Fill out Form RI 20-97 Online in 2026

Form RI 20-97, Estimated Earnings During Military Service, is designed for federal employees seeking to estimate their earnings while on active military duty. This document is essential for ensuring that your military pay is credited to your retirement fund. To complete the form, you must fill out blocks 1 through 11, providing your personal information and military service details. Additionally, you need to attach your DD 214 or similar documents, as this ensures that your military service is accurately reflected in your retirement benefits.

Form RI 20-97 is important for military personnel and federal employees. Here’s what it’s used for:

• Request estimated basic pay for military service after December 31, 1956.
• Provide estimated earnings for retirement credit.
• Make a deposit to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
• Verify active duty service for military payroll.

1. Complete blocks 1 through 11 with your personal details: name, other names used, Social Security Number, date of birth, and military service numbers.

2. Specify your branch of service.

3. Provide your estimated basic pay earned during military service.

4. Attach supporting documents like your Honorable Discharge (DD 214) and any records of pay or promotions.

5. Check for accuracy in all completed fields.

6. Download the form to keep a copy for your records.

Federal employees, veterans, and survivors of military personnel are responsible for completing Form RI 20-97. This form is essential for calculating retirement benefits and recognizing military service in retirement credit.

The form is used by veterans, Federal employees, survivors of military personnel, active military members, and administrative staff handling military earnings requests.

Form RI-20-97 is not required for people who aren't military veterans, haven't served on active duty, or aren't applying for military-related benefits. If you didn't earn any income during your service, you also don't need to fill out this form. Only those with qualifying military service or benefits should consider completing it.

The deadline for Form RI 20-97 is when you need to document your military service earnings for retirement credit. It should be submitted along with supporting documents, such as the DD 214 and any available pay or promotion records, to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) via fax or mail.

To get a blank Form RI 20-97, simply visit our website, where the form is already pre-loaded in our editor for you to fill out. Remember, CookPDF helps with filling and downloading forms, but not filing them.

To sign Form RI 20-97, Estimated Earnings During Military Service, you can create an electronic signature using CookPDF after filling out the necessary fields. Simply click on Fill Form, complete the form in the PDF editor, and then opt for an electronic signature before downloading your completed document. Remember to check for the latest updates regarding the form, as CookPDF does not support submission of forms.

To submit Form RI 20-97, print and mail it to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). Don’t forget to include supporting documents.

Make sure to attach your DD 214 and any records of pay or promotions. The mailing address can be found on the reverse side of the form.