Your Final 24-12 Months
Last reviewed: July 31, 2026.
Important educational notice
This article provides general educational information and is not official government guidance or individualized legal, tax, investment, insurance, healthcare, or financial advice. Military-benefit laws, eligibility standards, deadlines, forms, costs, and agency procedures may change or vary according to service branch, component, retirement type, location, and individual circumstances. Although Alta Vida Capital uses reasonable efforts to research and review its educational content, information may be incomplete, outdated, or contain errors or omissions. Before making or changing any benefit, insurance, tax, retirement, healthcare, or legal decision, confirm the current requirements directly with the responsible government agency and an appropriately qualified professional.
Scope of this checklist
This checklist focuses primarily on regular retirement directly from active duty and the final 12 months before retirement. Retirement preparation should begin earlier: retiring service members may begin the Transition Assistance Program as early as 24 months before retirement and must follow all applicable service-specific counseling and administrative deadlines. National Guard and Reserve members entering the Retired Reserve before becoming eligible for retired pay follow different retired-pay, RCSBP, TRICARE, recordkeeping, and administrative timelines. Disability retirement, medical separation, former-spouse orders, overseas retirement, and other special circumstances may also require different procedures.
What should a military retirement checklist include?
Preparing for military retirement is a coordinated process, not a single retirement-day event. The most time-sensitive decisions include the Survivor Benefit Plan election, VA disability claim timing, TRICARE retiree enrollment, DEERS
and completion of service-specific retirement requirements.
A complete checklist should also cover:
- military retired-pay estimates;
- TSP access and beneficiaries;
- life insurance;
- retirement orders and applicable service or separation records, including DD Form 214 when issued
- tax withholding and state taxation;
- wills, trusts, and powers of attorney;
- healthcare and dental transitions;
- retiree identification cards;
- written survivor instructions;
- post-retirement verification of pay and benefits.
What should you do 12 to 9 months before military retirement?
This stage is about establishing the timeline and collecting reliable information before making permanent decisions.
|
Task |
Why it matters |
Verify with |
|
Confirm your retirement date and service requirements |
Every other deadline depends on the effective retirement date |
Service personnel command |
|
Schedule retirement and transition counseling |
Each service has specific administrative requirements |
Installation transition office |
|
Attend the SBP briefing with your spouseg |
The election is difficult to change after retirement |
DFAS |
|
Premiums, taxes, and deductions reduce take-home pay |
DFAS and Military Compensation |
|
|
Inventory life insurance |
Some coverage may end or change at retirement |
Policy documents and insurer |
|
Gather medical and personnel records |
Missing records can delay claims and corrections |
Service personnel and medical offices |
|
Review the family’s expected post-retirement location |
Healthcare plans and state taxes can depend on residence |
TRICARE and state revenue agency |
Completion check
- Retirement date confirmed
- Transition counseling scheduled
- SBP briefing scheduled
- Retired pay estimated
- Insurance inventoried
- Medical and service records gathered
- Post-retirement residence identified
When should you file a VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge claim?
Eligible service members generally file a Benefits Delivery at Discharge claim between 180 and 90 days before separation or retirement. Applicants must know their separation date, provide current service treatment records and the required health assessment, and generally remain available for VA examinations for 45 days after filing.
A service member with fewer than 90 days remaining may still file a disability claim, but it will not proceed through the BDD program.
VA preparation steps
- Verify BDD eligibility.
- Gather service treatment records.
- Complete the Separation Health Assessment.
- Document claimed conditions accurately.
- Remain available for scheduled examinations.
- Keep copies of all submitted records.
Review the transition from SGLI and determine whether Veterans’ Group Life Insurance or another form of coverage is appropriate. Eligible members generally have 1 year and 120 days after leaving military service to apply for VGLI. Applicants who apply within 240 days generally do not have to provide evidence of good health.
What should you do 9 to 6 months before retirement?
