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Your final military paycheck is not guaranteed to be fast. See exactly when your final pay, leave sell-back, retired pay, and first VA check should land — so the gap doesn't put you in a cash crunch.
You usually get ~80% of final pay within 3–5 business days of separation; the rest comes after a 30–45 day audit — and any debt on your account can stall it past 120 days. Plan as if it will be slow and keep a 60-day cash reserve that doesn't depend on this check.
The ~80% fast portion and the post-audit balance, dated from your DOS.
Gross and after-tax, at basic pay only, capped at the 60-day lifetime max.
When your first retired-pay deposit should hit, if you are retiring.
When your first VA disability deposit lands, and how back pay covers the gap.
Where the new-job pay delay layers on top of slow final pay.
Every window cites DFAS, 37 U.S.C., 10 U.S.C., or 38 CFR.
Free, no sign-up. Enter your separation date and see every money milestone dated — and email yourself a copy.
Open the timeline toolIf you're working the final-pay question, these go hand in hand.
Estimates and typical ranges for educational purposes — actual timing depends on your finance office and DFAS processing. Not financial or legal advice. Sources: DFAS Military Separations; 37 U.S.C. & DoD pay policy (leave); 10 U.S.C. § 1412 (retired pay); 38 CFR 3.31 (VA).