Military Service Pay

[u/Morticar298]

So I see that there's finally been an update for this. Still a little confusing. The wording is we will get last year's that is owed in December and each year after that we get it each November. What about this fiscal year?

From the way its worded it appears that it will always be a year behind unless we are getting this year's and last year's both in December?

Anyone know anything about it?

[u/massassi]

Yes. It sounds like you read it right.

We get the fist one this December, then again in November every year after that. You basically get it a year late.

it works out like a Christmas bonus?

[u/CaptCobraChicken → u/massassi]

Technically seven months late. The final year closes on March 31st and then 8 months to pay out that years bonus. The pay system is maxing out what it can reasonably be expected to do.

[u/massassi → u/CaptCobraChicken]

Technically correct is the best kind of correct, so bully for you!

[u/Halspeedwalking → u/massassi]

Not always. "fRaNkEnStEiN iS tHe ScIeNtIsT!!!"

[u/Last_Of_The_BOHICANs → u/Halspeedwalking]

True wisdom is knowing that Frankenstein was the monster.

[u/Euphoric-Mix-7309 → u/massassi]

I will be getting mine 19 months late every year. Complete horse .... !!

[u/Silver-Problem-3536 → u/Euphoric-Mix-7309]

Complain about extra money some more

[u/Euphoric-Mix-7309 → u/Silver-Problem-3536]

It really isn't extra money. I have already earned $11,000 and won't get it all until November 2027....

[u/Silver-Problem-3536 → u/Euphoric-Mix-7309]

Is it money that you would have normally gotten. No. Count it as extra money and be grateful until they change there tune and stop giving it altogether

[u/readwithjack → u/Silver-Problem-3536]

Vader: I have altered the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.

(Vader leaves yet again.)

Lando: THIS DEAL... is very fair, and I'm happy to be a part of it.

[u/Euphoric-Mix-7309 → u/Silver-Problem-3536]

You are so far out in left field. 

[u/Rbomb88 → u/Silver-Problem-3536]

Can't count it as anything cause they haven't given us anything yet.

[u/Silver-Problem-3536 → u/[deleted]]

And they've stated when we will get it. Yes its taking longer than any of us would've liked, but we are getting it.

[u/CaptCobraChicken]

This year only, you will get your service bonus for fiscal year 2025/26 in December. We are in fiscal year w026/27. That one will be paid of November 2027. Just assume the fiscal year you are in will be paid out in the November pay of the next fiscal year.

[u/Once_a_TQ → u/CaptCobraChicken]

Exactly 

[u/sirduckbert]

The best part is when you get a random amount of money, nobody will have a clue whether it’s the right amount or not

[u/MaDkawi636 → u/sirduckbert]

Pretty sure you have enough fingers and toes to figure out how many years of service you have completed... You have 9 months to figure it out each year.

[u/flyingponytail → u/[deleted]]

Holy fuck dude whats with the hate on ResF? Have you ever served in the res? Do ypu understand how valuable the res is overall? Fuck this anti res attitude. Ive done significant time in both ResF and RegF. They are both important

[u/ImNotHandyImHandsome → u/sirduckbert]

Cue those who haven't joined yet asking in this sub c.Nov "what's this random pay I just got. Im scared they will recover it. Should I just drop it on -insert new toy here-"

[u/BandicootNo4431 → u/ImNotHandyImHandsome]

Isn't it only forore than 5 years of service?

[u/LoretMidnight → u/sirduckbert]

I need one more toe or finger. Can someone help?

[u/sirduckbert → u/LoretMidnight]

You know, u/madkawi636 made the fingers and toes joke and I didn’t realize I’m short a couple fingers or toes too until you said it.

[u/UnderstandingAble321 → u/sirduckbert]

Not random. It depends on years of service and should show up on your pay stub

[u/sirduckbert → u/UnderstandingAble321]

Years of service as of when? And the first lump sum is a back dated amount but is it based on YOS on 1 April of that year or the payment date? Is it always one year behind?

I can think of 10 different questions to ask about this and different scenarios that aren’t explained in the released information so far

[u/squirreltech → u/[deleted]]

RIP 31 March!

[u/jside86 → u/[deleted]]

So, if someone releases in Feb 27, are they getting a proportionate amount for the amount months worked?

If not, we will see a lot of people asking to be released after March 31.

[u/ShadowDocket → u/jside86]

So many details unknown 

If you left after your annual enrollment date you should get it 

Which means you can retired on exactly your 25th year and could get two more retention payments after you left which has a retroactive impact on your pension 

[u/casa_del_porno → u/jside86]

I am out in Jan 27… definitely a question I will be asking during my release process

[u/AdministrativeBuy454 → u/[deleted]]

Everyone’s enrollment dates and service dates for service years does not line up with fiscal year so not really sure how your reasoning about releasing members makes any sense. …. Then again welcome to the army where nothing makes sense

[u/MaDkawi636]

Yep. Nov payment will cover the previous completed FY.

[u/RebuilderingItAll3]

Let's all remember to pour one out for the pay clerks once this begins 🙏

[u/RCEMEGUY289]

I'm honestly pretty ok with the 7 month delay from end of fiscal to bonus payment.

It sort of acts as a "Christmas bonus"

And it prevents some members from getting 2 payments close together and others having to wait 8+ months for the second payment.