This is the primary decision period.
|
Task |
Why it matters |
Verify with |
|
Evaluate SBP alongside other survivor resources |
SBP decisions can be difficult to reverse |
DFAS and Military OneSource |
|
Obtain life-insurance comparisons where appropriate |
Health and timing affect availability and cost |
Licensed insurer |
|
Compare retiree TRICARE options |
Active-duty coverage does not simply continue unchanged |
TRICARE |
|
Confirm every family member’s DEERS record |
TRICARE and ID-card eligibility rely on DEERS |
milConnect and RAPIDS |
|
Review TSP beneficiary information |
TSP death benefits follow applicable beneficiary and order-of-precedence rules |
TSP |
|
Review beneficiaries on other accounts |
Retirement and insurance accounts may pass outside a will |
Account provider |
|
Begin reviewing state taxation |
Military retired-pay treatment varies by state |
State revenue agency |
Important SBP point
If a married member declines spouse SBP coverage, elects child-only coverage, or elects less than full spouse coverage, the spouse’s notarized concurrence is generally required.
Once a married member validly declines spouse coverage at retirement, the member generally cannot later add coverage for that same spouse merely because the member changes their mind. Certain later qualifying events and congressionally authorized open seasons may create limited election rights and strict deadlines. Confirm any possible exception directly with DFAS.
TSP pays benefits according to a valid beneficiary designation on file. If no valid designation is on file, the statutory order of precedence applies. A will does not control distribution of the TSP account.
What should you do 6 to 3 months before retirement?
This period is focused on final elections, legal documents, and administrative preparation.
Task | Why it matters |
Complete the SBP election and required spouse concurrence | The election must be correctly documented |
File the VA BDD claim if eligible and not already filed | The BDD window closes 90 days before retirement |
Confirm myPay access and direct deposit | Retired-pay statements and withholding are managed through myPay |
Update wills, trusts, and powers of attorney | Retirement changes assets, income, insurance, and survivor needs |
Create a survivor instruction file | Family members need practical instructions, not only legal documents |
Review destination-state taxation | State treatment of military retired pay varies |
Complete required medical and dental appointments | Access and coverage rules change after retirement |
Review TSP access and contact information | Military email and account access may change |
Survivor instruction file
Include:
- key contacts;
- account locations;
- insurance policies;
- benefit elections;
- document locations;
- recurring household obligations;
- agency-notification instructions;
- names of legal, tax, insurance, and financial professionals.
Do not place unprotected passwords in an ordinary paper or digital file. Use an appropriate secure-password-management method.
What should you do during the final three months?
The final three months are about verification rather than introducing major new decisions.
Survivor Benefit Plan
- Confirm the election shown on retirement paperwork.
- Confirm the covered beneficiary category.
- Confirm the elected base amount.
- Confirm spouse concurrence was completed where required.
- Retain copies of every election document.
TRICARE preparation
Prepare for retiree enrollment before retirement:
- verify DEERS for every eligible family member;
- compare Prime, Select, overseas, and other available options;
- identify the enrollment process;
- estimate retiree costs;
- gather the necessary information;
- plan for new retiree identification cards.
Retirement is a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event. Retirees generally have 90 days after the retirement date to enroll in a retiree health plan. Certain retirees may request retroactive enrollment for up to 12 months, but claims cannot be paid until enrollment is completed, and retroactive fees may be due.
Documents and cash flow
- Verify the expected first retired-pay date.
- Estimate taxes, SBP premiums, healthcare costs, and allotments.
- Review the post-retirement household budget.
- Collect retirement orders and separation documents.
- Confirm where the DD 214 will be delivered.
- Arrange secure digital and physical document storage.
Retirement dental and vision coverage
Active-duty dental and vision coverage ends at retirement. Eligible retirees may enroll in FEDVIP dental coverage and may enroll in FEDVIP vision coverage when enrolled in a qualifying TRICARE health plan. Newly eligible retirees may generally enroll from 31 days before through 60 days after their military retirement date. Enrollment is not automatic. Enrolling before retirement can help prevent a gap in dental coverage.
What should you check on retirement day?
- Review the DD 214 carefully for accuracy.
- Review the DD Form 214 or other applicable service-specific separation or retirement record carefully for accuracy.
- Understand final active-duty pay and leave settlement.
- Confirm retired status is updated in DEERS.
- Obtain new retiree identification cards.
- Confirm family-member records.
- Begin retiree TRICARE enrollment.
