Quick Update: Shutdown Puts Military, Retiree Pay at Risk and USPHS/NOAA Survivors Are Vulnerable
Shutdown Puts Military, Retiree Pay at Risk — and USPHS/NOAA Survivors Are Still Vulnerable
Washington, DC – October 26, 2025
A recent warning from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent underscores the dire stakes of the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown. Military personnel may begin missing paychecks as early as November 15 if funding remains unresolved. (United Press International)
While active-duty forces are immediately in the spotlight, this looming threat further highlights a critical but often-overlooked gap: the retirement and survivor payments for USPHS and NOAA officers and their families. Unlike active employees designated “excepted,” many retirees and survivor beneficiaries are not shielded by temporary funding fixes, legislative stopgaps or re-programmed appropriations.
Why This Matters — Now
- The shutdown’s ripple effects on military pay demonstrate how quickly budget lapses translate into real financial risk.
- USPHS/NOAA retirees and survivor beneficiaries, who depend on standing entitlements, remain at risk because they are not always included in emergency appropriations measures nor covered by the same protections afforded to active-duty pay.
- The class action effort being advanced by the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC is timelier than ever, particularly given the expanded visibility of funding vulnerabilities across the uniformed services.
“When the nation’s protectors and public-health officers are suddenly unsure if their next check will arrive, it’s not only a financial disruption, it’s a breach of trust,” said David P. Sheldon, founding partner of the firm. “Our class-action is built to ensure that those who served do not become collateral damage in a political shutdown.”
What You Can Do
If you are a USPHS or NOAA retiree, a surviving spouse or family member, or know someone who is concerned about delayed or interrupted benefit payments, we encourage you to reach out:
📞 Call: 202-546-9575
💻 Contact us via: militarydefense.com/contact-us
Your involvement can help shape the class action and amplify efforts to secure protections that must cover retirees and survivors, not just currently serving officers.