How much is the discharge deposit in 2026?

Between roughly 9,000 ₪ for standard non-combat tracks and 30,000 ₪+ for full combat service. The exact figure is shown in your Hatzlacha Fund portal account.

How long is the deposit locked?

Six years from the date of discharge for general use. Approved uses — tuition, vocational training, housing and starting a business — can be drawn against immediately.

Can I withdraw the deposit to my own bank account during the lockup?

No. Early access is paid directly to the third party — the university, the landlord, the training provider or the business account. Personal withdrawals are only available after the six-year unlock.

Does the deposit earn interest?

Yes, at a rate linked to government bond yields. The balance shown in the Hatzlacha portal updates periodically with the accrued interest.

Where do I manage the deposit?

Through the Defence Ministry portal at machar.gov.il — the Hatzlacha Fund area shows your balance, approved-use applications and the unconditional unlock date.

What happens if I forget to withdraw after six years?

The deposit does not lapse — it stays in the account indefinitely. However, it stops earning meaningful interest, so it is worth claiming it once the lockup expires.

Do combat veterans get a larger deposit?

Yes. Combat (lochem) and combat-support (tomeh lehima) veterans receive a higher base deposit plus access to supplementary grants for tuition and housing.

The Discharge Deposit (Pikadon Shichrur)

The pikadon shichrur — discharge deposit — is the lump-sum benefit credited to every IDF discharged soldier, held in a dedicated account by the Defence Ministry's Hatzlacha Fund. It is meant to bridge the transition into civilian life, and the rules around when and how it can be used are surprisingly specific.

How much the deposit is worth in 2026

The deposit is tiered by service track and length:

- Standard non-combat tracks (typical 24–32 months): roughly 9,000–13,000 ₪. - Combat-support tracks: roughly 15,000–22,000 ₪. - Full combat service: 25,000–30,000+ ₪.

The amounts are revised annually in line with the defence budget. The exact figure for your account is shown in the Hatzlacha portal under yitrat ha-pikadon.

The six-year lockup

The deposit is locked for general use for six years from the date of discharge. During those six years it can only be withdrawn for one of four approved uses:

1. Tuition for an academic degree or pre-academic preparatory programme (mechina). 2. Vocational training certified by the Hatzlacha Fund. 3. Purchase, rental or improvement of a primary residence (housing). 4. Starting or expanding a business.

At the six-year mark, whatever balance remains becomes unconditionally accessible and can be withdrawn for any purpose. The deposit earns interest during the lockup — typically linked to government bond yields — so the balance at unlock is usually somewhat higher than the original credit.

Why the lockup exists

The lockup is designed to nudge discharged soldiers toward investments with long-term return rather than immediate spending. The four approved uses cover the major financial transitions of early adulthood — university, vocational skill, housing and entrepreneurship — and using the deposit for any of them is almost always more valuable than waiting six years for unconditional access.

How to use the deposit early

Each approved use has its own application form on the Hatzlacha Fund portal (machar.gov.il):

- Tuition: upload an enrolment confirmation from the institution; the fund pays the institution directly. - Vocational training: enrol in a certified course and submit the course confirmation. - Housing: provide the purchase contract or rental agreement; the fund transfers the relevant amount. - Business: submit a business plan and registration documents; the fund disburses against milestones.

The fund pays directly to the third party (university, landlord, supplier), not to the soldier's personal account. This is sometimes inconvenient but it is the trade-off for the early access.

After six years

Once the lockup expires, the Hatzlacha portal switches to an unconditional withdrawal mode. Log in, confirm bank details, request the withdrawal, and the balance moves to your account within two weeks. If you forget — and many do — the funds sit indefinitely; the deposit does not lapse, but it stops earning meaningful interest.

Combat veterans and extended benefits

Combat veterans (lochem) and combat-support veterans (tomeh lehima) receive a higher base deposit plus access to an extended set of supplementary grants administered alongside the deposit — additional tuition grants, longer unconditional access windows, and priority treatment on housing-related applications.

Common mistakes

Two recurring errors: discharged soldiers who attempt to withdraw the deposit into their own account during the lockup (the system will reject this — early access is third-party-only); and discharged soldiers who never check the balance at year six and leave it idle for a decade. Set a calendar reminder for the six-year anniversary of your discharge date.

Practical tip

The single highest-return use of the deposit for most discharged soldiers is tuition for a first degree. The deposit covers a large portion of public-university tuition, the application is straightforward, and the credit-point benefit (a separate stream) compounds against the educational uplift. If you are planning to study, this is the route to take.

— Yesh Cash Editor