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Defense Finance and Accounting Service

 Retiree Newsletter 

 September 2023

 

Director’s Message

Here in Cleveland, Ohio, the hot and muggy days of summer are coming to 

an end and cool, crisp air of fall is upon us. That means it’s time to cheer on our 

Cleveland Browns! It also means it’s time for Retired & Annuitant Pay to publish 

the fall edition of the Retiree Newsletter. As always, we have a lot going on and a 

lot to tell you about. 

First, I want to mention that we have a new Quick Tools webpage on our 

website. This is a great place to start if you have questions or need information 

on how to make a change to your account. Please take a look at the new Quick 

tools webpage at https://www.dfas.mil/raquicktools. 

For those of you in the Gray Area, we have a Spotlight article for you in this 

newsletter. 

We want to make sure that all retirees know about 2023 SBP Open Season. 

Open Seasons do not occur often, so please read the article to get all the 

important information and deadlines. The Open Season ends on January 1, 2024.

Is your Arrears of Pay beneficiary up to date? Check out the article on how to 

update your beneficiary and what they need to know.

Are you thinking about taking a position with a foreign government after 

retirement or leaving the service? If so, there is some very important information 

in this newsletter you need to know.

No one wants to hear this, but tax season is right around the corner. We 

have an article with great information on what you can do now to make sure this 

tax season goes as smoothly as possible.

We also have great news about the simplified eligibility verification process 

for both retirees and annuitants. Please read the article on what to expect going 

forward.

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Finally, we have also have two articles from our pay partners I think will 

interest you, so be sure to give those a read, as well.

We appreciate you taking time to read what we are doing to provide you with 

the best customer service we can. We, at Retired & Annuitant Pay, cannot thank 

each of you enough for your service to our country. It is truly our honor to do all 

that we can do to serve those that served. 

Thank you all and I look forward to writing to you again in December!
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Gray Area Spotlight: Did You Know? The 2023 SBP 

Open Season is Your Opportunity to Enroll or 

Discontinue RCSBP/SBP Coverage 

The Gray Area Spotlight in our newsletter is a special feature for Gray Area Retirees. 

In the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congress provided a 

special Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Open Season, which ends January 1, 2024.

The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Open Season allows Gray Area Retirees awaiting 

retired pay who were NOT enrolled in SBP or the Reserve Component Survivor 

Benefit Plan (RCSBP) as of December 22, 2022, to enroll.

The SBP Open Season also allows Gray Area Retirees awaiting retired pay who 

were enrolled in SBP or RCSBP as of December 22, 2022, to permanently 

discontinue their SBP/RCSBP coverage. 

What Gray Area Retirees Need to Know About Enrolling During the 

SBP/RCSBP Open Season

For a member who enrolls during the Open Season, the law generally requires 

that the member will be responsible to pay retroactive RCSBP or SBP premium 

costs that would have been paid/owed if the member had enrolled at their first 

opportunity.

Gray Area Retirees do not pay RCSBP/SBP premiums until they begin receiving 

retired pay, so the Open Season retroactive RCSBP premium cost typically means the 

premiums that are often referred to as “RCSBP tack-on costs” a retiree pays for 

RCSBP coverage when they begin receiving retired pay. 

To protect a member from making a legal commitment to payment of an 

undetermined amount for the retroactive costs, a four-step process for enrolling 

during Open Season was set up. This process includes a request for an estimate 

prior to officially enrolling and making the legal commitment.

After receiving a Letter of Intent to Enroll in RCSBP during the SBP Open Season, 

the Branch of Service will inform the member of the additional amount that the 

member will be required to pay upon reaching eligibility age for the newly 

established RCSBP coverage and future SBP coverage. Members who wish to enroll in 

RCSBP after notification of the additional amount that the member will be required to 

pay must submit an official “SBP/RCSBP Open Season Enrollment Form” to the 

member’s individual Branch of Service. The Open Season enrollment is not effective 

until the first day of the month after a complete, official “SBP/RCSBP Open Season 

Enrollment Form” is received by the Branch of Service. 

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Important Deadlines and Information for Members Considering Enrollment

• Eligible members and former members awaiting retired pay should 

submit their Letter of Intent (for an estimate) or official Enrollment Form to 

their Branch of Service. 

• The official Open Season Enrollment Form must be received by the Branch of 

Service before the official January 1, 2024, deadline. 

• Members who want an estimate prior to enrolling should submit their request 

(using the Open Season Letter of Intent) now if they want to receive an 

estimate in time to enroll by the deadline. 

• Enrollment is effective the first day of the first calendar month following

receipt of a valid enrollment form. 

• Members are allowed 30 days from the date they sign the enrollment form

to cancel enrollment. Cancellation must be in writing and received within those 

30 days.

RCSBP Election - Send Your Letter of Intent to: 

For ARMY, email to: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.RPMD-ord-sbp-regulatory-andpolicy-team@army.mil Or, mail to: ATTN RPMD-ROR-GAR, Human Resources 

Command, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue Dept 482, Ft Knox, KY 40122-5402 

For NAVY, mail to: Navy Personnel Command (PERS-912), 5720 Integrity Drive, 

Millington, TN 38055-9120 

For AIR FORCE, submit via my myFSS Or, mail to: HQ ARPC/DPTTB 18420 Silver 

Creek Ave, Bldg 390 MS 68, Buckley SFB, CO 80011 

For MARINE CORPS, email to: smb.manpower.mmsr5@usmc.mil Or, mail to: 

Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (MMSR-5) 3280 Russell Rd, Quantico, VA 22134 

What Gray Area Retirees Need to Know About Discontinuing During the SBP 

Open Season

The law generally requires the covered beneficiaries to concur in writing with the 

election to discontinue. In addition, Gray Area Retirees awaiting retired pay who 

discontinue during the Open Season must still pay premiums for RCSBP coverage 

already received once they begin receiving retired pay.

