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DFAS Retiree Newsletter 

March 2025 Retiree Newsletter

Click here to download a PDF of the March 2025 Retiree Newsletter

Director's Message

Welcome to the March 2025 Retiree Newsletter!

Gray Area Retiree Spotlight: Retiree Disability Entitlements that Reduce the Impact of the VA Waiver
In this spotlight, we explore two entitlements which were set up to reduce the impact of the VA waiver on retirees who are eligible.

Changes Coming in June for Retirees Who Pay SBP Monthly Premiums Directly
Changes are coming in June that may affect the way you pay SBP monthly premiums if you currently need to pay these premiums directly because they cannot be deducted from your pay.

Military Retired Pay Tax Season Tips
The April 15, 2025 tax deadline is arriving soon and now is a good time to make sure you have all your tax documents ready. 

Establishing a Special Needs Trust for SBP - New Checklist Now Available
We now have a helpful checklist to use when submitting a Special Needs Trust request. 

New Resource Available: askDFAS Tips Video
We are proud to announce we have a new “askDFAS Tips” video available for you on the DFAS YouTube channel!  

Why You Should Attend a Retiree Appreciation Day
Retiree Appreciation Days, also called RADs, are a great way for retirees to get information regarding your military retired pay. 

News From Our Partners: Real ID Act and NextGen ID Card 
At some time in the future old forms of ID will not be valid to access a military installation and you will need a NextGen ID card.

News From Our Partners: Have You Recently Retired from Service? Explore Your FEDVIP Options Today
If you recently retired from the uniformed services, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) is available to you. 

News From Our Partners: USAF Memo - Leadership’s Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign Kickoff Memo
As we launch our campaign's 52nd anniversary in February 2025, we again reach out to you, our retired Air Force and Space Force family.

2025 Pay Calendar
To help you plan for 2025, below is a list of the days you should expect to receive your pay.

Click here to download a PDF of the March 2025 Retiree Newsletter 
Download a PDF of the newsletter to read, print or share (right click and choose "Save link as" to save to your computer)

December 2024 Retiree Newsletter

Click here to download a PDF of the December 2024 Retiree Newsletter

Director's Message

Welcome to the December 2024 Retiree Newsletter!

Gray Area Retiree Spotlight-How VA Disability Compensation Can Affect Your Retired Pay 
Many military retirees who are eligible for Department of Defense (DoD) retired pay are also eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability pay. The laws and regulations that apply when a retiree is eligible for both types of pay are complex and can be confusing.

Pay.gov Website Replacing the payDFAS Mobile App for SBP Premium Payments
For retirees who receive a monthly Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premium bill from DFAS and prefer to make those payments online, you should now use Pay.gov to make payments instead of the payDFAS Mobile App.

Watch for Changes in Mid-2025 If You Pay SBP/RCSBP Monthly Premiums Through Treasury CRS 
In mid-2025, DFAS will change the payment process for retirees who pay their SBP or RCSBP premiums directly through Treasury CRS.

The askDFAS Refresh – Greatest Hits of 2024 
We hope that you find the new suite of online tools available from the askDFAS Refresh is a great improvement to your experience. 

There’s Still Time to Get a Head Start on Tax Season 
This is the perfect time to double check that everything is correct with your tax documents, so you have them when you are ready to file.

2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) 
Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index, there is a 2.5 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for most retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan annuities, effective December 1, 2024. 

What Retirees Can Expect in the Year-End Mail from DFAS 
For retirees who request their tax statements via postal mail from DFAS, each January we will mail your 1099-R, along with a special print edition of the DFAS Retiree Newsletter with important news for the coming year.

CRDP/CRSC Open Season - Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re eligible for both CRDP and CRSC, CRDP/CRSC Open Season is when DFAS will send you a letter with instructions on how to change your election from one type of payment to the other if you choose.

Retiree Appreciation Events
Come say hello to us at one of these events.

News From Our Partners: Air Force Assistance Fund 51st Annual Campaign Sprint Finish
The 2024 Department of the Air Force’s annual Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign at Air and Space Force Bases worldwide may have wrapped up on Flag Day, but time still remains for a year-end donation, on or after Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, to make an impact!

2025 Pay Calendar
To help you plan for 2025, below is a list of the days you should expect to receive your pay.

Click here to download a PDF of the December 2024 Retiree Newsletter
Download a PDF of the newsletter to read, print or share (right click and choose "Save link as" to save to your computer)
 

September 2024 Retiree Newsletter

Click here to download a PDF of the September 2024 Retiree Newsletter

Director’s Message

Welcome to the September 2024 Retiree Newsletter!

