Military pay reference
2026 Military Pay Dates
Start with the official DFAS schedule, then see when Navy Federal or USAA may make the same deposit available.
August end-of-month
Tue, Sep 1, 2026
14 days away
DFAS official payday. Your bank may make funds available earlier.
Compare every 2026 active-duty pay date
The table deliberately uses three labels. DFAS dates are official paydays. Navy Federal dates are published availability dates for eligible Free Active Duty Checking accounts. USAA dates are the earliest estimate allowed by its “up to two business days early” policy.
| Pay period | DFAS official | Navy Federal early | USAA earliest estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| January mid-month | |||
| January end-of-month | |||
| February mid-month | |||
| February end-of-month | |||
| March mid-month | |||
| March end-of-month | |||
| April mid-month | |||
| April end-of-month | |||
| May mid-month | |||
| May end-of-month | |||
| June mid-month | |||
| June end-of-month | |||
| July mid-month | |||
| July end-of-month | |||
| August mid-month | |||
| August end-of-month | |||
| September mid-month | |||
| September end-of-month | |||
| October mid-month | |||
| October end-of-month | |||
| November mid-month | |||
| November end-of-month | |||
| December mid-month | |||
| December end-of-month |
Never schedule an essential bill earlier than the official payday solely because an early deposit has arrived early before.
Choose the schedule that matches your payment
Active duty
Mid-month and end-of-month DFAS paydays, including LES availability.
View schedule →Navy Federal
Published early and regular funds-available dates.
View schedule →USAA
Earliest estimated dates with policy caveats.
View schedule →Military retired pay
Monthly retired pay dates, kept separate from annuitant dates.
View schedule →SBP annuitant pay
DFAS annuity dates where month-end timing can differ.
View schedule →VA disability
Monthly benefit-payment schedule for the preceding entitlement month.
View schedule →How active-duty military pay dates are set
Active-duty members normally receive a mid-month payment on the 15th and an end-of-month payment on the first day of the following month. DFAS adjusts the date when the normal payday conflicts with a weekend or federal holiday.