Before submitting a request for discontinuance, members should review the SBP 

advantages and disadvantages information on the first page of the Discontinuance 

form. SBP Open Seasons rarely occur. Discontinuing means no RCSBP coverage. 

It also means no SBP coverage once you begin receiving retired pay.

Consider the impact your decision will have on your loved ones moving forward. 

Because your beneficiaries must also concur with the decision to discontinue, you 

may want to review this information with them.

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Important Deadlines and Information for Members Considering

Discontinuing

• Discontinuance is effective the first day of the first calendar month 

following receipt of a valid form. 

• Covered beneficiaries 18 and over must concur with discontinuance and their 

signature(s) must be notarized or witnessed by an SBP counselor.

• Once a discontinuance form is received, no cancellation of the discontinuance is 

allowed. 

Send your Discontinuance Form to: 

For ARMY, email to: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.RPMD-ord-sbp-regulatory-andpolicy-team@army.mil Or, mail to: ATTN RPMD-ROR-GAR, Human Resources 

Command, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue Dept 482, Ft Knox, KY 40122-5402 

For Air Force Reserve/Air National Guard, mail to: HQ ARPC/DPTTB, 18420 E. 

Silvercreek Ave, Bldg 390 MS68, Buckley AFB, CO 80011 or via myFSS 

For Navy Reserve, mail to: Navy Personnel Command (PERS-912), 5720 Integrity 

Drive, Millington, TN, 38055-9120 

For Marine Corps Reserve, mail to: Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps, Manpower 

and Reserve Affairs (MMSR-5), 3280 Russell Road, Quantico, VA, 22134- 5103 or via 

email to smb.manpower.mmsr5@usmc.mil

For Additional Information

Army Gray Area Retiree Soldiers (not yet receiving pay), please visit the Army’s 

webpage on the Survivor Benefit Plan at 

https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement/survivor-benefit-plan or contact your 

local Retirement Services Officer.

Gray Area Retirees (not yet receiving retired pay) of the Navy, Marine Corps and Air 

Force should contact their Branch of Service for information on the SBP Open Season. 

NOTE: Members who are retired with pay, please see the SBP Open Season 

article, “The Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season Ends January 1, 2024” in this 

newsletter. 

Special Note from the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) for Air Force

Gray Area Retirees 

Due to the various challenges that arose from platform shifts, HQ ARPC 

Retirements is currently experiencing a delay in processing retirement 

applications. At present, we are processing retirement applications with a requested 

retirement date in August 2023. Once these applications are completed, we will shift 

our focus to applications with a requested retirement date in September 2023 and so 

on. We recognize that this delay may adversely affect members' benefits and 

entitlements, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.
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Another Tax Season is Right Around the Corner: Are 

You Prepared?

Tax season is just around the corner and DFAS wants to ensure you are 

prepared. Now is the best time to double check everything is correct regarding your 

account so there are no hiccups when you need to file.

Start with myPay

The best tool DFAS offers for ensuring a smooth tax season is myPay 

(https://mypay.dfas.mil). The most important step to take now is to login to your 

myPay account, and check and update your mailing address.

An easy, online stop for your tax season needs, myPay offers printing or 

downloading of your tax statements for your retired pay or your annuity pay. You 

can print/download your current year tax statement, as well as prior year 1099Rs 

(up to four prior years for retirees and up to two prior years for annuitants). If you 

have them, you can also print/download IRS form 1095B, as well as the 

documentation for any taxable travel income received.

You’ll have much earlier access to your tax documents through myPay. 1099Rs 

are generally available in myPay in late December, while paper copies aren’t mailed 

until mid-to-late January.

If you haven’t logged in to myPay in a while, this is a good time to log in and 

update your password, before the busy tax season.

Changing Federal Tax Withholding

Now is also a good time to check and adjust your tax withholding, if needed.

Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator

The IRS has an online Tax Withholding Estimator to help you determine how 

much tax you need to have withheld. The calculator helps taxpayers estimate if the 

right amount is withheld from their income to cover their tax liability. The estimator 

uses a simple, six-step question-and-answer format using information like marital or 

filing status, income, withholding, adjustments, deductions and credits.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

DFAS cannot provide tax advice. Please consult a tax professional or the IRS.

Change Your Federal Withholding in myPay

It’s easy to change the amount withheld for federal taxes on the myPay site by 

clicking on the Federal Withholding link.

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Once there, click on the yellow pencil to go to the edit page. On the edit page, 

you can also enter information about multiple jobs, change your number of 

dependents, add additional income, make additional deductions or have extra tax 

withheld. The blue bar tells you when you can expect the changes to go into effect.

State Taxes for Retirees

Retirees can start, stop, or change their State Income Tax Withholding (SITW), 

but only if that state has an agreement in place allowing DFAS to withhold state tax. 

In some states, but not all, portions of your retired pay may be tax exempt. Because 

tax obligations vary from state to state, contact your state's department of revenue 

regarding taxability of your military retired pay.

