End of Checks to And From DFAS

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. If you receive a monthly check from DFAS, we encourage you to switch to an electronic option for your payment. The following list provides information about fast, secure, and convenient electronic payment options that 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 customers living overseas, if the country you live in has an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department, DFAS can deposit your 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 customers living overseas, if the country you live in does not have an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department, 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), 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. 

If you currently remit your Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums to DFAS via paper check, we encourage you to switch to one of the two alternative fast, secure, and convenient payment options listed below.   
 

1. Make your payments online using your checking/savings account or debit card on the Pay.gov website. Use the “DOD Military Retired Pay SBP Premium” online form at https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1463931154. Please allow four business days for processing. 

2. If applicable, request to have your monthly SBP premium payments deducted from your VA disability compensation payments, so you don’t have to worry about making payments each month. Complete DD Form 2891 Interim, which is available on our Forms Library webpage at https://www.dfas.mil/raforms.  

Please see our Paying for SBP webpage at https://www.dfas.mil/payforsbp for more information. We will continue to update our website and send updated communications as additional guidance is received. 

Information about retired military pay is available on the DFAS website at https://www.dfas.mil/ret. You may also contact a customer service representative at (317) 212-0551 or (800) 321-1080 (see operating hours on our website) for additional assistance.