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Defense Finance and Accounting Service Providing payment services for the U.S. Department of Defense

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-  Military Member		 
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Homemypayinfotipsandtricks

                        - 2020 IRS W4
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                        - Summary View Documents
                        - Opt In for Electronic Delivery
                        - Use the Right URL
                        - Two-Factor Authentication                            - Initial Set Up
                          - Add Authenticator App
                          - Some Things To Know About Online Security
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#### **myPay Tips & Tricks**

The latest password rules for ***myPay*** are aimed to keep your account safe without complicating your busy life..

Below you can find information and tips about the new passwords.
                        - Problems logging in? Might be your cache
                        - Creating your new password
                        - Things to avoid in creating your new password
                        - Go slow! Typos can add confusion, challenges
                        - Can't remember your new password? Do something about it!

## Problems logging in? Might be your cache

If you’re experiencing problems logging in to ***myPay***, the stored (or cached) pages may be the culprit. Most browsers will allow you to bypass your cache if you use one of the following keystroke combinations:
                        - Ctrl + r
                        - The F5 key
                        - Ctrl + F5 key

If bypassing your cache does not help, you may need to completely clear your cache.  Of course, procedures can vary depending on which operating system you are using, what your Internet options settings are and what browser you’re using.   Operating systems and browsers have Help information available. Just find that menu or icon for Help and type in clearing or deleting cache or offline content in the Search box...then follow the instructions.

Once your cache has been cleared, restart your browser and reload ***myPay***. If you’re still having difficulties, please call our Customer Care Center for further assistance.

How do I set the browser cache to clear upon exiting?

Since directions for clearing the cache vary across browsers, you should see your system administrator, check the manual, use the help option, or call/e-mail your browser vendor's technical support group for instructions and support in setting the browser cache to clear upon exiting. Caching cannot be disabled in every browser, and disabling the caching feature may prevent you from printing your LES.

Accessing from a government work station?

We understand some users may not be able to change some settings from their government workstation.  If after clearing your cache or if you are unable to clear your cache you may also need to clear your SSL slate or select Compatibility View.  Similar to clearing your cache instructions vary by browser.  The instructions here are for Internet Explorer:

Clearing the SSL slate:
                        - Go to the internet browser tool bar
                        - Select Tools
                        - Click on Internet Options
                        - Click on Content Tab
                        - Click on Clear SSL slate
                        - Select OK (pop up)
                        - Select OK
                        - Close browser
                        - Open new browser session
                        - Try logging into myPay

Selecting Compatibility View
                        - Go to the internet browser tool bar
                        - Select Tools
                        - Click on Compatibility View Settings
                        - Type in the Add this website box DFAS.mil and click on Add
                        - Click on Close
                        - Go to the Internet browser tool bar
                        - Select Tools
                        - Click to select Compatibility View
                        - Close browser
                        - Open new browser session
                        - Try logging into  **myPay**

## Creating your new password

The password requirements are available here.

Here's one way to create a strong password you'll remember:

Think of a sentence or phrase that's meaningful to you (i.e., I have zero kids at home now!!).  Use the first letter of each word (use 0 to replace “zero”) and two exclamation marks to create a password (i.e., Ih0kahn!!). 

**Warning:** Do not use this example as your password. Now that it's been widely published, a hacker is likely to try it.

## Things to avoid in creating your new password

For your own protection, please avoid passwords that use dictionary words in any language, personal information (such as your name, birthday, driver's license or passport number), sequences or repeated characters (such as Aa123Bb456Cc789#$), or adjacent letters on your keyboard (like qwerty123456!@#).

## Go slow!! Typos can add confusion, challenges

Whether you’re just creating your new password or entering it to gain access to **myPay**, slow down! Make sure that you enter the letters, numbers and special characters correctly. Make sure the letters are in the correct case (upper or lower). Some users have already experienced difficulties when trying to enter the underscore (_) without using their Shift key, placing a hyphen (-) instead. Hyphens are not valid characters in the new password criteria. And remember that the plus (+) and equal (=) signs are on the same key...make sure you are selecting the correct one!

Use the on-screen keyboard (for computer users only)

Some **myPay **users have experienced problems entering special characters for their new passwords. For instance, some have used a dash or hyphen (-) sign instead of the underscore (_) sign.

 

## Can't remember your new password? Do something about it!

Of course the best way to protect your password is to have it memorized. But longer passwords, differing upper and lower case letters, and numbers can make storing it your memory banks (you know, the one located between your ears) a definite challenge.