- Confirm access to myPay, TSP, VA, and other essential accounts.
TRICARE specifically advises retirees to update DEERS and obtain new identification cards as part of the retirement transition.
What should you check during the first 90 days after retirement?
Retired pay
Review the first retired-pay statement for:
- gross retired pay;
- federal withholding;
- state withholding, if applicable;
- SBP premium;
- allotments;
- direct-deposit information;
- other deductions.
Healthcare
- Complete TRICARE retiree enrollment within the applicable 90-day window.
- Confirm coverage dates for every family member.
- Verify premium-payment arrangements.
- Confirm the primary care manager when using Prime.
- Verify prescription coverage.
- Review initial claims and explanations of benefits.
VA and TSP
- Review VA claim status and effective dates.
- Confirm TSP access and contact information.
- Confirm the TSP beneficiary designation.
- Do not transfer or withdraw funds without understanding the applicable tax and retirement consequences.
Family continuity
- Finalize the survivor instruction file.
- Tell the appropriate family member where documents are stored.
- Confirm beneficiary designations across all accounts.
- Review the household budget using actual retired-pay and healthcare figures.
Scope note: This guide focuses primarily on regular retirement directly from active duty and the final 12 months before retirement. Retiring service members should begin the Transition Assistance Program as early as 24 months before retirement. Individualized Initial Counseling and pre-separation counseling must generally begin no later than 365 days before the retirement date. National Guard and Reserve members entering the Retired Reserve before age 60 follow different retired-pay, RCSBP, TRICARE, and administrative timelines.
TSP pays benefits according to a valid beneficiary designation on file. If no valid designation is on file, the statutory order of precedence applies. A will does not control distribution of the TSP account.
What paperwork do you need for military retirement?
Document | Purpose | Source |
Retirement orders | Establish retirement authority and date | Service personnel office |
DD 214 | Official record of active service | Service personnel office |
SBP election documentation | Records survivor coverage | Personnel office and DFAS |
DEERS records | Establish family eligibility | milConnect and RAPIDS |
TRICARE enrollment confirmation | Proves retiree-plan enrollment | TRICARE |
Retiree ID cards | Support access to military benefits | RAPIDS |
myPay account | Retired pay and withholding | DFAS |
TSP records | Retirement savings and beneficiaries | TSP |
VA claim records | Disability claim and rating information | VA |
Insurance policies | Survivor and risk protection | Insurer |
Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney | Legal and estate instructions | Attorney or legal assistance |
Survivor instruction file | Practical family continuity | Household records |
Store originals and secure digital copies separately. Make sure the appropriate family member knows how to access them.
What changes with TRICARE after military retirement?
Active-duty plan coverage does not simply continue unchanged. Retirement creates new plan options, costs, enrollment requirements, and identification-card needs.
Retirees generally have 90 days after the retirement date to enroll in an available retiree plan. Failure to enroll may restrict access to space-available care at military facilities until another enrollment opportunity occurs.
What should you do with your TSP at military retirement?
Military retirement does not require an immediate withdrawal or transfer from the TSP.
At minimum:
- Confirm your login and contact information.
- Review the beneficiary designation.
- Understand Traditional and Roth balances.
- Review available withdrawal and distribution options.
- Understand applicable tax consequences.
- Evaluate creditor protection, expenses, investment options, and account-management needs before moving funds.
- Obtain qualified tax or financial guidance before making an irreversible decision.
TSP death benefits are governed by the applicable beneficiary designation and statutory order-of-precedence rules—not simply by instructions in a will. Divorce, beneficiary disputes, and qualifying court orders may require legal review.
This article does not address Roth-conversion strategy. That subject belongs in the TSP–FERS Calculator and its supporting resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is included in a military retirement checklist?
A complete checklist should cover retirement orders, retired-pay estimates, SBP, TRICARE, VA claims, DEERS, identification cards, TSP, beneficiaries, taxes, insurance, estate documents, and written survivor instructions.
- When should I start preparing for military retirement?
Begin approximately 12 to 24 months before retirement. Your exact administrative timeline depends on your branch, retirement type, location, and service requirements.
- How long does the military retirement process take?
