By DFAS Cleveland and Army Retirement Services     July 2026

If you are a Reserve or Guard Soldier preparing to retire, this article provides dedicated resources to ensure you have a smooth transition.

Did you know there's a special kind of myPay account specifically set up for Gray Area Retirees?

"Future Retiree"

As we honor your service and you step into this exciting next chapter, take a moment to establish your myPay "Future Retiree" account with your current contact information. The Future Retiree account was designed to help the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), and the Army, share critical retirement information with you, and keep you informed while you are in the gray area.

Navigating the gap between when you stop drilling and before you reach the age of eligibility to draw retirement pay, means managing several critical administrative, financial, and healthcare issues, so your compensation and benefits remain fully protected.

This requires one very important step for you — creating your Future Retiree account and making sure your updated contact information is on file. This means using a personal email account, and not your .mil account, which will no longer be used once you stop drilling.

Once you have an active account, DFAS can deliver hlpful information and timely reminders to you. For example, one of the most exciting uses for this new account is to deliver an email SmartDoc notification to Gray Area Retirees in the month of your 59th birthday. Most Gray Area Soldiers become eligible to apply for retired pay at age 60, or earlier, if qualified for reduced-age retirement. This email SmartDoc comes to you just as you turn 59, giving you adequate time and information on how to prepare to apply for retired pay. Even after completing 20 qualifying years of service, remember, you must actively submit a retirement application packet to begin receiving your pension and benefits.

The Future Retiree myPay account and these helpful SmartDoc messages are only available if you access the account and have a current email address on file. DFAS has also created a "Gray Area Future Retiree myPay Login Tips" guide to help users leverage this important account and receive SmartDoc email updates. You can find this guide on the main DFAS Gray Area Retiree webpage.

"Helpful Tips & Tools for Retirees new to retired pay" Reference Guide

As your time in the Gray Area concludes and you prepare to apply for retired pay, a lot of information comes your way —and fast! To help ease your transition, our "Helpful Tips & Tools" guide remains a key resource. This guide is your compass for understanding and managing your retired pay with confidence. Key highlights of the guide include navigating the transition from a bi-weekly to a monthly pay cycle, assessing your monthly Retiree Account Statement (RAS) and 1099-R tax forms through your myPay account (https://mypay.dfas.mil), navigating taxes in retirement, and the vital financial coordination required with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and DFAS.

Finally, remember, there are numerous resources with a wealth of information to help you and your family navigate this important transition. Listed below are some of the official Army websites for your convenience.

U.S. Army Human Resources Command Gray Area Retirements Branch: https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Gray%20Area%20Retirements%20Branch

U.S. Army Retirements Services: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Army-Retirement/Retirement-Planning

MyArmyBenefits: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/

U.S. Army Reserve Retirement Services: https://www.usar.army.mil/retirement/

ARNG Retirement Website: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/Retirement-Services/