax documents, use our AskDFAS online request form, or use our convenient telephone self-serve ordering option.
We need your help to pay you accurately and on time and eventually, to pay your loved ones. Please check your account statement or check myPay at least once a year and ensure that your account information and your mailing address is correct. And make sure you have an email address in myPay where we can send you information and notifications.
If you are a retiree, please check that your Survivor Benefit Plan beneficiary (SBP) and Arrears of Pay beneficiary information are correct. We also have a good article in this newsletter that will help you ensure your SBP coverage is correct if you want coverage for a former spouse.
You can smooth the way for your loved ones by sharing the article in this issue about what they need to know when you pass away.
Speaking of having an email address in myPay, one of the initiatives we’re excited about this year is the new status notification project. This will provide basic notifications about the receipt and status of a request from our retiree or annuitant customers via an email. We’re still in the early stages, but we want to make sure you know about some of our exciting innovations on the horizon.
Please read the article in this issue on the start of mandatory two-factor authentication for myPay. Two-factor authentication helps keep your online accounts secure and prevents thieves from stealing your personal and financial information.
Spring is the start of another busy time: School Certification season. Last year we made sweeping changes to simplify the process for student SBP annuitants who are over 18 and need to certify their full-time attendance in school. We want to make sure that all of them know what they need to do as the school year ends. There is an article in this newsletter with all of the details.
Finally, our website has a lot of helpful information. Please take a few minutes to check it out: www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary.
I hope you find the articles in this issue helpful. Please share the information with your retired military friends who may not see the online editions of the newsletter.
We thank you for your service and are honored to serve you. Please stay safe and well.