USAA Military Pay Schedule

If you’re in the military, you’re almost certainly living on a budget, so you’ve got payday etched in your brain.

For servicemembers, payday usually falls on the 1^st or 15^th of the month – provided those days are on a weekday and not on a holiday.

If the 1^st or 15^th arrives on a weekend or holiday, payday typically will be on the next business day – usually the Monday after a weekend, or the day after the holiday.

A helpful exception is if a servicemember has a bank account with USAA, a highly rated banking and insurance company available only to those in the military. USAA military pay dates are one day before the 1^st or 15^th.

If payday is Feb. 15, with USAA you receive your money on Feb. 14, making for a most happy Valentine’s Day. There are no USAA April fools when payday is April 1, because servicemembers see their money on March 31.

The advantage is clear: While some servicemembers may be waiting a couple days for a paycheck, USAA provides it one day early. If payday is a Saturday, USAA members are paid on Friday while non-USAA members wait until Monday.

Why does this matter? Because if you’re like most people, the money runs out before the next check arrives. So it might make a big difference to get the money a day or two early.

Note: USAA is not the only bank that provides military pay a day early. A few other base banks and credit unions around the country offer the service, including the Navy Federal Credit Union, which even offers deposits a day or two before USAA. But USAA is the most well-known, and is a respected financial institution that helps members.

It is wise for servicemembers to understand the advantages USAA provides those who use their financial services. We will explain the payday advantages of using USAA compared to using another bank for active duty, retirees, and annuitants.

What Is USAA?

USAA is a free membership financial service for those in the military as well as their spouses and children. With its varied financial services, USAA does what it can to help those in the military make ends meet.

USAA stands for United Services Automobile Association, an acronym that has little to do with the services offered. It was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers so they could insure each other’s vehicles and has since grown to offer banking, investment and insurance services as well as financial advice to more than 12 million current and former members of the military, along with their families.

USAA has consistently ranked high for customer satisfaction. While some banks charge fees for checking accounts (especially those below a certain balance) and charge for each use of an ATM card, USAA offers fee-free checking and savings accounts, as well as 10 free ATM withdrawals a month.

USAA’s policy on payday deposits may be among its most attractive services.

Active Duty USAA Pay Dates

What is the difference for active duty servicemembers between having their paycheck deposited into a regular bank vs. having an account with USAA? Check the dates below for USAA military pay dates 2022. In every case, USAA members receive their money earlier.

Retiree USAA Pay Dates

Military retirees can receive a monthly benefit, also called High-36. This benefit plan is for those who have served for at least 20 years. It provides a lifetime monthly annuity that is calculated at 2.5% of the highest 36 months of basic pay (thus the name High-36). If that 36-month figure is $50,000 and you served  at least 20 years, you’ll receive $50,000 x 2.5% ,or $1,250 per month.

The pay date for military retirees is on the 1^st of each month. However, If that date is on a holiday or weekend, then the pay date is the first business day prior to the first of the month. If July 1 is a Saturday, payday would be June 30.

USAA retired military pay dates are one day early.

Here is a chart for 2022 paydays for retired non-USAA Members and USAA members

Annuitants USAA Pay Dates

Survivors of deceased military members – typically a spouse or children – are eligible for an annuity through the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Those who receive these lifetime annuities are called annuitants.

Annuitants receive a monthly payment from the servicemembers’ gross retired pay, so the annuity is not counted as income. Children become an annuitant if the surviving spouse dies or becomes ineligible for the annuity.

Annuitants typically receive their pay on the first of the month. However, if the first is a weekend or holiday, the pay is received on the following business day. If July 1 is a Saturday, annuitant pay comes on July 3, the following Monday.

The good news for USAA members: They receive their pay a day early regardless of the timing.

Here are the 2022 dates for annuitants for non-USAA members as well as members

Bottom Line

Given the importance of budgeting and knowing how much money is in your account, every single day matters when it comes to payday. For those in the military making ends meet as well as supporting a family back home, being paid an extra day or two early can make a difference in financial stability.

A USAA account that consistently ensures pay is in a servicemember’s account early provides a bit of financial security. The early payday helps active duty and retired servicemembers – and perhaps most important provides a small bit of help to families who have tragically lost a loved one.