Any changes to SITW must be made in writing, by submitting a DD 2866 form 

(https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2866.

pdf) or by using myPay. DFAS can only withhold income tax for one state at a time 

and the designated state must have signed the standard written SITW agreement 

with the Department of Defense.

More detail on changing SITW is available on the DFAS website: 

https://www.dfas.mil/retstatetax

Federal Taxability of Retired Pay

Military retired pay is paid for many different reasons under many different laws. 

There are differences in the types of pay a military retiree might receive and the tax 

laws that apply to them. Whether a portion or all of an individual’s military retired 

pay is subject to federal income taxes depends on his/her individual circumstances. 

A military retiree can either use myPay or send an IRS Form W-4 to alter the 

amount DFAS withholds for federal income taxes from their military retired pay. 

An individual’s choice to have no withholding for federal taxes does not impact 

whether the individual’s military retired pay is actually subject to federal income 

taxes. Ultimately, the IRS will determine the amount of taxes owed on the military 

retired pay. 

Please note: the IRS requires any individual claiming exemption from federal 

withholding to provide a new Form W-4 at the beginning of each tax year certifying 

their exemption from withholding.

Please see our webpage regarding taxation of retired pay: 

https://www.dfas.mil/retpaytax 
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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 U.S. Constitution prohibits federal government employees from accepting 

compensation, gifts, or titles from foreign governments without the prior consent of 

Congress. This prohibition also applies to military retirees. Congress granted its 

consent to retirees seeking foreign government employment so long as the retirees 

obtain the advance approvals required by 37 U.S.C. § 908. Retirees who are 

considering accepting foreign government employment for compensation must 

receive approval in advance of receiving the compensation. In general, the Secretary 

of State and the Service Secretary from which you retired must both approve the 

employment/compensation. If the foreign government payment or award is limited 

to speeches, travel, meals, lodging, registration fees, or non-cash awards, you only 

need approval by the Service Secretary from which you retired. The purpose of this 

restriction is to prevent the exercise of undue influence by foreign governments on 

retired members of the United States military.

If a retired member accepts compensation from a foreign government or foreign 

government controlled entity for employment or for speeches, travel, meals, lodging, 

registration fees, or non-cash awards without prior approval, the member’s retired 

pay becomes subject to a withholding and/or debt, generally in an amount equal to 

the total amounts received from the foreign government.

To request approval of compensation from a foreign government for 

employment, speeches, travel, meals, lodging registration fees or a non-cash award, 

retirees should contact their Branch of Service at the appropriate address listed 

below. Retirees may also review the Service Instructions listed below that are 

publicly available on the web or by contacting the appropriate POC listed below. 

There are other laws that restrict some retirees from representing a foreign 

government entity before U.S. government agency or officials, or that may require 

additional approvals, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act and the 

International Traffic in Arms regulations. Retirees should consult with their 

employer’s human resources or general counsel offices for guidance on whether 

these other requirements apply.

Please see the Service-specific information on the next page.

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Service Service POC Address Service Instruction

U.S. Air

Force

Retirees (Regular and Retired 

Reserve): Contact the 

AFPC Airman and Family Sustainment 

Branch (AFPC/DPFFF)

Website: 

https://www.retirees.af.mil/ForeignGovernment-Employment

Email: Afpc.retiree@us.af.mil

Comm: 210-565-4725

Department of the Air Force 

Instruction 

36-2913 of 1 July 2020 

IC 24 August 2023

Retired Reserve members awaiting

pay and members assigned to the

Inactive Status List Reserve Section:

Contact the

Air Reserve Personnel Center

Reserve Service Programs Branch

(ARPC/DPAMR)

1840 E. Silver Creek Ave, Bldg 390

Buckley AFB CO 80011

U.S. 

Army

Members who desire to accept

employment with a foreign

government should contact:

Commander, U.S. Army Human

Resources Command (AHRC -PDR)

1600 Spearhead Division Avenue

Fort Knox KY 40122 – 5402

Or e-mail to: 

usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-aprdfge@army.mil

Army Regulation 600 – 291

(Foreign Government

Employment) of 7 September

2020

U.S. 

Navy

Chief of Naval Personnel/OPNAV N1

Attn: Legal Counsel

701 S. Courthouse Rd

Arlington VA 22204

Telephone: (703)604-3399

Or e-mail to: navyfge.fct@navy.mil

Navy Ethics website

(https://www.ethics.navy.mil) 

U.S.

Marine

Corps

Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps

Separation and Retirement Branch,

Manpower and 

Reserve Affairs (MMSR-6)

3280 Russell Rd

Quantico VA 22134-5103

Telephone: (703) 784-9310/9311

NAVSO P-1778 (Rev Apr

2000) "Reference Guide To

Post Government Service

Employment Activities of DON

Personnel"
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The Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season Ends 

January 1, 2024

The SBP Open Season allows for retirees receiving retired pay, eligible members, 

or former members awaiting retired pay who were NOT enrolled in SBP or RCSBP 

(Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan) as of December 22, 2022 to enroll. For a 

member who enrolls during the SBP Open Season, the law generally requires that 

the member will be responsible to pay retroactive SBP premium costs that would 

have been paid if the member had enrolled at retirement (or enrolled at another 

earlier date, depending on the member’s circumstances).

