Afterburner Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about the Afterburner, News for USAF Retired Personnel.

Question:  What is the Afterburner?
Answer:  The Afterburner is a publication designed to keep Air Force retirees and annuitants informed about laws, policies and procedures affecting them.  Authorized by Air Force Instruction 36-3106, it is published twice a year by the Air Force Personnel Center Retiree Services section.  When funding permits, a hard copy is printed and mailed to select recipients; otherwise, recipients receive an electronic edition.  All Afterburners are posted on the Air Force Retiree Services website at www.retirees.af.mil.  Just click on "Library" on the top navigation bar of the home page and select Afterburner from the drop-down menu. 

Q:  Who can receive the Afterburner ?
A:  The criteria covers several categories.
     -- Individuals entitled to Air Force retired pay.
     -- Surviving spouses of retirees, automatically if they:
          -- Receive an annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan;
          -- Receive an annuity under the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan; or
          -- Receive an annuity under the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan.
     -- Unremarried non-annuitant surviving spouses of deceased Air Force members who were entitled to receive retired pay may receive the  Afterburners via mail by requesting it in writing to: AFPC/DPFFF, 550 C Street W, JBSA-Randolph TX 78150-4713. The Afterburner is not sent to former spouses or to retirees of other services.  Additional copies are not available.

Q:  How else can I receive news and information specifically for Air Force retirees?
A:  The Air Force Retiree News Service is also disseminated electronically to subscribers. AFRNS articles are written/edited specifically for retired Air Force members, their family members and surviving spouses. Much of this same information is included in the Afterburner and e-Afterburner. When a new e-Afterburner is posted on the Web, an announcement is transmitted to AFRNS subscribers. Click on Subscribe on the top navigation bar on the home page. Then:
-- Click on the "Sub" dot for the Afterburner/AFRNS. 
-- Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your e-mail address.
-- Click on "Submit"
You must respond to the confirmation e-mail for the electronic subscription to begin.

Q:  How can I contact the Afterburner office?
A:  You can write to:  AFPC/DPFFF, 550 C Street W, JBSA-Randolph TX 78150-4713; send e-mail to afpc.retiree@randolph.af.mil; or call (210) 565-2126.

Q:  How do I change my mailing address for the Afterburner?
A:  To change your address for official Air Force correspondence, including the Afterburner, please use the following procedures:

Retirees -- Those members receiving or entitled to receive retired pay, including retirees whose pay (part or all), comes from Veterans Affairs from civil service because of combined federal service, mail change of address to:

Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retired Pay
8899 E 56th Street 
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200
FAX: (800) 469-6559

When phoning, do not mention the Afterburner; otherwise, you will be referred to the Air Force Personnel Center Retiree Services section and they cannot change your official address.  Tell the customer service representative only that you are an Air Force retiree and you wish to change your correspondence address.  Afterburners are mailed to your address on file with DFAS.  When writing or faxing, include your rank and at least the last four digits of your Social Security number, and sign the letter.

SBP/RSFPP annuitants -- Those surviving spouses who receive or are entitled to a Survivor Benefit Plan/Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan annuity (this includes surviving spouses of retirees who were enrolled in SBP/RSFPP but who are receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation in lieu of the SBP/RSFPP) mail changes to: 

Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Annuitant Pay
8899 E 56th Street 
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1300
Fax: 800-982-8459

When phoning, do not mention the Afterburner; otherwise, you will be referred to the Air Force Personnel Center Retiree Services Section and they cannot change your address.  Tell the customer service representative only that you are an annuitant and wish to change your correspondence address.  Afterburners are mailed to your address on file with DFAS.  When writing or faxing, include your full name and at least the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Non-SBP/RSFPP Annuitants -- Surviving spouses of retirees who were not enrolled in either the Survivor Benefit Plan or Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan (but who may or may not be receiving a Dependency and Indemnity Compensation pension from the VA), mail the new address and include the sponsor's retired grade and Social Security number to:

HQ AFPC/DPFFF
550 C Street West 
JBSA-Randolph TX 78150-4713

This office cannot process address changes by phone.