Since 1 October 2016 falls on a weekend, the next regular, active duty military payday is Friday, 30 September 2016. That means that your 30 September 2016 military pay will be in your bank account at some time on Friday, 30 September, or earlier if you bank with one of the banks or credits unions that offer early direct deposit as a selling point. Don't know if your financial institution offers early direct deposit? The easiest way to find out is to ask! Also ask if this is guaranteed or if it is contingent on any outside factors.
Here are the four popular financial institutions that I know offer early direct deposit of military pay:
USAA
USAA guarantees that members who are on active duty will have their military pay deposited one business day prior to the actual payday. For the upcoming payday, one business day early will be Thursday, 29 September 2016.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) offers early direct deposit only to members who use an Active Duty Checking account for their military pay deposits. Members who use any other type of checking account receive their military pay on the actual military payday.
Therefore, members who use an Active Duty Checking account will see their military pay deposited on Thursday, 29 September 2016.
Members who use any other type of checking account, including Everyday Checking, eChecking, Flagship Checking, and Campus Checking, will see their military pay deposited on Friday, 30 September 2016.
Pacific Marine Credit Union
Pacific Marine Credit Union (PMCU) deposits active duty military pay two business days prior to the actual payday. For this pay period, two business days early will be Wednesday, 28 September 2016.
Service Credit Union
Service Credit Union, popular with folks near their overseas locations, deposits active duty military pay two business days prior to the actual payday. For this pay period, two business days early will be Wednesday, 28 September 2016.
We're in a period of fairly regular paydays, but don't become complacent. The pay period at the end of October will be long-ish, and it falls over a time when people often have extra expenses for Halloween candy and costumes. Think about these things now so they don't become problems when the time comes.
