Canadian military members who are retiring in the foreseeable future will face delays in receiving severance, back pay and accumulated vacation payouts, the Department of National Defence has acknowledged.

There's been concern and confusion among veterans for several weeks, after a note sent to members who are on track to be released warned them to expect delays in receiving their pension — a hot button issue for former soldiers and the federal government.

Both the defence department and public services and procurement, which is responsible for military pensions, say the payment delays do not involve pensions but rather "release benefits."

Those are separate, standard payments that are within the purview of the defence department, which says it is struggling with a staffing shortage — hence the reason for the delay.