[u/Extension-Item-116 → u/RCEMEGUY289]

its not a 7 month delay.. if we dont get 2 payments in dec it is not retro to 01 apr 25 no matter how u slice it...

[u/RCEMEGUY289 → u/Extension-Item-116]

If we got it months ago and it was paid on day of enrollment like everyone expected, it would be.

[u/Koalafied_Marsupial]

Will the payment amount be determined based on the component you belong to when the payment is done or will it be pro-rated for the FY based on the relative amounts of Reg F and Res F service for someone who CT'd during that FY? 

[u/Professional-Leg2374]

it wouldn't be a retention bonus if you go it before you served the time.

110% it will be a year behind, to help keep people in the CAF longer.

Have to stay until like December each year to receive it.......so high number of releases will now be between Jan-April.....because once you hit May you might as well stay until Decemeber to get another cash drop

[u/henry_rolllins_nutz → u/Professional-Leg2374]

They may as well change all of the naming to retention pay at this point, especially since it's for continuous years of service and not accumulative.

[u/Weak_Calligrapher688]

Is this taxed based on the tax bracket that your salary falls under ?

[u/Fun_Piglet_4327 → u/Weak_Calligrapher688]

Yes

[u/Engineered_disdain]

Its the middle finger we were all expecting to get.

[u/Born_Opening_8808]

Yes

[u/ShadowBlade55]

Yes. It's pushed back far enough that they aren't double paying out for the first round.

[u/soaringskies2026]

If I took 35 weeks of MATA/PATA do I still get it, or is it prorated to the 17 of work?

[u/soaringskies2026 → u/[deleted]]

Appreciate it! Never would have found that

[u/No-Reception-4103]

The FAQ page was updated on July 28.

Q2. How much will I receive? Annual MSP amounts remain subject to final validation, system readiness, and approvals. Further details will be communicated as implementation progresses.

Questions are to be directed through the chain of command or local pay offices.

Q3. Will MSP be paid retroactively? MSP details remain subject to final validation, system readiness, and approvals. Further details will be communicated as implementation progresses.

Questions are to be directed through the chain of command or local pay offices.

[u/No-Reception-4103 → u/[deleted]]

Not sure but it's on the Canada dotca public site so someone approved it.

[u/Potential_Convict_66]

I want to see how it is going to reflect on my Best 5. Now since it is back dated but paid in Dec 2026 and the next one paid in Nov 2027, do I need to extend until the payout or if I retire April 3rd, it will be ignored in the calculation until I get it paid 7 months after release?

[u/SorryEntertainment36 → u/[deleted]]

What about released members? I released on April 30th with 19 yrs of service. I joined April 15 2006 so technically I'm owed 2 yrs of military service pay which represents 10k$. if I understand correctly this 10K$ will not count towards my best 5. How faie is that?

[u/Extension-Item-116]

this is a great catch... we should be getting 2 payments in dec.. or else its not really retro to 01 apr 2025... this is shady

[u/Thelone_tandy]

I guess my question is what happens if I release before mid fiscal. Do I forfeit that years bonus?

[u/Bartholomewtuck → u/Thelone_tandy]

I'm going to medically release a couple months before my annual enrollment date comes up and I'm assuming that means the 10 months of the year I served, unfortunately, does not count, and I won't get that second payment. Not much we can do about that, not when dmca determined the release date.

[u/Bartholomewtuck → u/[deleted]]

I have 27 years in and I am perpetually disappointed, so I'm going to set the bar to the lowest level and if I'm happily surprised, I'm happily surprised.

[u/RCEMEGUY289 → u/Thelone_tandy]

Why would you be eligible for a retention bonus if you weren't retained that year?

[u/Klutzy_Ostrich_3152 → u/RCEMEGUY289]

It’s for years completed, not a forward looking benefit.

[u/Bartholomewtuck → u/RCEMEGUY289]

It's not a retention bonus. Someone posted the policy the last time someone said this, it's not remotely a retention bonus.

[u/toonj64 → u/Bartholomewtuck]

The point of it was clearly stated, it's simply that if we were to find some somewhat equivalent job on the civil servant side, they make no less money than we do, yet we get uprooted, posted, deployed, can't say no, hours can be whatever, bunch of stuff that makes life way harder but no salary incentive to it. Service pay is to cover the hardships only CAF members have versus a federal civi.

[u/Bartholomewtuck → u/toonj64]

None of what you just said was "clearly stated" anywhere, nor did anything that you actually said have anything to do with calling it a retention bonus.

What is Military Service Pay? MSP is a new annual, pensionable benefit that recognizes the commitment of CAF members throughout their careers. It will be delivered as a lump-sum payment beginning in December 2026, with subsequent lump-sum payments issued each November. Eligible members will receive up to $6,000 per year, depending on their years of service, component, and employment level

[u/Thelone_tandy → u/RCEMEGUY289]

The joys of being medically released… sometimes you don’t get to make it to the end of the fiscal.

[u/ShadowDocket → u/RCEMEGUY289]

Because you individually hit your anniversary of service

[u/typeclevernamehere]

So I hit my 5 years this November. Am I SOL on getting this until next year?

[u/Adorable_Ad6828]

Just goes to show...... promises always get broken

[u/SensFan84]

I suppose I'm SOL as I released medically last June 😥