The SBP Open Season also allows eligible members and former members who 

were enrolled in SBP or RCSBP (Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan) as of 

December 22, 2022 to permanently discontinue their SBP coverage. The law 

generally requires the covered beneficiaries to concur in writing with the election to 

discontinue. Previously paid premiums will not be refunded.

The deadline to enroll or discontinue during the SBP Open Season is January 1, 

2024. 

There are special forms to enroll or discontinue in accordance with the NDAA 

2023 SBP Open Season law and processes. 

The forms, deadlines, information, and FAQs are available on our special focus 

webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23

Please note that the information in this article is for retirees receiving pay. Gray 

Area Retirees, please see the Gray Area Spotlight article in this issue or contact 

your Branch of Service for details on how to enroll or discontinue RCSBP/SBP 

coverage during the SBP Open Season. 

Brief Overview of the Enrollment Process

Upon enrollment you will be legally responsible and obligated to pay a “buy-in 

premium.” The buy-in premium is comprised of (a) amounts you would have been 

required to pay you had enrolled in SBP at an earlier opportunity plus (b) additional 

open season costs. 

You will also be responsible to pay monthly premiums beginning with the 

effective date of the election in the same manner that monthly premiums are 

collected for all SBP participants, until you reach “paid-up” status. 

To protect a retiree from making a legal commitment to payment of an 

undetermined amount for the buy-in premium (which may be thousands of dollars) 

we set up a four-step process that includes a request for an estimate prior to 

officially enrolling and making that legal commitment. 

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However, a retiree can enroll without an estimate by submitting an official 

Enrollment Form, including your choice for how to pay the buy-in premium. Keep 

in mind that unless we receive a written request to cancel your enrollment within 

30 days of the date of your signature on the enrollment form, you will be legally 

obligated to pay the buy-in premium and monthly premiums. 

STEP ONE: Submit the Letter of Intent (LOI) to Enroll, so we can send you 

an estimate of your monthly premiums and most importantly, an estimate of 

your one-time buy-in premium. 

Retirees who want an individual estimate prior to officially enrolling should 

submit their Letter of Intent (LOI) to no later than November 1, 2023. If we do 

not receive the LOI by November 1, we may not be able to provide an individual 

estimate in time for you to enroll by the deadline. We strongly recommend you 

upload your LOI via our askDFAS online upload tool.

STEP TWO: We will mail you an estimate, based on the information in your 

Letter of Intent (LOI). 

STEP THREE: After consideration of the costs, if you want to officially enroll, 

submit the Enrollment Form, including your choice for how to pay the buy-in 

premium. 

STEP FOUR: We will mail you a confirmation of your enrollment, with your 

final costs, and start deductions or provide instructions on how to submit 

payment. Your enrollment will be effective the first day of the first calendar 

month following our receipt of your valid enrollment form. 

You are allowed 30 days from the date you sign the enrollment form to 

cancel your enrollment. Cancellation must be in writing and must be received 

within those 30 days. 

See Example SBP Open Season Buy-In Premiums on Webpage

By early October, we will have a number of examples of Open Season Buy-In 

Premiums posted on the webpage below. The examples will help you gauge the size 

of what your Buy-In Premium could be, if you haven’t already requested an 

estimate. 

For more details on the enrollment process, please see our special focus 

webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23

Brief Overview of the Discontinuance Process

During the SBP Open Season, retirees are allowed to stop (discontinue) their

SBP coverage. To discontinue SBP coverage, complete and submit an “SBP Open 

Season 2023 Discontinuance Form.” The form is available to download from our 

special focus webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23

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The discontinuance will be effective the first day of the first calendar month 

following our receipt of your valid discontinuance form. 

Please note: To be valid, the form must be properly signed and dated by all 

parties, including the current spouse, and any currently-covered former spouse, child 

aged 18-22 or natural interest person (NIP). In addition, the covered party’s 

signature must either be notarized or witnessed by an SBP counselor.

No refunds of SBP premiums for the period of coverage are allowed. In 

addition, retirees remain responsible for any debt accrued due to unpaid premiums 

during the time in which the retiree had SBP or RCSBP coverage. Also, there is no 

provision to cancel or change your discontinuance once we receive a valid 

discontinuance form.

Before submitting your request for discontinuance, please review the SBP 

advantages and disadvantages information on the first page of the 

Discontinuance form. SBP Open Seasons rarely occur. Consider the impact your 

decision will have on your loved ones moving forward. Because your beneficiaries 

must also concur with the decision to discontinue, you may want to review this 

information with them.

For more details on the discontinuance process, please see our special focus 

webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23
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Helpful Form Wizards and Convenient askDFAS

Online Upload Tools

At DFAS, we continue to look for ways to make filling out forms and sending 

information to us as easy as possible.

Two resources we provide are Form Wizards and the askDFAS Online Upload 

Tools.

Form Wizards are a tool that “takes the form out of the form” by having a 

customer answer a series of questions. Their responses to those questions are then 

populated in the proper areas of the forms.

askDFAS is a convenient way to submit requests and eliminate the time and 

hassle of sending requests through mail or fax and provide more timely and accurate 

service to retirees and annuitants. We have a collection of online tools that allow 

forms and required documentation to be filled out or uploaded at askDFAS on the 

DFAS.mil website.

Form Wizards

Form Wizards help ensure the form is filled out correctly. Fields that are required 

or have a particular format will alert a customer if information is input incorrectly or 

if required information is missing. It will not allow the filled-in form to be generated 

until the input is corrected.

