Military pay arrives on the 1st and 15th for active duty, while retirees get paid on the 1st only. Federal GS employees receive biweekly pay every other Friday. All shift earlier for holidays.
Here's the thing about military and federal pay schedules—they're actually more predictable than most people realize. Whether you're active duty getting paid on the 1st and 15th, a military retiree receiving payment on the 1st, or a federal GS employee on a biweekly schedule, your 2025 paydays follow a set pattern that rarely changes.
I've been tracking DFAS and OPM pay schedules for years, helping thousands of service members and federal employees navigate their pay calendars. The confusion usually comes from three things: not understanding how holidays shift payments, not knowing when your LES becomes available, and missing out on early deposit opportunities with banks like Navy Federal and USAA.
Lemme tell you exactly when every payment hits in 2025, including the new pay raises (4.5% for most military, 14.5% for junior enlisted, and 2.0% for federal employees), plus show you how to get your money 1-2 days early. This comprehensive guide covers all branches, all pay grades, and all federal employee categories.
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Quick Pay Schedule Finder:
2025 Active Duty Military Pay Schedule (All Branches)
Quick Answer: Active duty military members get paid on the 1st and 15th of each month. If either date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payment arrives on the last business day before. This applies to Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
According to DFAS official 2025 pay schedule, here's when active duty and full-time National Guard/Reserve members receive their pay:
| Month | Mid-Month Pay | End-Month Pay | Holiday/Weekend Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Jan 15 (Wed) | Jan 31 (Fri) | Regular schedule |
| February 2025 | Feb 14 (Fri) | Feb 28 (Fri) | 15th is Saturday |
| March 2025 | Mar 14 (Fri) | Mar 31 (Mon) | 15th is Saturday |
| April 2025 | Apr 15 (Tue) | Apr 30 (Wed) | Regular schedule |
| May 2025 | May 15 (Thu) | May 30 (Fri) | 31st is Saturday |
| June 2025 | Jun 13 (Fri) | Jun 30 (Mon) | 15th is Sunday |
| July 2025 | Jul 15 (Tue) | Jul 31 (Thu) | Regular schedule |
| August 2025 | Aug 15 (Fri) | Aug 29 (Fri) | 31st is Sunday, 1st is Friday |
| September 2025 | Sep 15 (Mon) | Sep 30 (Tue) | Regular schedule |
| October 2025 | Oct 15 (Wed) | Oct 31 (Fri) | Regular schedule |
| November 2025 | Nov 14 (Fri) | Nov 26 (Wed) | 15th is Sat, 1st is Sat |
| December 2025 | Dec 15 (Mon) | Dec 31 (Wed) | Regular schedule |
Important: Your pay covers the PREVIOUS period. Mid-month pay on the 15th covers work from the 1st-15th. End-of-month pay covers the 16th through month's end.
Reserve and National Guard Drill Pay
Reserve component members follow the same 1st and 15th schedule for their drill pay, but processing can vary by unit. Your pay typically arrives 5-10 days after completing your drill weekend, processed with the next regular pay cycle.
2025 Military Retiree and Annuitant Pay Schedule
Military retirees have a different schedule than active duty. According to DFAS Retired Military pay schedule, you receive payment once monthly on the 1st.
