Service members will receive their January 1, 2027 paycheck a day early, on Thursday, December 31, 2026. New Year’s Day is a federal holiday, and when a payday falls on a holiday or weekend, pay is deposited on the last working day before it.
Why the raise is not in it
The 2027 pay raise takes effect January 1, 2027, but the paycheck dated January 1 is pay for December 16 to 31. That work was done in 2026, so it is paid at 2026 rates. This catches people out every year.
The first paycheck at 2027 rates is the one on Friday, January 15, 2027. It will include:
- The 2027 basic pay raise, 3.6% under the Senate version or 5% to 7% under the House version, depending on the final defense bill
- New 2027 BAH rates, expected to be published in mid-December
- Any change in BAS for 2027
Plan for a long gap
Because the January 1 pay comes on December 31, there are about two weeks before the next paycheck on January 15. That gap falls right after the holidays, so it is worth planning for.
The rest of 2027
Paydays move earlier five more times in 2027, all because of weekends: February 15, May 1, May 15, August 1 and August 15. The first payday of 2028 also moves earlier, to Thursday, December 30, 2027. See the full 2027 pay dates.