What is the retired military ID card expiration date?
- Legacy USID cards that expire after July 31, 2021 or before January 1, 2020 must be replaced after their listed dates.
Additionally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ID cards that lost validity between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021 were considered usable until January 31, 2022 for military retirees and their dependents.
- If you own a legacy ID without any expiration time (or one that’s labeled INDEF or indefinite), you have until the end of 2025 to replace it with the next-generation USID card per current plans.
- This new format, similar to the old one, will set the expiration at age 65, at which point you’ll have to apply for a new identification card to enjoy Medicare benefits.
Read below to learn more about military retiree IDs.
Table of Contents
Why Have Old Retiree IDs Expired?
Since July 2020, legacy USID cards have been supplanted with next-generation USIDs to provide higher security against fraud and counterfeiting.
Unlike old retiree cards, which were made of paper, the replacement ones are constructed using plastic and will always have an updated topology and an expiration date (legacy cards may or may not have this information, as previously stated).
- In practice, legacy IDs must be replaced after their final validity date, which is often the holder’s 65th birthday. However, if they are branded “indefinite,” you may wait until 2025 to switch to a next-generation ID.
- The next-generation ID will likely also expire at age 65, but it’s more convenient to look at the listed date.
So, to answer the question, “do I need a new military ID card when I turn 65?” we say probably yes.
Who Needs to Update Their ID Card?
You should know the update requirements for your USID card before it expires.
Generally speaking, the new format does not change the eligibility requirement of this military benefit, so if you were entitled to a retiree ID before, you can still take advantage of it now.
In short, if your card has expired and you belong to one of the following groups, it’s time for an ID replacement/renewal:
- Retired or former members eligible for or in receipt of retired pay
- Retired members of the Reserves and National Guard
- 100% Disabled Veterans
Other than the above, veterans or retirees who want USID cards for their family members and dependents should remember the following:
- A dependent military ID card is necessary for children aged ten and older. Children less than ten years old may share their parent or guardian’s card.
- Young adults will lose military ID coverage at age 21, or age 23 if they’re in college.
- Spouses and dependents who are 65 years old should get a new USID card. At age 75, they may request a permanent ID that never expires, within 90 days after their current one loses validity.
- Otherwise, identification cards must be renewed every four years for dependents and spouses, and this process may be done online if your family is not fond of traveling.
What Happens if My Retired Military ID Expires?
You will lose the following benefits with an invalid retiree ID:
- Health care and child care benefits offered by the armed forces
- Access to military bases and stores or the commissary
- Morale, welfare, and recreation services (which offer programs relating to physical fitness and sports, youth activities, or skill development such as arts and crafts, etc.)
Conclusion
Now, you know the retired military ID card expiration date and some basic information concerning the USIDs of your spouse and children.
If you still have questions regarding this matter, we recommend checking out cac.mil/Contact/ and sending in your inquiries.
I am Everett Bledsoe, taking on the responsibility of content producer for The Soldiers Project. My purpose in this project is to give honest reviews on the gear utilized and tested over time. Of course, you cannot go wrong when checking out our package of information and guide, too, as they come from reliable sources and years of experience.