DFAS Retired Pay Newsletter - March 2007

DFAS Retired Pay Newsletter – March 2007

The newsletter has changed! Due to recent security changes by several DoD sites, we have reformatted the newsletter to a text version so that it is compatible for all users. Many customers are unable to view the previous version of our newsletter because these new security restrictions do not allow it to be displayed correctly in some mailboxes. We still host the articles on our servers where, via the links below, you will still enjoy the appearance you are accustomed to in your internet browser. This step adds a measure of protection against various threats to your email inbox. We apologize for the short notice for this change and we thank you in advance for your patience.

Director's Corner

Welcome to the first issue of the DFAS Retired Pay Newsletter in 2007. Included in this issue you will find a number of helpful articles, including an update on the VA Retro program and how TRICARE is making it easy for retirees to pay their TRICARE Prime enrollment fees by establishing a monthly allotment from their retirement pay. You'll also uncover some additional information on TRICARE, along with pertinent Web sites, to help in your health care efforts. Please read more from Director Karl Bernhardt by using the following link:
http://www.dod.mil/dfas/dfasnewsletters/retpay/february07/Directors.htm

VA Retro Update

The Disabled Military Retiree Retroactive Pay program, commonly called VA Retro, is well underway. Eligible retirees are those receiving either Combat- Related Special Compensation (CRSC) or Concurrent Retirement Disability Payments (CRDP) and have been awarded a retroactive disability rating increase by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) since their date of initial entitlement. For more information about the VA Retro program, please follow the link below:
http://www.dod.mil/dfas/dfasnewsletters/retpay/february07/VA.htm


TRICARE Prime reminds retirees of a convenient payment option

TRICARE makes it easy for retirees to pay their TRICARE Prime enrollment fees by establishing a monthly allotment from their service retirement pay.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Public Health Service deducts the retirement pay allotment. More information about TRICARE can be found here:
http://www.dod.mil/dfas/dfasnewsletters/retpay/february07/TRICARE.htm

Concurrent Retirement Disability Payments Increase

Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP) is a phased-in restoration of the retired pay deducted from military retirees' accounts due to their receipt of Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) compensation (reflected on Retiree Account Statements as the "VA waiver"). Additional CRDP information can be found here:
http://www.dod.mil/dfas/dfasnewsletters/retpay/february07/CRDP.html


Tax Season Survival Guide

With tax deadlines approaching, retirees should have their 2006 information and forms ready to go. Retired Pay Account Statements (RAS) and 1099Rs are posted to myPay (https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx) for quick and easy access. For retirees who do not have a myPay account or have requested hardcopy documents, these forms were mailed on schedule in December. For retirees who have not received their end-of-year statements and tax forms, several options exist to request DFAS reissue them. Please read more about important tax information at the following link:
http://www.dod.mil/dfas/dfasnewsletters/retpay/february07/Tax.html

To get your own letter log into myPay using the link below https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx