Online Pay Site Offers Improved Customer Service To American Forces
A new online pay account management system launched this fall promises improved service and information security to military members, DoD civilians, military retirees and annuitants.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service system, called myPay, replaces the previous Employee/Member Self-Service online system. The site requires users’ Web browsers be equipped with 128-bit encryption to conduct secure transactions.
A revamped page design helps myPay users find information and complete transactions more quickly, officials noted. They receive clear confirmation messages.
Self-service online pay management systems like myPay let service members focus on their mission by eliminating worries and hassles associated with pay and benefits, said DFAS Director Tom Bloom.
Through myPay, he said, authorized customers can use existing Employee/Member Self-Service personal identification numbers to:
o View, print and save leave and earnings statements.
o View and print tax statements (military members will have this service available in January 2003).
o Change federal and state tax withholdings.
o Update bank account and electronic funds transfer information.
o Manage allotments (service varies according to military branch).
o Edit address information (service varies according to military branch).
o Purchase U.S. Savings Bonds (service varies according to military branch).
o Control Thrift Savings Plan enrollment (military only).
o View and print travel vouchers (service varies according to service branch and travel status).
Using myPay saves the military and taxpayers millions of dollars in printing, postage and customer service costs, DFAS officials noted. In fact, they said, DoD could save nearly $6 million a year if all its civilian personnel received electronic leave and earning statements.
DFAS officials said answering common questions and allowing account updates online could save an estimated 17 percent of costs associated with traditional customer-service activities.
Customers who use myPay can do anything online that they previously had to stand in line to do, Bloom pointed out.
