Build a retirement control sheet

• Retirement type and authority
• Target date and service filing window
• Command/personnel approvals
• Retirement orders and amendments
• TAP, medical/dental and final-move milestones
• DD Form 2656 and SBP counseling/election
• Leave, tax, allotment and direct-deposit decisions
• TRICARE retiree enrollment
• First DFAS retired-pay audit

Army example: 2026 timing change

Army Soldier for Life currently states that voluntary active-service retirement requests may be submitted 12 to 24 months before the requested retirement date, effective April 17, 2026. Do not apply that Army rule to another service or every Reserve/non-regular or disability retirement.

DFAS identifies DD Form 2656 as a core retired-pay document covering payment, tax, arrears-of-pay beneficiary and SBP data. Preserve the completed form and all spouse-concurrence documentation.

Official sources

• DFAS — How to Apply for Retired Pay
• DoD — DD Form 2656
• Army Soldier for Life — Retirement Planning
• Military OneSource — TAP

Source status: SRC-094; SRC-095; SRC-100; SRC-083 verified October 4, 2026. Service-specific procedures may be more restrictive than the DoD framework.