Gray Area Retiree Spotlight: Certain Service Time Qualifies for Retired Pay Before Age 60
Generally, Gray Area Retirees can begin receiving retired pay at age 60. However, certain types of service during specific times will qualify a Gray Area Retiree to begin receiving retired pay earlier than age 60.  

Employment Compensation from a Foreign Government Can Impact Your Retired Pay
Did You Know: Your military retired pay can be impacted if you receive compensation from a foreign government without advance permission?

The askDFAS Refresh is Here: Come, Take it for a Spin! 
Have you had a chance to visit and take the new askDFAS for a spin? Take advantage of the new and reorganized suite of tools.

Another Tax Season is Right Around the Corner: Are You Prepared?
The next tax season will be here before you know it and we want to make sure that you are prepared for it.

Prepare Your Loved Ones: How to Report the Death of a Retiree or SBP Annuitant
it is important that, upon death, DFAS is promptly notified so that a retiree or SBP annuitant’s monthly payment can be suspended to prevent any overpayments.

Retiree Appreciation Events
Below is a list of Retiree Appreciation Days that DFAS will participate in during 2024. If you live near one of the events, please come and say “Hello.”

News From Our Partners: DoD Uniformed Services ID Card Reissuance
In July 2020, DoD began the transition from the paper-based Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card to a more secure, Next Generation USID card. Retirees and their eligible dependents are encouraged to have their paper-based USID card replaced at their convenience. 

News From Our Partners: 2024 Air Force Assistance Fund 51st Annual Campaign
Year after year, our faithful retiree force comes through with donations given from the heart. 

News From Our Partners: Military OneSource Support for Your Transition to Civilian Life
If you’re newly retired from the military, Military OneSource is available to help ensure your transition is successful. Veterans and their families have full access to Military OneSource resources and support for 365 days from their retirement date.
News From Our Partners: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Celebrating 120 Years of Service
Providing over 5 million Sailors and Marines with $2 billion in financial assistance! NMCRS can “be there” when a Sea Service member is in need, because of donors like you. 
Click here to download a PDF of the September 2024 Retiree Newsletter
Download a PDF of the newsletter to read, print or share (right click and choose "Save link as" to save to your computer)

June 2024 Retiree Newsletter

Click here to download a PDF of the June 2024 Retiree Newsletter

Director’s Message
Welcome to the June 2024 Retiree Newsletter!

Gray Area Retiree Spotlight: New Online Tools Available To You After You Start Retired Pay
We continue to look for ways to make managing your retired pay account (after you apply and start receiving retired pay) easier and more convenient.  

askDFAS Refresh: Making Tools Easier to Use
On May 16, 2024, we refreshed the “Ask Retired Pay” module of askDFAS to make it easier to navigate.  

askDFAS Refresh: Detailed Tour for Retirees
We are excited for you to explore and use all the functionality now available in askDFAS! 

askDFAS Refresh: Detailed Tour for SBP Annuitants
We are very excited to provide these new options to customers as part of the askDFAS Refresh! 

Retiree Pay Account Check-up
Keeping your account current will ensure that DFAS can get in touch with you if there is information you need to know about your retired pay.

Obtaining a Verification of Pay (VOP) Letter for Retirees and SBP Annuitants
Need a ‘Verification of Pay’ letter? You have options.

School Certification Season for SBP Child Annuitants
Child annuitants ages 18 to-22 who are attending school on a full-time basis should receive their annual school certification packets in the mail. 

Retiree Appreciation Events
Come say hello to us at one of these events.

News from Our Partners: Navy MWR Events
CNIC is pleased to announce an upcoming recreation initiative intended to foster participant readiness, enhance resiliency, build vibrant communities, and support fun across Navy installations. 

News from Our Partners: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: Celebrating 120 years of service - providing over 5 million Sailors and Marines with $2 billion in financial assistance! 
NMCRS can “be there” when a Sea Service member is in need, because of donors like you. 

News from Our Partners: Recently retired from service? Take advantage of your FEDVIP enrollment period. 
Retiring uniformed service members are considered newly eligible for FEDVIP. 

News from Our Partners: 2024 Air Force Assistance Fund 51st Annual Campaign
The 2024 Department of the Air Force’s annual Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign at Air and Space Force Bases worldwide continued through Flag Day (June 14) this year! 

Click here to download a PDF of the June 2024 Retiree Newsletter
Download a PDF of the June newsletter to read, print or share (right click and choose "Save link as" to save to your computer)


Note: The information on this website is provided to explain typical situations regarding retiree and annuitant benefits. For details and exceptions, please see applicable laws, financial management regulations, and instructions.

Page Updated Mar 26 2025