Understanding myPay
By Capt. Bud Schneeweis, USCG-Ret., Director; Lt. Col. William A. Pierce, USA-Ret.; Cmdr. Katherine O’Neill Tracy, USNR-Ret.; and Phil Dyer, CFP Benefits Information

Is there a way to access DoD pay statements and tax forms online?

Yes. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Web site provides myPay, an automated system that helps active and retired servicemembers, DoD employees, and surviving spouses manage their accounts online. Users can access their leave and earnings or retiree account statements (RAS) as well as tax statements and forms. MyPay also allows users to easily update bank account and contact information online.

The myPay Web site is https://mypay.dfas.mil. You also can access myPay through the DFAS home page, www.dfas.mil, by clicking “myPay—control your pay.” (Webtv users should access myPay through the DFAS home page.)

To use myPay, you will need to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) and a pin that is issued by DFAS. After you enter this information, the main menu screen will appear, and you can click on any of the items listed on the menu.

How do I get my PIN?

On the myPay home page, scroll down until the “new pin” button appears on the left side of the screen. After you click this button and provide your SSN, DFAS will issue a temporary pin for your account, which will be mailed to the address on record. The pin should arrive seven to 10 business days after you place a request. Once your pin has arrived and you can log on to myPay, change your pin any time by clicking the “change pin” option on the personal settings page.

Can I access myPay by telephone?

Yes. Using a touch-tone telephone, contact myPay at (877) 363-3677 (toll free) or (478) 757-3119. For security reasons, do not use a cellular phone when calling myPay.

For additional information or assistance, contact DFAS customer support at (800) 390-2348 or (216) 522-5122. DFAS customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Eastern time.

Will military retirees who have a myPay account receive a paper copy of their 1099-R and RAS for 2005?

As of Sept. 1, 2004, all military retirees who use myPay automatically consent to receive only an electronic 1099-r and RAS. Retirees can, however, use the Web site to choose to receive a hard copy of these forms.

To receive a paper 1099-r and/or RAS in the mail, switch the option for each form to “hard copy” in your myPay account. Those who choose to receive paper copies of these forms still will be able to view the statements on myPay. The electronic 1099-r and RAS are updated annually on your myPay account and can be accessed throughout the year.

What is the “no change” period?

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 of each year, myPay users cannot elect online to receive hard copies of these forms. To request paper forms during this period, contact the Retired and Annuity Pay Contact Call Center at (800) 321-1080.

The consent to receive an electronic 1099-r and/or RAS will remain in effect each year unless the user elects to receive a hard copy. Retirees may electronically opt out of this election through the myPay Web site or by submitting a written request to DFAS at the following address:

Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retirement Pay
P.O. Box 7130
London, KY 40742-7130

How safe is myPay?

MyPay safeguards your information against unauthorized access by requiring an SSN and pin combination to log on; this makes it as secure as using an ATM. MyPay also incorporates strong encryption software (128-bit) and secure socket layer technology into its Web site to prevent information from being retrieved by someone else while it is transmitted to your computer.