Another benefit of using a Form Wizard is it allows for informational pop-ups to 

guide a customer in providing the proper responses to complete their form. 

Some Form Wizards allow for electronic signature and a direct upload to 

askDFAS, which eliminates the need for a customer to print, sign and then either 

mail, fax or scan the document to upload. A customer can have peace of mind that 

their form was completed and submitted correctly to DFAS. 

Form Wizards available are on the Forms webpage of the DFAS R&A website 

at https://www.dfas.mil/raforms. The Form Wizard is positioned above the PDF 

version of the form on the website.

 

Form Wizards available for retiree-related forms include: 

DD Form 2894 - Designation of Beneficiary Information

 Used to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries for the retiree’s final pay, 

known as the Arrears of Pay. Allows for electronic signature and direct upload to 

askDFAS.

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SF 1174 - Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the

Uniformed Service

 Used by a beneficiary or claimant to submit a claim for the deceased retiree’s 

arrears of pay.

Form Wizards available for annuitant-related forms are as follows:

DD Form 2656-7 - Verification for Survivor Annuity

 Used by the annuitant to apply for their annuity as the beneficiary from the 

Survivor Benefit Plan. Allows for electronic signature and direct upload to askDFAS.

DD From 2788- Child Annuitant’s School Certificate

 Used by a child annuitant, between the ages of 18 to 22 and attending school

full-time, to certify their annual school attendance. Allows for electronic signature

and direct upload to askDFAS.

DFAS 9415 - Representative Payee Certification

 Used by a person applying to be the Representative Payee on the behalf of the

annuitant, if the annuitant is mentally incompetent, or an otherwise legally disabled

person for whom a guardian or other fiduciary has not been appointed. 

 

Please note as forms are updated in newer versions of Adobe, when using

Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari to access a form or Form Wizard, you must

download or save the PDF to your computer or device. Then go to the saved location

and open the form or Form Wizard. It is not recommended to save completed forms

on a public or shared computer due to Personal Identifiable Information (PII).

askDFAS Online Upload Tools

We continue to build a suite of online tools that allow forms and required 

documentation to be filled out or uploaded at askDFAS on the DFAS.mil website, 

which is also accessible on a mobile browser.

askDFAS tools are a quick and easy way to submit select forms and documents 

to us directly. Instead of mailing or faxing your completed forms, for some you can 

now either fill out an online form or upload them directly in a PDF through the 

askDFAS online tools on the DFAS.mil website.

Please note all documents uploaded to an askDFAS online tool MUST be in PDF 

format and contain the Social Security Number of the retiree or deceased member. 

Also, the askDFAS online upload tools can only accept the specific form and 

documentation noted on the specific upload tool. Other requests or documents 

cannot be processed through that online upload tool.

See more information about askDFAS Online Upload Tools by clicking on Retirees 

& Annuitants at: https://www.dfas.mil/askdfas
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Simplifying Eligibility Verifications for Retirees and 

SBP Annuitants

As part of our work at DFAS Retired & Annuitant Pay to transform into an even 

more customer-friendly environment, we are simplifying eligibility verifications for 

both retirees and SBP annuitants. Check out the good news below. 

Retirees Who Receive a Paycheck in the Mail to a Foreign Address

Starting in May of 2023, we replaced the twice-yearly Report of Existence (ROE) 

with an ANNUAL Foreign Address Update for Mailed Check (FAUMC) letter. 

Prior to May, retirees who received a hardcopy check to a foreign address needed 

to complete and return a Report of Existence (ROE) twice each year. One ROE was 

due the month of their birthday, and one ROE was due six months after their 

birthday. 

Now, retirees who receive a hardcopy check to a foreign address will only need 

to complete and return the new annual FAUMC once a year (due the first of the 

month of their birthday). This new letter will be automatically mailed to all retirees 

who need to complete and return it the first of the month of their birthday. This part 

of the process is the same as it was under the old guidelines. 

Retirees can send their FAUMC via mail, fax or use our convenient askDFAS 

online upload tool on DFAS.mil. Once you complete and sign the FAUMC, save it as a 

PDF file, then you can upload it online at askDFAS. Find out more here: 

https://www.dfas.mil/askdfas

Please note that we will still accept and process ROEs in place of the new FAUMC 

for the period of the transition from the old process to the new, simpler process. If 

you owed an ROE prior to May of 2023, you should complete and return it. You can 

also download the new FAUMC from our website Forms Library 

(https://www.dfas.mil/raforms) and return that instead.

Changes to Simplify Eligibility Verifications for Annuitants

Beginning in August 2023, DFAS reduced the requirements for SBP annuitants to 

one annual eligibility determination. Previously, some SBP annuitants needed to 

complete multiple forms each year. Now, you will only need to complete and submit 

one annual verification each year. 

Also, the two new annual eligibility verifications now have names that identify 

their purpose. And their due dates are easy to remember: they are due the first day 

of the month of your birthday. 

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The three annual eligibility verifications for annuitants now are:

Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU) 

The Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU) is required annually 

to confirm marital status and continued eligibility for the Survivor Benefit Plan. The 

SBP-MSU replaces the COE. It is due the first day of the month of the annuitant’s 

birthday.

