While active duty military pay dates are the 1st and the 15th of each month, when the 1st or 15th falls on a weekend, the pay date shifts slightly.
One of the perks of using a bank like USAA or Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) is the ability to have your pay check funds available early. Typically the early pay date is one business day before the regular pay day, but when the regular pay day falls on a Monday, NFCU members receive their early pay on Saturday and USAA members receive their early pay the Friday before.
2020 Active Duty Military Pay Dates
| Pay Date | USAA Early Pay Date | NFCU Early Pay Date |
| Wed, Jan 15 | Tue, Jan 14 | Tue, Jan 14 |
| Fri, Jan 31 | Thu, Jan 30 | Thu, Jan 30 |
| Fri, Feb 14 | Thu, Feb 13 | Thu, Feb 13 |
| Fri, Feb 28 | Thu, Feb 27 | Thu, Feb 27 |
| Fri, Mar 13 | Thu, Mar 12* | Thu, Mar 12* |
| Wed, Apr 1 | Tue, Mar 31 | Tue, Mar 31 |
| Wed, Apr 15 | Tue, Apr 14 | Tue, Apr 14 |
| Fri, May 1 | Thu, Apr 30 | Thu, Apr 30 |
| Fri, May 15 | Thu, May 14 | Thu, May 14 |
| Mon, Jun 1 | Fri, May 29 | Fri, May 29 |
| Mon, Jun 15 | Fri, Jun 12* | Fri, Jun 12* |
| Wed, Jul 1 | Tue, Jun 30 | Tue, Jun 30 |
| Wed, Jul 15 | Tue, July 14 | Tue, July 14 |
| Fri, Jul 31 | Thu, Jul 30 | Thu, Jul 30 |
| Fri, Aug 14 | Thu, Aug 13 | Thu, Aug 13 |
| Tue, Sep 1 | Mon, Aug 31 | Sat, Aug 29 |
| Tue, Sep 15 | Mon, Sep 14 | Sat, Sept 12* |
| Thu, Oct 1 | Wed, Sep 30 | Wed, Sep 30 |
| Thu, Oct 15 | Wed, Oct 14 | Wed, Oct 14 |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Thu, Oct 29 | Thu, Oct 29 |
| Fri, Nov 13 | Thu, Nov 12* | Thu, Nov 12 |
| Tue, Dec 1 | Mon, Nov 30 | Sat, Nov 28 |
| Tue, Dec 15 | Mon, Dec 14 | Sat, Dec 12* |
| Thu, Dec 31 | Wed, Dec 30 | Wed, Dec 30 |
* Denotes longer pay periods
Where do the longer pay periods fall this year?
Since holidays and weekends shift the pay dates some throughout the year, there are always a few pay periods that are longer than others. When you add early pay into the equation, it can make some of these pay periods even longer.
- March 12 – 31 (NFCU) is a pay period of 19 days.
- June 12 – June 30 (USAA & NFCU) is a pay period of 18 days.
- September 12 – September 30 (NFCU) is a pay period of 18 days.
- November 12 – November 30 (USAA) is a pay period of 18 days.
- December 12 – December 30 (NFCU) is a pay period of 18 days.
This is important information for military families to take note. If you plan and budget for 15-16 day pay periods you may need to make a different plan for the months that have longer pay periods.
Pay special attention to the two longer pay periods at the end of the year. For USAA members you will have a longer time between pay checks in the second half of November. Remember to budget accordingly for Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping!
Perhaps even harder will be NFCU members with the long gap between pay checks the second half of December. Plan ahead on your holiday budgeting so you aren’t surprised by this 18 day pay period!
Don’t be surprised by these 18-19 day pay periods this year!
You are aware that it will be longer between pay checks on these dates, but what can you do? A good idea is plan to save on the shorter pay periods.
Many make the mistake of thinking that because a pay period was only 12-14 days long that they have extra money. Instead, set the extra aside for these longer gaps in pay. Speak with a friendly associate at USAA or Navy Federal about opening a savings account and how you can save in the shorter gaps to be prepared for these longer pay periods.