| Month | Retiree Pay Date | Annuitant Pay Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 (Tue) | Jan 2, 2025 (Thu) | New Year's Day shift |
| February 2025 | Jan 31, 2025 (Fri) | Feb 3, 2025 (Mon) | Weekend shift |
| March 2025 | Feb 28, 2025 (Fri) | Mar 3, 2025 (Mon) | Weekend shift |
| April 2025 | Apr 1, 2025 (Tue) | Apr 1, 2025 (Tue) | Regular schedule |
| May 2025 | May 1, 2025 (Thu) | May 1, 2025 (Thu) | Regular schedule |
| June 2025 | May 30, 2025 (Fri) | Jun 2, 2025 (Mon) | Weekend shift |
| July 2025 | Jul 1, 2025 (Tue) | Jul 1, 2025 (Tue) | Regular schedule |
| August 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 (Fri) | Aug 1, 2025 (Fri) | Regular schedule |
| September 2025 | Aug 29, 2025 (Fri) | Sep 2, 2025 (Tue) | Labor Day shift |
| October 2025 | Oct 1, 2025 (Wed) | Oct 1, 2025 (Wed) | Regular schedule |
| November 2025 | Oct 31, 2025 (Fri) | Nov 3, 2025 (Mon) | Weekend shift |
| December 2025 | Dec 1, 2025 (Mon) | Dec 1, 2025 (Mon) | Regular schedule |
Key Difference: Retirees get paid EARLY when the 1st falls on a weekend/holiday (last business day of previous month). Annuitants get paid LATE (first business day of the month). This can create a 4-day difference!
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Get Your Pay Tracker Bundle - $172025 Federal Employee Pay Schedule (GS/Civilian)
Federal civilian employees under the General Schedule (GS) system receive biweekly pay every other Friday. The GSA 2025 payroll calendar shows 26 pay periods for the year.
2025 Federal Biweekly Pay Dates:
| Pay Period | Period Dates | Official Pay Date | EFT Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP 01 | Dec 15-28, 2024 | Jan 8, 2025 | Jan 3, 2025 |
| PP 02 | Dec 29-Jan 11 | Jan 22, 2025 | Jan 17, 2025 |
| PP 03 | Jan 12-25 | Feb 5, 2025 | Jan 31, 2025 |
| PP 04 | Jan 26-Feb 8 | Feb 19, 2025 | Feb 14, 2025 |
| PP 05 | Feb 9-22 | Mar 5, 2025 | Feb 28, 2025 |
| PP 06 | Feb 23-Mar 8 | Mar 19, 2025 | Mar 14, 2025 |
| PP 07 | Mar 9-22 | Apr 2, 2025 | Mar 28, 2025 |
| PP 08 | Mar 23-Apr 5 | Apr 16, 2025 | Apr 11, 2025 |
| PP 09 | Apr 6-19 | Apr 30, 2025 | Apr 25, 2025 |
| PP 10 | Apr 20-May 3 | May 14, 2025 | May 9, 2025 |
| ... continues through PP 26 ... | |||
Federal Holiday Impact on Pay
Federal employees should note these 2025 holidays that affect pay periods:
2025 LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) Release Schedule
Knowing when your LES becomes available is crucial for budget planning. Based on DFAS patterns, here's when to expect your statements:
| Month | Mid-Month LES | End-Month LES | Access Via |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Jan 7-8 | Jan 23-24 | MyPay |
| February | Feb 6-7 | Feb 21-22 | MyPay |
| March | Mar 6-7 | Mar 24-25 | MyPay |
| April | Apr 7-8 | Apr 23-24 | MyPay |
| May | May 7-8 | May 23-24 | MyPay |
| June | Jun 6-7 | Jun 23-24 | MyPay |
| July | Jul 7-8 | Jul 24-25 | MyPay |
| August | Aug 7-8 | Aug 22-23 | MyPay |
| September | Sep 8-9 | Sep 23-24 | MyPay |
| October | Oct 7-8 | Oct 24-25 | MyPay |
| November | Nov 6-7 | Nov 21-22 | MyPay |
| December | Dec 8-9 | Dec 23-24 | MyPay |
What to Check on Your LES:
Early Direct Deposit: Navy Federal vs USAA Comparison
This frustrated me initially when banks advertised "early pay" but didn't explain the details. After testing both Navy Federal and USAA extensively, here's exactly how early military pay works:
| Bank | Early Deposit | Requirements | Reliability | Time Posted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Federal | 1 business day early | Active Duty Checking | Very reliable | 4-8 AM EST |
| USAA | Up to 2 days early | Direct deposit setup | When DFAS sends | Midnight-6 AM CST |
| Service CU | 2 days early | Member account | Good | Varies |
| Armed Forces Bank | 1 day early | Direct deposit | Good | Morning |
| Pentagon Federal | 1 day early | Checking account | Good | 6 AM EST |
Early Deposit Example - January 15, 2025 Pay:
Pro Tip: USAA's "up to 2 days early" depends entirely on when DFAS releases the payment file. Navy Federal's 1-day early is more consistent. Both beat traditional banks that hold funds until the official date.