School Certifications

The DD Form 2788 Child Annuitant’s School Certification and the Child 

Annuitant’s Certification for Previous Attendance Letter are required annually to 

confirm full-time school attendance and marital status for continued eligibility for the 

Survivor Benefit Plan. School Certification is due the first day of the month the 

annuitant’s school year ends. Note: School Certification requirements did not change. 

Foreign Address Update for Mailed Check (FAUMC)

The Foreign Address Update for Mailed Check (FAUMC) is required annually only 

if an annuitant is receiving a check in the mail outside the United States and does 

not need to submit a School Certification or a Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status 

Update. The FAUMC replaces the Report of Existence (ROE). It is due the first day of 

the month of the annuitant’s birthday

Overview of Annual Eligibility Requirements

Child SBP Annuitants Ages 18-22 Who Must Submit a School Certification

Now, SBP annuitants who are currently required to submit a School 

Certification/Previous Attendance Letter won’t need to complete any of the other 

annual eligibility documents. No more COE, no more twice-a-year ROEs. 

SBP Spouse/Former Spouse Annuitants Under 55, Child Annuitants 14-17, 

and Incapacitated Child Annuitants Ages 14 and Over Who Must Submit an 

Annual Certificate of Eligibility 

We replaced the annual Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with the Survivor Benefit 

Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU). 

Previously, annuitants age 14 to 55 needed to submit a COE annually to provide 

their current marital status.

Now, annuitants age 14 to 55 will submit an annual Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital

Status Update (SBP-MSU) instead of the COE. 

SBP annuitants who are currently required to submit a School 

Certification/Previous Attendance Letter won’t need to complete an annual Survivor 

Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU), formerly the COE.

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We also have a new, convenient online upload tool on our website for returning 

the SBP-MSU. Once you complete and sign your SBP-MSU, you can save it as a PDF 

file, then upload it online at askDFAS. Find out more here: 

https://www.dfas.mil/askdfas

By early next year, we will also have emailed status notifications for the new 

SBP-MSU when submitted through askDFAS. 

Please note that we will still accept and process annuitant COEs in place of the 

new SBP-MSU during the period of the transition from the old process to the new, 

simpler process. If you owed a COE prior to August of 2023, you should complete 

and return it. You can also download the new SBP-MSU from our website Forms 

Library (https://www.dfas.mil/raforms) and return that instead.

SBP Annuitants Who Receive a Check in the Mail to a Foreign Address

 We replaced the twice-yearly Report of Existence (ROE) for SBP annuitants with 

a once-a-year Foreign Address Update for Mailed Checks (FAUMC) letter. 

Previously, annuitants who received a hardcopy check to a foreign address 

needed to complete and return an annuitant Report of Existence (ROE) twice each 

year. One ROE was due the month of their birthday, and one ROE was due six 

months after their birthday. For annuitants who needed to submit an annual 

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) the month of their birthday, that COE took the place of 

the ROE due the month of their birthday, but they still needed to submit a second 

ROE six months after their birthday.

Now, annuitants who receive a hardcopy check in the mail to a foreign address 

will only need to complete and return the new annual FAUMC once a year (due the 

first of the month of their birthday). 

In addition, now, if an SBP annuitant receiving a hardcopy check in the mail to a 

foreign address is required to submit an annual Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status 

Update (SBP-MSU), the annual SBP-MSU submission will take the place of the 

FAUMC. This means, starting in August, an SBP annuitant who is required to 

submit an annual SBP-MSU will not have to submit an FAUMC, even if they are 

receiving a hardcopy check in the mail to a foreign address. 

If the annuitant is a student SBP child annuitant age 18-22 who is required to 

submit an annual School Certification, they will not have to submit an annual 

SBP-MSU or an FAUMC. 

We also have a convenient online upload tool on our website for returning the 

annuitant FAUMC. Once you complete and sign the FAUMC, save it as a PDF file, then 

you can upload it online at askDFAS. Find out more here: 

https://www.dfas.mil/askdfas 

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Please note we will still accept and process annuitant ROEs in place of the new 

annuitant FAUMC during the period of the transition from the old process to the new, 

simpler process. If you owed an ROE prior to August of 2023, you should complete 

and return it. You can also download the new annuitant FAUMC from our website 

Forms Library here (https://www.dfas.mil/raforms) and return that instead.

Summary of New, Simpler Annual Requirements for SBP Annuitants

• If a child annuitant age 18-22 (not documented as incapacitated), the 

School Certification/Previous Attendance Letter is the only annual verification 

needed. 

• If a child annuitant age 14-17 (not documented as incapacitated), the 

Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update is the only annual verification 

needed. 

• If caring for an incapacitated child annuitant age 14 or over, the Survivor 

Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update is the only annual verification needed. 

• If a spouse/former spouse annuitant under the age of 55, the Survivor 

Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update is the only annual verification needed. 

• If receiving a check in the mail outside the United States and do not need 

to submit a School Certification or a Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status 

Update, the Foreign Address Update for Mailed Check is the only annual 

verification needed. 

