Beginning on November 1, 2011, military retirees will be able to get a new monthly electronic Retiree Account Statement (eRAS) on line, according to an announcement by the Defense Accounting and Finance Service (DFAS).
The new statement will include information on allotments, tax withholdings, and information on direct deposit. The monthly eRAS will also include a counter tool for Survivor Benefit Plans (SBP) that will allow a member to determine how much longer they have to pay premiums.
Military retirees can access their eRAS by clicking on myPay. If a retiree does not have a current user ID or myPay passwords, can go to the DFAS Retired Military and Annuitants section to find instructions.
Retirees will be able to check their eRAS monthly to ensure that pay and benefits information is accurate. Updates and changes can be made online in most cases, DFAS said. Retirees can also register their e-mail address to receive monthly notifications when their eRAS is available.
DFAS responded to feedback from military retirees who wanted to a monthly breakdown of their pay and benefit information rather than waiting until the end of the year to receive a RAS. Col. Ralph Lunt, DFAS deputy director for Retired and Annuitant Pay said “We looked at a number of ways to deliver what our customers want, and decided an electronic statement was the way to go.”