Military retirement checklist

Plan ahead

• Start pre-separation counselingMilitary OneSource says retirees should start at least 2 years out. The law says it must start no later than 365 days before you leave.
• Ask when your branch needs your retirement requestYour career counselor or personnel office knows the deadline for your branch and rate.
• Run your numbersRetired pay, VA pay, taxes, health costs and the month money runs lowest. The free Runway planner does this in a few minutes.
• Pick a job, school or business pathSkillBridge, the GI Bill and VA Veteran Readiness and Employment all need lead time.

File early and decide

• File your VA disability claim (Benefits Delivery at Discharge)With 180 to 90 days left on active duty you can file through Benefits Delivery at Discharge, so VA pay can start sooner.
• Schedule your separation health examSchedule it well ahead. If you are filing a VA claim, schedule it no later than 90 days before you separate. Fill out DD Form 2807-1 first.
• Get copies of your medical and dental recordsKeep your own copy for the VA claim and your next doctor.
• SkillBridge can startIt runs in your last 180 days of service and needs your commander’s approval.
• Blended Retirement? Decide on the lump sumYou choose 25%, 50% or no lump sum on DD Form 2656 at least 90 days before you retire. A lump sum lowers your monthly retired pay until age 67.

Paperwork and the move

• Choose Survivor Benefit Plan coverageSign DD Form 2656 before your retirement date. Military OneSource advises 60 to 90 days before. Less than full spouse coverage needs your spouse’s notarized signature.
• Plan terminal leave or selling leaveAsk your command what it will approve. Selling leave pays basic pay for each day, taxed.
• Book your final move with the transportation officeRetirees generally have 3 years to ship household goods, with extensions up to 6 years.
• Life insurance after SGLISGLI ends 120 days after you separate. Compare VGLI, VALife (if you have a VA rating) and private term insurance.

Your last day in uniform

• Check your DD-214 before it is finalMake sure dates, awards and your character of service are right. Keep several certified copies.
• Update DEERS and get new ID cardsYou and your family need retiree ID cards.

The first year

• Watch for your first retired payIt usually takes about 60 days after your retirement date if DFAS has a complete package. Log in to myPay to check.
• Enroll in a TRICARE health plan within 90 daysYou have 90 days after your retirement date to enroll.
• Apply for VGLI within 240 daysApply within 240 days of leaving to skip the health questions. The last day to apply is 1 year and 120 days after you separate.
• Enroll in VA health careCombat veterans have extra time-limited eligibility, so apply early.
• Update your will, beneficiaries and power of attorneyYour base legal office can help with a will before you leave.

The forms you will see

Tap a form name to open the official government page. Steps and timelines can differ by branch, so your personnel and transition offices have the final word.

Get these forms and all 20 steps as a PDF

Questions

When should I start my military retirement?

Military OneSource says retirees should start pre-separation counseling at least 2 years before they retire, and the law says it must start no later than 365 days before. Ask your career counselor when your branch needs your retirement request.

When should I file my VA disability claim?

With 180 to 90 days left on active duty you can file through Benefits Delivery at Discharge. Schedule your separation health exam no later than 90 days before you leave if you are filing a claim.

When is the Survivor Benefit Plan decision due?

You sign DD Form 2656 before your retirement date, and Military OneSource advises 60 to 90 days before. Choosing less than full coverage for an eligible spouse needs the spouse’s notarized signature.

Sources

• Military OneSource: Transition Assistance Program
• VA: when to file a disability claim
• Military Health System: separation health exam
• Military OneSource: Survivor Benefit Plan
• DoD: Blended Retirement lump sum fact sheet
• DFAS: how long retired pay takes
• TRICARE: retiring
• VA: Veterans’ Group Life Insurance
• VA: health care eligibility
• NAVSUP: household goods for retirees

I’m a Navy veteran, not a personnel officer. Checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with your transition and personnel offices.

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