Writing down your passwords on paper or typing them in a computer document can expose them to potential theft. But if memorizing them isn’t a good option, remember to store them safely in a lockbox or encrypting the document on your computer’s hard drive.

Password security, and the information that password protects, is your responsibility. Please, take it seriously.

### Stay Connected

#### **Make the Payment of Your Final Paycheck Easier for Your Loved Ones**

After you pass away, a one-time payment of your final paycheck is made to a beneficiary. This is called your Arrears of Pay (AOP). In most cases, the Arrears of Pay will be only the pro-rated amount of your final month’s retirement pay. This is because your entitlement to retirement pay ends on the date of your death. When your death is reported, DFAS will reclaim your final month's pay and audit your account. The amount of the payment owed to you will then be computed (based on the number of days in the month you were alive) and paid to your AOP beneficiary, along with any other money owed to you at the time of your death. To receive this payment, your AOP beneficiary will need to send us a claim form. When we receive word of your death, this claim form will be sent in a condolence package to the AOP beneficiary you designated for your account. **The importance of designating your AOP beneficiary**It’s very important that you designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries in your retired pay account for your Arrears of Pay, and that you keep that information current.  Unless otherwise noted, your AOP beneficiary will also be the person we contact for assistance in closing your account, so it is important to designate a person you trust to handle your affairs.  Failing to designate an AOP beneficiary and keep their contact information current could cause stress and financial hardship for your survivors during an already difficult time, because the final payment could be delayed. When no beneficiary is named, the payment is made to the highest person in what is known as the "Order of Precedence." The Order of Precedence is the federally mandated order of inheritance that applies to legacies without a designated beneficiary. It can take many months to locate your survivors, identify who comes highest in the Order of Precedence, and then make the payment.  That's why having a current, correct and complete beneficiary designation on file is important to prevent delays or errors in your arrears payment.  We also suggest you limit the number of your AOP beneficiaries to avoid delays in payment. Remember that the AOP payment is usually less than one month’s pay, and this amount will be divided among all of your designated beneficiaries.  Keep in mind that designating a sole beneficiary in your will does not automatically make that person your AOP beneficiary.  Also, the AOP designation does not entitle the person named as a beneficiary(s) to a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity. A separate SBP election must be made to cover the desired individual for SBP purposes. **Telling your loved ones what to expect** In the difficult days after your passing, your loved ones will need to notify a long list of people and agencies.  We try to make the process a bit easier by offering an online notification of death form on our website. Your loved ones can access the online notification form from several different links at the Retired Military & Annuitants area of our website at: www.dfas.mil/retiredmiitary Your loved one can also call our Customer Care Center at 800-321-1080.  When your loved one has notified us, they will receive a condolence package in the mail that will include information and the form to claim Arrears of Pay (SF 1174), as well as the information and form to apply for the Survivor Benefit Plan annuity (if you elected to provide it). This package should arrive in the mail within 30 days after we are notified.  It’s important for your loved ones to know that they will also need to provide a copy of the certificate of death with these forms.  **New tools to make claiming Arrears of Pay easier** We know that taking care of the paperwork after someone passes away is difficult. We want to make the process as easy as possible. That’s why we have a new set of tools to make filling out and submitting the SF 1174 (for claiming Arrears of Pay when a retiree passes away) quicker and easier.  The tools include: **Direct deposit for Arrears of Pay payments** We can now deposit an Arrears of Pay (AOP) payment directly to an eligible claimant’s bank account instead of mailing a check. Direct deposit can reduce the time it takes to receive the payment. To have an AOP payment direct deposited to their bank account, the claimant needs to send a completed Direct Deposit Authorization (DFAS-CL Form 1059) with their SF 1174. This form is available for download from the webpage: www.dfas.mil/retireeaop **Our SF 1174 PDF Form Wizard makes filling out the form easier** For spouses or children of a deceased retiree, the SF 1174 Form Wizard will help them fill out the SF 1174 Arrears of Pay form. The form wizard will a series of questions and fill in the answers in the appropriate areas of the form. When they have finished answering the questions, they can click a button to generate a ready-to-print PDF with the answers. We also have a How-To Checklist and How-To Video available to assist claimants in filling out the SF 1174 form. **Online upload option to submit the SF 1174 and documents on our website** Claimants can submit the completed and signed SF 1174 and required documentation through AskDFAS on the DFAS.mil website, which is also accessible on a mobile browser.The tools and more information are be available on the Forms page on our website: www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/formsand on the “How to Claim a Retiree’s Arrears of Pay Using the SF 1174” webpage, which has specific instructions and links to frequently asked questions: www.dfas.mil/retireeaop  

Page last updated on June 17, 2020

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