Published Jul 8, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT
Sarah Roder of Armed Forces Mutual shares expert advice on preparing financially, professionally and personally for military retirement.
Every summer, thousands of service members leave the military and begin the next chapter of their lives. June is one of the busiest retirement periods of the year, but the reason has less to do with preference and convenience than with military pay. “It is really more of an administrative timing,” said Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships at Armed Forces Mutual. “June 30 is the last day of the third fiscal quarter. If you retire on June 30, then you would see your pension check immediately on July 1.” For Roder, however, the retirement date is only the beginning. The real challenge starts after the farewell ceremony, when veterans must replace not only a paycheck but also a career, a community and, in many cases, a sense of purpose. “Educate yourself on what you are about to lose and how you’re going to replace it,” she said. “Make sure you have the conversation with your family.”
The Financial Reality Can Catch Retirees Off Guard
Roder recommends that service members begin preparing for retirement one to two years before leaving active duty. One of the biggest mistakes, she said, is assuming a civilian salary equivalent to military base pay will maintain the same lifestyle.
