Return to Pointer View home page December 9,  2005

myPay Smart LESs

Story by Irene Brown
Chief, Command Information

Most federal employees are now receiving e-mail notices when their leave and earning statements are ready to be viewed thanks to the new SmartLES.

It’s just one part of the many upgrades the Defense Finance and Accounting Service has made to the myPay system.

“The myPay system is key for members to be able to take control of their pay information,” said DFAS officials. “By providing innovative tools, we help people focus on the mission rather than worrying about their pay and benefits.”

The SmartLES contains two types of embedded links: one that provides an explanation about specific blocks on the LES; another that allows comparison between current and previous pay period data.

“To receive the e-mails and access SmartLES, you must have an e-mail address within the myPay system and a myPay PIN,” said Kathy White-Glisson, chief of financial operations for West Point’s Directorate of Resource Management.

Many employees here said they find the new e-mail notification system a great thing.

“I love getting the notice that my LES is ready to look at,” said one public affairs employee. “I especially like that it comes early and that it’s so easy to understand.”

“Those without a myPay personal identification number,” White-Glisson said, “should go to the Web site (https://mypay.dfas.mil) and request one. Once an employee logs onto myPay they can see if their e-mail address is in the system and correct any conflicts.”

Checking personal information is important because employees signed up for myPay are also signed up for electronic LES’ and W2s.

“Since the new defense department directive went into effect in April, any employee who accessed myPay since July 1 has been defaulted to an electronic LES and W2,” White-Glisson explained. “On Jan. 1, DFAS will turn off hard copy LES’ and W2s for all employees with established personal identification numbers.”

Reviewing leave and earning statements online and stopping the delivery of the hard copy can save the Army money.

“If civilian employees alone were to receive their statements electronically, DOD would save more than $6 million a year,” White-Glisson explained. “Those without computer access can still get hard copies for now,” she added. “But the goal is to get employees more familiar with the benefits of myPay before all hard copies are stopped in October.”

Besides getting electronic copies of LES and tax statements, customers can adjust federal and state tax withholdings and update bank account and electronic transfers online.

myPay is available to all military members, military retirees and annuitants and DOD civilian employees. Anyone with questions about myPay can call customer support at (800) 390-2348, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Service members, civilian employees, retirees and annuitants can gain access to myPay by requesting a personal identification number online or by calling 1-800-390-2348.