Find Out More About the Annuitant Eligibility Verification Changes

We have additional information about these changes on our “Manage Your SBP 

Annuity” webpage, including a downloadable Quick Reference Guide and a Fact Sheet 

with an overview of what is required, when it is mailed, and when it should be 

completed and returned and FAQs: https://www.dfas.mil/managesbp. 
19

Retiree Appreciation Events 2023

Come see us at the following upcoming retiree appreciation events! For more 

information about the events, see our Events webpage at: 

https://www.dfas.mil/retevents

Events in the United States

October 20: Fort Knox, KY

October 21: Welch, MN

October 27: Wright Patterson AFB, OH

November 2: NBSD Annual Military Retiree Seminar (Virtual Event)

November 3: Hanscom AFB, MA 

November 4: Los Angeles AFB, CA

 

Retiree Appreciation Days in Europe

 

October 13: USAG Benelux Brunssum (Netherlands)

October 14: USAG Benelux-SHAPE (Belgium)

October 16: USAG Italy

October 18: USAG Ansbach

October 19: USAG Rheinland-Pfalz

October 24: USAG Bavaria

October 26: USAG Stuttgart

October 28: USAG Wiesbaden

Please confirm event details with the hosting organization of the event.
20

From Our Partners: 2023 Air Force Assistance Fund 

“50 Years of Caring” Campaign

On 27 February, the Department of the Air Force launched the 50th annual Air 

Force Assistance Fund 50 Years of Caring Campaign at Air and Space Force Bases 

worldwide. Thanks to your generosity, over $244 Million have been donated by 

Airmen and Guardians, and other supporters over these past 50 years, providing a 

safety net for our fellow Airmen—and now Guardians—as well as their families. Your 

contributions helped provide a total of over $46,000, in assistance in just the first 

half of 2023...$1,000 more than retirees were able to contribute for the entirety of 

2022! I’d like to encourage you to continue your support of these four extraordinary 

charities, committed to taking care of our own. 

The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation provides the full spectrum of care 

for widows and widowers of retired Air Force Officers living at Blue Skies of Texas in 

San Antonio, just down the road from Lackland AFB. Thanks to your generous 

donations over the years, over 600 surviving spouses have been served. Over $26 

million has been invested in their care since 1970 and you’ll be glad to know 100% 

of gifts go directly to the residents’ living expenses and continuing care to allow them 

the peace of mind to live comfortably in their homes with a secure future. Today, 

deserving recipients live in all levels of care; independent living, assisted living, 

skilled nursing, and memory care. Your contributions allow them to live in dignity 

and safety. 

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) provides support to Airmen, Guardian’s, and 

their families when they need it most. Thanks to your generous contributions and 

donations, AFAS provides emergency assistance support, educational scholarships, 

as well as community support programs such as childcare programs, parenting 

classes, as well as a spouse employment program. AFAS provided over $13 million 

in direct assistance to over 17,000 Airmen, Guardians, and their families in 2022. 

This year, they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their annual Charity Gala, where 

they partnered with the Gala Committee from the Air Force Officers' Spouses' Club 

(AFOSC), Spouses' Clubs and Thrift Shops from across the Air and Space Forces, 

along with corporate and organizational sponsors. With over 500 attendees at this 

year's event, more than $595,000 was raised to help Airmen, Guardians, and their 

families. Thus far in 2023, AFAS has provided over $3,750,000 in emergency 

assistance support in addition to $1,600,000 in disaster relief. Additionally, this 

year, AFAS has provided nearly $140,000 in assistance for community programs 

such as “Bundles for Babies”, “Child Care for PCS” and “Give Parents a Break”; and 

supported dependent spouses and children with educational benefits totaling over 

$2,850,000. Again, we couldn’t make this happen with you! 

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The Air Force Enlisted Village, located in the Florida Panhandle near Eglin AFB 

and Hurlburt Field, continues a long tradition of providing a home for surviving 

spouses of retired enlisted Department of the Air Force (DAF) members who require 

independent living, assisted living, and memory care in a retirement community 

setting with their peers. No eligible surviving spouse has ever been turned away due 

to an inability to pay. Your donations assist with monthly service fees; transportation 

to and from medical appointments and grocery shopping; prescription pick up; 

wellness activities; and much more. Because of you, all 600 of our residents receive 

essentials that many of us take for granted, yet are so important as we age: A safe 

home; security; dignity; independence; and camaraderie. Your generosity over the 

past 50 years has provided a home with a caring staff and elevated services for 

thousands of our senior DAF family. Thank you!

The General & Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides financial support to the 

surviving spouses of all Air and Space Force retirees with grants of monetary 

assistance that don’t ever need to be repaid. Monthly grants range from $300 to 

$625. One-time support is provided for unplanned expenses as well. Last year, 

more than $23,000 one-time grants helped with past due mortgage payments, 

dental needs, and emergency lodging. Your support continues to matter to the 

current spouses receiving monthly aid to help with the necessities of life. These 

grants make everyday living a little easier with personal care costs, transportation 

services, and meal deliveries. And thanks to your generosity, in 2022, the LeMay 

Foundation provided over $341,000 in grants to their recipients.

If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to give but so desire, you can give 

anytime online now at https://www.afassistancefund.org. Just click the 

“DONATE NOW!!” button near the top right of the page. You’ll be taken to our 

donation page where you can choose to either use a donation form to authorize 

payroll deduction donations, or document where you’d like your check or money 

order donation to go. Then there’s our “E-Giving” option where you can help your 

favorite base and squadron by giving directly to their campaign—just scroll down to 

the “DONATE TODAY WITH OUR NEW PEER-TO-PEER PLATFORM” box and click the 

“Donate Today!” button. When you click the “Find a Base” button, you’ll be able to 

click on the base link where each squadron/organization will have their own link. 

You can also give this way by texting AFAF to 50155 using your smart phone.

