New mandate requires electronic pay Published Jan. 10, 2013 By Senior Airman Katherine Holt 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Electronic funds transfer for military pay will be mandatory for all service members, retirees and Department of Defense civilians beginning March 1, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service encourages all affected personnel to set up a direct deposit to their bank accounts prior to the changeover. "The Treasury has estimated that the U.S. government spends about $130 million each year to print and mail paper checks," said David McDermott, DFAS deputy director of operations. "DFAS alone spends $2 million that would otherwise be used by the military services and DOD agencies in support of our warfighters." With the change affecting retirees and their annuitants, the Barksdale Retiree Activities Office also offers assistance to community members. "The RAO is more than willing to help retirees out, in the office or on the phone, for what's needed to transition from paper to electronic deposit," said Col. (Ret) Steven DePyssler, RAO director. For more information on the mandate, visit the DFAS website at www.dfas.mil/mandatoryeft.html.