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Retiree and Annuitant Pay 2026

When Will Retirees and Annuitants Receive Their Payments in 2026?

If you are on active duty, you get paid on the 1st and 15th of every month. You can see the list of Military Pay Dates here. However, what about if you are a retiree or an annuitant? And who gets that type of pay?

Retirement Pay

You would receive retiree pay if you served on active duty in the US for at least 20 years. You also receive retirement pay if you retire medically from the US military.

These all count toward years of service:

• Active service
• Active duty for training
• Active duty for special work
• Temporary tour of active duty
• Full-time National Guard duty
• Active Guard/Reserve time

Retirement is different for reservists. They have to accrue 20 years of service and reach the age of 60 to receive that pay.

These count towards years of service:

• Active service
• Active duty for training
• Active duty for special work
• Temporary tour of Active duty
• Full-time National Guard duty
• Active Guard/Reserve time

Military Pay Dates for Retirees 2026

For retirees, if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, they get paid on the last business day of the prior month.

2026 Entitlement Month	Retired Pay Date for 2026
January	Jan 30
February	Feb 27
March	Apr 1
April	May 1
May	Jun 1
June	Jul 1
July	Jul 31
August	Sep 1
September	Oct 1
October	Oct 30
November	Dec 1
December	Dec 31

Annuitant Pay

Annuitants are paid to eligible survivors of deceased retired or active duty military members. They are typically a spouse or child, or a former spouse.

Military Pay Dates for Annuitants 2026

For annuitants, if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, they get paid on the first business day of the month.

Entitlement Month 2026	Annuitant Pay Date 2026
December 2025	Jan 2
January	Feb 2
February	Mar 2
March	Apr 1
April	May 1
May	Jun 1
June	Jul 1
July	Aug 3
August	Sep 1
September	Oct 1
October	Nov 2
November	Dec 1
December	Jan 4, 2027