The process varies by branch and circumstances. Administrative preparation, transition requirements, VA claims, healthcare planning, and family financial decisions can extend across the final year or longer.
- When is the Survivor Benefit Plan election made?
The SBP election is generally completed as part of retirement processing. Married members declining spouse coverage or choosing less than full spouse coverage generally need notarized spouse concurrence.
- Can SBP be added after retirement if it was declined?
Generally, no. DFAS states that spouse coverage ordinarily cannot be added after retirement unless Congress authorizes an SBP open season.
- When should I file a VA BDD claim?
Eligible service members generally file between 180 and 90 days before separation and must satisfy the VA’s documentation and examination requirements.
- How long do I have to enroll in TRICARE after retirement?
Retirees generally have 90 days after the retirement date to enroll. Retroactive enrollment may be available for up to 12 months in certain cases, but the 90-day window should remain the working deadline.
- Is military retired pay taxable?
Military retired pay is generally subject to federal income tax. State treatment varies substantially. Confirm current state rules and obtain qualified tax guidance.
- Do military retirees receive Social Security?
Military retirees may qualify for Social Security based on their covered earnings record. Military retired pay and Social Security are separate benefits.
- What paperwork is needed for military retirement?
Core documents include retirement orders, DD 214, SBP election records, DEERS information, TRICARE confirmation, myPay access, TSP records, VA claim records, and estate documents.
- What should I do with my TSP when I retire?
No immediate transaction is required solely because of retirement. Confirm access and beneficiaries, then understand distribution and tax consequences before transferring or withdrawing money.
- What is DEERS, and why does it matter?
DEERS records eligibility information used for military healthcare and identification cards. Incorrect records can delay retiree and dependent enrollment.
-
When will my first military retired-pay payment arrive?
DFAS states that first retired pay should generally be processed within approximately 60 days after the retirement date when it receives a complete and correct retirement package. Actual timing can vary. Confirm that the package was received, monitor the account through myPay, and maintain sufficient cash reserves for a possible processing delay.
- What should my family know before retirement?
Family members should know what income continues, what stops at death, what coverage exists, which agencies must be contacted, and where essential documents are stored.
- What should be reviewed every year after retirement?
***Review beneficiaries, SBP records, insurance, TRICARE enrollment, TSP information, estate documents, tax withholding, contact information, and the survivor instruction file.
Are your military retirement decisions coordinated?
Military retirement involves more than retired pay. Survivor protection, healthcare, TSP choices, taxes, beneficiaries, legal documents, and family instructions should work together.
Complete a private educational review across nine military-benefit and family financial areas. The assessment does not determine government-benefit eligibility or replace official benefits counseling.
Reviewer statement
Prepared and reviewed by Alta Vida Capital as educational content for military families preparing for retirement. Last reviewed July 29, 2026. Rules, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and costs change. Confirm all decisions with the responsible official agencies and qualified legal, tax, insurance, and financial professionals.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided “as is” solely for general educational and informational purposes. It is not official government guidance and does not constitute legal, tax, investment, insurance, healthcare, benefits, retirement-planning, or individualized financial advice. Reading this material does not create a client, advisory, fiduciary, attorney-client, insurance-producer, or other professional relationship.
Alta Vida Capital does not determine government-benefit eligibility, make official benefit calculations, process benefit elections, adjudicate claims, or act for any government agency. Alta Vida Capital is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or acting on behalf of the Department of Defense, DFAS, Department of Veterans Affairs, TRICARE, Thrift Savings Plan, Social Security Administration, BENEFEDS, or any other federal, state, or military agency.
Military-benefit laws, regulations, agency interpretations, eligibility requirements, deadlines, forms, premiums, costs, tax rules, and administrative procedures may change without notice and may vary according to service branch, component, retirement category, location, family status, and individual circumstances. Although reasonable efforts are made to research, review, cite, and update the information presented, Alta Vida Capital does not represent or warrant that all content is complete, current, accurate, or free from errors or omissions.
