Direct Deposit puts the power in retirees’ hands

Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Story by Damon Hill

Date: 07.22.2015
Posted: 08.11.2015 16:30
News ID: 172807

CLEVELAND – Direct deposit is the most efficient, timely and secure way to receive pay. It eliminates the possibility of a lost or stolen check and reduces the opportunity for identity theft.

“The advantages of direct deposit are numerous,” said Jeffery Presley, Director of Retired and Annuitant Pay. “With direct deposit, retirees will have access to their pay check on payday without wasting time and gas to travel to the bank and eliminate the risk of lost or stolen checks, forged signatures and identity theft.”

How to Start Direct Deposit

For customers with a myPay account, simply log into myPay at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx and enter the bank routing and account numbers under the Pay Changes section. The change will be updated to the pay system in five-to-seven business days.

Military retirees and annuitants without a myPay account can find the Fast Start Direct Deposit form at http://www.dfas.mil/dfas/retiredmilitary/forms.html. This form must be completed and sent to: [Update May 2, 2018]
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retired Pay 
8899 E 56th Street 
Indianapolis, IN  46249-1200

DFAS, U.S. Military Retired Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7130


Former spouses of military retirees can find more information about setting up direct deposit at http://www.dfas.mil/garnishment/payinformation.html.

Military members or civilian employees paid by DFAS should contact their base finance office, employer's customer service representative, payroll liaison, or human resources office to start direct deposit if they’re unable to access myPay.

Those needing additional assistance can call DFAS customer service at 1-800-321-1080 for retirees and annuitants; or 1-888-332-7411 for military and civilian employees.

How to Update Direct Deposit

There are two ways to update direct deposit information, myPay or direct mail. This process requires having a bank routing number, account number, and type of account (checking or savings) readily available.

myPay

For those living within the United States and certain U.S. territories, enroll in direct deposit through myPay. Those without a myPay account can use the troubleshooting instructions at http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/manage/mypay.html to create one.
1. Go to the myPay web site, and log into your account using the “Log In” box at the top left-hand side of your screen
2. Click Accept on the Terms of Use Agreement
3. On the Main Menu Page, find the Direct Deposit link
4. Enter your Routing Number, your account number, account type and financial institution
5. Save your changes and close out the screen or use the link at the top of the page in the gray bar to return to the main menu
6. Your account will be updated in three-to-seven business days
If you have problems remembering your login ID or password, consult the “Forgot Your Login ID?” or “Forgot or Need a Password?” link. You can also contact myPay at 888-332-7411 (option 5) to speak to a customer service representative.

Paper Form

Complete a Direct Deposit Enrollment Form (FMS 2231) located at http://www.dfas.mil/dfas/retiredmilitary/forms.html and mail or fax it to:

For Retirees
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retired Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200
Fax: 800-469-6559

For annuitants, beneficiaries and survivors
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Annuitant Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300
Fax: 800-982-8459

Keep in mind that it can take 30-60 days to process a paper form.