The basic process for changing your account
To change your checking account with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you need to update your account information in the system they use to deposit your federal pay or annuity. The steps depend on whether you receive a salary as a federal employee or a retirement annuity, but both routes start the same way: you tell OPM your new bank details before your next scheduled deposit.
OPM does not handle the change directly through a website or phone call to them. Instead, you update your banking information through the payroll system your agency uses, or through the retirement system if you are receiving an annuity. This means the exact steps vary slightly depending on your situation, but the goal is the same — making sure your money goes to the right account.
The change usually takes effect on your next pay cycle or annuity payment, which typically means one to two weeks after you submit it. Some agencies process changes faster, but you should assume two weeks to be safe and plan accordingly with your old bank.
Key Takeaways
- Federal employees update their checking account through their agency's payroll system, not directly through OPM.
- Federal retirees receiving an annuity update their account through the retirement system — either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- You will need your new bank's routing number and your new account number before you start the process.
- The change takes effect on your next scheduled deposit, which is usually one to two weeks after you submit the request.
If you are a current federal employee
Your agency's human resources or payroll office manages your direct deposit information. The fastest way to change your account is to log into your agency's employee self-service portal — this is often called Employee Express, Alaskan, or a similar system depending on which agency you work for. Look for a section labeled "Pay" or "Direct Deposit" and select the option to update your banking information.
You will need to enter your new bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your new account number. Your new bank can provide both of these numbers, or you can find them on a blank check from your new account. Some agencies let you make this change online when ready; others require you to print a form, sign it, and submit it to your payroll office in person or by mail.
If you cannot access the self-service portal or are unsure which system your agency uses, contact your agency's payroll or human resources office directly. They can walk you through the process or make the change for you over the phone, though they may ask you to follow up with a signed form for their records.
If you are receiving a federal retirement annuity
Retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) update their direct deposit through the retirement system's website or by contacting the system directly. For CSRS retirees, contact the Office of Personnel Management's Retirement Services. For FERS retirees, the process depends on which agency administered your pension — most often it is the Office of Personnel Management, but some retirees are handled by the Department of Defense or the Department of the Interior.
You can update your account online if your retirement system offers a retiree portal. Log in with your Social Security number or employee identification number and look for "Direct Deposit" or "Banking Information." Enter your new routing number and account number, then submit. If you prefer not to use the online system, call the retirement office and ask to update your direct deposit by phone. They will verify your identity and make the change while you are on the call.
Write down the confirmation number or date they give you. This is your proof that the change was submitted, which matters if your payment does not arrive on schedule.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details before you log in or call, so you do not have to hunt for them mid-process. You will need your new bank's routing number and your new account number. If you have a blank check from your new account, both numbers are printed on it — the routing number is the first set of digits on the left, and the account number follows it. If you do not have a check, call your new bank's customer service line and ask for both numbers.
You may also need to know whether your new account is a checking account or savings account, since some systems ask you to specify. Have your Social Security number or employee ID number handy as well, since you will need it to verify your identity whether you are updating online or by phone.
Timing and what to expect
Once you submit your change, OPM and your agency's payroll system will process it before your next scheduled deposit. Federal employees are usually paid biweekly, so if you submit the change on a Tuesday, your next deposit will likely go to your new account on the following payday — roughly one to two weeks away. Retirees on a monthly schedule will see the change on their next monthly payment date.
Do not close your old account when ready after submitting the change. Wait until you see your first deposit arrive in your new account and confirm the amount is correct. This usually takes one to two weeks, but in rare cases a change can take longer if there is a processing delay. Once you have confirmed the deposit, you can close your old account or let it sit dormant.
If your payment does not arrive in your new account on the expected date, contact your payroll office or retirement office right away. Bring the confirmation number or date you received when you made the change. They can check whether the change went through and troubleshoot if something went wrong.
Changing your account if you receive both a salary and an annuity
Some people receive both a federal salary and a retirement annuity — for example, if you returned to federal work after retiring. You will need to update your account information in both systems separately. Update your salary through your agency's payroll system and your annuity through the retirement system. Both changes take effect on their own schedule, so your salary might go to your new account on one date and your annuity on another.
Make a note of when each payment is scheduled to arrive so you can confirm both deposits landed correctly. If one arrives and the other does not, contact the system that handles the missing payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my account the same day I open a new bank account?
Yes, as long as your new account is fully open and active. You will need the routing number and account number, which your new bank can give you when ready. However, your first deposit may not arrive for one to two weeks, so make sure your old account has enough money to cover expenses until then.
What if I submit the change but then change my mind?
Contact your payroll office or retirement office as soon as possible and ask them to revert the change. If you catch it before your next deposit, they can usually put it back to your old account. If the deposit has already gone to your new account, you will need to transfer the money back to your old account yourself or ask your new bank to reverse it.
Do I need to tell OPM directly about my new account?
No. OPM does not manage direct deposit changes directly. You update your information through your agency's payroll system (if you are an employee) or through your retirement system (if you are a retiree). The retirement system then tells OPM where to send your payment.
What happens if I enter the wrong account number?
Your deposit will go to the wrong account, and you will need to contact that bank to get the money back. This can take several days. To avoid this, double-check your new account number before you submit the change, and confirm your first deposit arrived in the correct account before closing your old one.
Can I have my federal pay split between two accounts?
Yes. Most payroll systems allow you to split your direct deposit between a checking account and a savings account, or between two different banks. When you update your direct deposit information, look for an option to add a second account. You will specify how much money goes to each account — either a dollar amount or a percentage of your total pay.