Readers are responsible for verifying all requirements, deadlines, elections, calculations, and decisions directly with the responsible government agency and appropriately qualified legal, tax, insurance, healthcare, and financial professionals before taking action. Do not delay an application, election, enrollment, claim, appeal, or other time-sensitive action based solely on information presented on this website.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Alta Vida Capital disclaims responsibility for losses, missed deadlines, denied claims, tax consequences, coverage gaps, penalties, costs, or other outcomes arising from reliance on this educational content. External links are provided for research convenience. Alta Vida Capital does not control and is not responsible for the accuracy, availability, security, or content of external websites.
Official sources reviewed
The following official resources were reviewed in preparing and updating this article. Links are provided so readers can verify current rules directly with the responsible agencies. Government webpages, forms, deadlines, costs, eligibility standards, and procedures may change after the review date.
1. Military OneSource — Military Retirement
Reviewed for Transition Assistance Program timing and military retirement-transition planning requirements.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/retirement-transition/
2. Department of Veterans Affairs — Pre-Discharge Claim
Reviewed for the Benefits Delivery at Discharge filing window and eligibility requirements.
https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/when-to-file/pre-discharge-claim/
3. DFAS — Survivor Benefit Plan Eligible Beneficiaries
Reviewed for SBP spouse coverage and notarized spouse-concurrence requirements.
https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/provide/sbp/coverage/
4. DFAS — Changing or Stopping SBP Coverage
Reviewed for post-retirement limitations, qualifying events, and possible changes to SBP coverage.
https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/provide/sbp/change/
5. DFAS — Gray Area Retirees
Reviewed for National Guard and Reserve retired-pay timing and reduced-age retirement considerations.
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/plan/Gray-Area-Retirees/
6. DFAS — Retired and Annuitant Pay Processing Times
Reviewed for the expected processing timeframe for a first retired-pay payment when DFAS receives a complete and correct retirement package.
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/about/how-long-does-it-take/
7. TRICARE — Retirement Changes Your TRICARE Coverage
Reviewed for retirement as a qualifying life event and the 90-day retiree-plan enrollment period.
https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/4385267/retirement-changes-your-tricare-coverage-learn-what-to-do-if-youre-retiring-in
8. Thrift Savings Plan — Determining Beneficiaries
Reviewed for beneficiary designations and the statutory order of precedence when no valid designation is on file.
https://www.tsp.gov/death-and-beneficiary-support/determining-beneficiaries/
9. Thrift Savings Plan — Leaving Uniformed Services
Reviewed for options available after leaving military service, including retaining an eligible account balance in the TSP.
https://www.tsp.gov/changes-in-your-career/leaving-uniformed-services/
10. BENEFEDS — FEDVIP Fact Sheet for Retiring Uniformed Service Members
Reviewed for retiree dental and vision eligibility and the enrollment period beginning 31 days before and ending 60 days after military retirement.
https://www.benefeds.gov/assets/ABO/documents/BEN10320_FEDVIP_Fact_Sheet_US.pdf
11. Internal Revenue Service — Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income
Reviewed for the federal income-tax treatment of length-of-service military retirement pay.
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p525.pdf
12. Social Security Administration — Military Retirement and Social Security
Reviewed for the relationship between military retirement pay and Social Security retirement benefits.
https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/veterans.html
13. Department of Defense Military Compensation — Retirement Calculators
Reviewed for official military retirement calculators and estimated retired-pay projections under applicable retirement systems.
https://militarypay.defense.gov/Calculators/
14. milConnect — Updating and Correcting DEERS Data
Reviewed for maintaining and correcting member and family information recorded in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.
https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/public/faq/DEERS-Updating_and_Correcting_DEERS_Data/NameSex
15. Department of Defense — ID Card Office Online
Reviewed for locating a RAPIDS office and managing retiree, sponsor, and eligible family-member identification-card services.
https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/
16. Defense Finance and Accounting Service — Using myPay
Reviewed for accessing Retiree Account Statements and managing retired-pay account information through myPay.
https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/manage/mypay/
17. National Archives — DD Form 214 and Separation Documents
Reviewed for the purpose, content, and general issuance of DD Form 214 and related separation records.
https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/dd-214
18. Department of Veterans Affairs — Veterans’ Group Life Insurance
Reviewed for VGLI eligibility, application deadlines, and health-evidence requirements following separation from military service.
https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/vgli/