Improving Services

myPay

Straightforward tasks-such as viewing statements of leave and earnings, or reallocating pay among bank accounts-shouldn't turn into administrative headaches for military personnel stationed overseas. That's the philosophy behind myPay, a Defense Finance and Accounting Service project granting service members worldwide-as well as Defense Department civilians, annuity recipients and retirees-secure, 24-hour-a-day access to pay accounts, tax statements and travel vouchers via the Web or a toll-free number.

Through myPay, service members and civilians can initiate a range of pay account changes, including address updates and adjustments to taxes withheld, without having to visit a DFAS field office or file extensive paperwork.

Nearly 3 million people have signed up since its 2000 launch, and DFAS hopes to attract another million in the next year.

As myPay becomes more popular, DFAS continues to add features. One allows family members to view accounts (but blocks them from making any changes). The myPay system also offers electronic delivery of leave and earnings statements, an option that furnishes the statements up to 48 hours before payday and could save the Pentagon millions of dollars annually.

WHAT IT IS

A Web site and toll-free number allowing current and former Defense employees to access pay accounts from anywhere at any time.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

myPay eliminates paperwork and speeds the process of up-dating or making adjustments.

LESSON LEARNED

DFAS saved money and time by modeling myPay after technology developed by the Office of Personnel Management.