2025 Military and Federal Pay Raise Breakdown
After years of advocacy, 2025 brought significant pay increases, especially for junior enlisted members:
Military Pay Raises (Effective January 1, 2025):
| Pay Grade | Raise Percentage | Example Monthly Increase | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 to E-4 | 14.5% | $280-$380/month | Historic junior enlisted boost |
| E-5 to E-9 | 4.5% | $140-$270/month | Standard raise |
| O-1 to O-3 | 4.5% | $180-$260/month | Junior officers |
| O-4 to O-6 | 4.5% | $310-$430/month | Field grade |
| O-7 to O-10 | 2.0-3.0% | $200-$350/month | Flag officers limited |
Federal Civilian Pay Raise (Effective January 12, 2025):
2025 Allowance Updates:
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Start Your Free Pay AlertsSpecial Situations: PCS, Deployment, and Retirement Transitions
We've all been there when a PCS move or deployment throws off our normal pay schedule. Here's what to expect:
PCS (Permanent Change of Station) Pay:
Deployment Pay Additions:
Retirement Transition Timeline:
Frequently Asked Questions About Military & Federal Pay
Why is military pay on the 1st and 15th instead of every two weeks?
Military pay follows a semi-monthly schedule (twice per month on set dates) rather than biweekly (every 14 days). This creates predictable paydays that don't shift throughout the year. Federal civilians use biweekly pay, resulting in 26 pay periods annually versus military's 24.
When do military retirees get the 2025 COLA increase?
Military retirees received the COLA increase starting with their December 31, 2024 payment (for January 2025). The increase matches Social Security's 2.5% COLA. Your exact amount depends on your retirement pay grade and years of service.
Can federal employees get early direct deposit like military?
Yes, many banks offer early deposit for federal employees. Navy Federal and USAA typically release federal pay 1-2 days early, similar to military pay. The key is using a bank that processes ACH payments immediately rather than holding them.
What happens to military pay during a government shutdown?
Active duty military continue getting paid during shutdowns due to separate legislation. However, federal civilian employees (including DoD civilians) may be furloughed without pay. Military retirees and VA benefits also continue during shutdowns.
How do I access my LES after separating from the military?
You can access LES statements for 12 months after separation via MyPay. After that, request copies from DFAS (Army/Air Force) or your service's finance center (Navy/Marines). Save PDFs before separating as MyPay access eventually expires.
Why did junior enlisted get a bigger raise in 2025?
Congress approved a targeted 14.5% raise for E-1 through E-4 to address recruiting/retention challenges and cost of living pressures on junior troops. This historic increase aims to ensure service members aren't struggling financially while serving.
Do Guard and Reserve members get paid the same as active duty?
Guard/Reserve receive the same base pay rate but prorated for duty days. A drill weekend (4 drill periods) equals 4 days of base pay. During activation or deployment, they receive full active duty pay and allowances.
Key Takeaways: Master Your 2025 Military & Federal Pay
Look, I get it—keeping track of multiple pay schedules, LES dates, and early deposit options can feel overwhelming. But after helping thousands navigate these systems, here are the essential points:
Remember, understanding your pay schedule isn't just about knowing when money hits your account—it's about planning your financial future with confidence. Whether you're active duty, retired, or a federal employee, these schedules rarely change, making them one of the most reliable aspects of government service.
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