Join the AFAF Wingman Squadron today by signing up for monthly giving and 

your monthly donation won’t automatically stop after just one year—unless you 

pause or stop it yourself. You’re in full control with your giving account! In fact, if 

you authorize monthly recurring e-giving, it’s highly recommended that you set up 

an account. You can do that after making your donation online by going to 

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/afassistancefund and clicking the “Sign In” link. 

If you need help linking your account to your monthly gift, please contact 

Department of the Air Force Fundraising at usaf.fundraising@us.af.mil. 

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Again, if e-Giving isn’t your thing, that’s okay. You can still give by check, 

money order, cashier’s check, or through the annual payroll deduction plan from 

your retired pay. The contribution form can be found online at 

https://www.afassistancefund.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/12/DAF_2561-20221026.pdf 

Please be aware that payroll deduction allotment authorizations mailed to AFPC 

will not begin coming from retired pay until 1 July 2024. 

*****PLEASE DON’T SEND CASH IN THE MAIL*****

Mail Check and Payroll Deduction Plan Donations to:

AIR FORCE ASSISTANCE FUND

AFPC/DP3SA

550 C STREET WEST

JBSA RANDOLPH TX 78150

Thank you once again for your continued support of the annual AFAF Campaign, 

and our fellow Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Retired, but still Active! 
23

From Our Partners: Military Families - Take 

Advantage of Your FEDVIP Enrollment Period

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proud to welcome you to the 

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). 

Sponsored by OPM, FEDVIP is a voluntary, enrollee-pay-all dental and vision 

insurance program. In general, retired uniformed service members, their families, 

and survivors are eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage and, if they’re enrolled in a 

TRICARE health plan, FEDVIP vision coverage. 

FEDVIP is popular among the more than 3.5 million people already enrolled in 

the program, giving the program high marks for quality and value. FEDVIP offers you 

a choice between 12 dental and 5 vision carriers, so you can select the right 

coverage for you and your family, such as:

• Regional dental plans as well as nationwide dental and vision plans with 

international coverage

• Plans featuring high and standard options

• A choice between three enrollment types: self, self plus one, or self and family 

The Federal Benefits Open Season is your annual opportunity to enroll in, 

change, or cancel a FEDVIP dental and/or vision plan. This year, open season runs 

from November 13 through December 11, 2023, with coverage effective January 1, 

2024. Please note: Opportunities to enroll outside of open season are limited.

To familiarize yourself with the program, explore BENEFEDS.com/military. 

BENEFEDS is government-authorized online portal where you can enroll in FEDVIP, 

research FEDVIP’s current list of carriers and plans, and use the plan comparison tool 

to view rates, benefits, and coverage information. 

During open season, you may view informational webinars or access the Virtual 

Benefits Fair by visiting BENEFEDS.com/military. The Virtual Benefits Fair is an online 

health fair that houses 2024 FEDVIP plan information in a single location, allowing 

military families to browse exhibits, view and download plan brochures, and chat 

with BENEFEDS and FEDVIP representatives.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Consider including FEDVIP in your retirement plan 

today.

BENEFEDS is administered by FedPoint® under the oversight of the U.S. Office of 

Personnel Management. FedPoint is a trade name of the legal entity Long Term Care 

Partners, LLC®.

BEN26100
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2024 Pay Calendar

To help you plan for 2024, below is a list of the days you should expect to 

receive your pay. Retired and annuitant pay is due on the first of the month. 

However, if the first falls on a weekend or holiday, retirees are paid on the last 

business day of the month and annuitants are paid on the first business day of 

month. 

For example, for December 2023, retirees will receive payment on December 29, 

2023. However, annuitants are scheduled to receive payment on January 2, 2024. 

Please see the chart for each month in 2024.

Entitlement Month Retired Pay Date Annuitant Pay Date

September 2023 September 29, 2023 October 2, 2023

October 2023 November 1, 2023 November 1, 2023

November 2023 December 1, 2023 December 1, 2023

December 2023 December 29, 2023 January 2, 2024

January 2024 February 1, 2024 February 1, 2024

February 2024 March 1, 2024 March 1, 2024

March 2024 April 1, 2024 April 1, 2024

April 2024 May 1, 2024 May 1, 2024

May 2024 May 31, 2024 June 3, 2024

June 2024 July 1, 2024 July 1, 2024

July 2024 August 1, 2024 August 1, 2024

August 2024 August 30, 2024 September 3, 2024

September 2024 October 1, 2024 October 1, 2024

October 2024 November 1, 2024 November 1, 2024

November 2024 November 29, 2024 December 2, 2024

December 2024 December 31, 2024 January 2, 2025
25

 Contact Us

DFAS Retired & Annuitant Pay Website

https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary

DFAS Retired & Annuitant Pay

Mailing Addresses

Retired Pay: 

Defense Finance and Accounting

Service

U.S. Military Retired Pay

8899 E 56th Street

Indianapolis IN 46249-1200

Annuitant Pay: 

Defense Finance and Accounting

Service

U.S. Military Annuitant Pay

8899 E 56th Street

Indianapolis IN 46249-1300

DFAS Retired & Annuitant Pay 

Phone and Fax Numbers

Phone:

Toll-free: 800-321-1080

Local: 317-212-0551

DSN: 699-0551

Retired Pay Fax: 800-469-6559

Annuitant/Survivor Pay Fax: 800-982-8459

 Phone: 888-332-7411

myPay

https://mypay.dfas.mil