Recent Posts
20 Good Years – Reserve Retirement
“20 Good Years” The Basics of a Reserve Component Retirement If you’re a traditional or individual reservist or a member of your state’s national
The C-Word(s)
If you really want to upset someone, use the C-Word. Or the other C-Word. If you want to really get them spinning, use the other,
Estate Planning Basics For Military Members
Estate Planning Basics for Military Members One of the most common questions I get from military members related to estate planning is along the lines
Military Topics
State-Level Veterans Benefits
State-Level Veterans Benefits The US Department of Veterans Affairs has many benefits for military veterans. But did you know each state also has their own
Why Should you Care About the Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season in 2023?
Why Should you Care About the Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season in 2023? When a retiree dies, his/her retired pay (and VA disability compensation) also
Is My Military Retired Pay Tax Free if I have a VA Disability Rating? – NO!
Is My Military Retired Pay Tax Free if I have a VA Disability Rating? – NO! Every year I have a handful of clients
10 Financial Opportunities and Challenges Dual Military Couples Experience
When both members of a couple serve in the military, they share a greater understanding of the mission and life demands that come with putting
Should you Buy Back your Military Time?
Should you Buy Back your Military Time? What is military buyback? If you served on active duty in the military and then become a federal
Military Retirement: Should You Take SBP?
Military Retirement and the Big SBP Decision This article was jointly written by Adrienne Ross, CFP ®, AFC ®, and Pam Bergeson, CRPC As you’re
Financial Planning
Top 6 Cybersecurity Steps for Military Families
It seems like everywhere we turn, our news feed is filled with stories of credit card fraud, identity theft, and data breaches. This article outlines
Special Needs Planning Considerations
Special Needs Planning Considerations: ABLE Accounts, Special Needs Trusts and the Survivor Benefit Plan Military retiree benefits provide additional planning opportunities and considerations for families
Quantifying the Benefits of Military Credit Card Rewards Hacking
Quantifying the Benefits of Military Credit Card Rewards Hacking Military members and their spouses have amazing advantages in many aspects of personal finance. One of
What Military Members Need to Know About the Future of Social Security
What Military Members Need to Know About the Future of Social Security If you’ve read the headlines, you’ve probably heard that Social Security is in
Purchasing Life Insurance While Stationed or Living Overseas
Purchasing Life Insurance While Stationed or Living Overseas: A Guide for U.S. Military Veterans As a U.S. military veteran living overseas, you’ve already navigated uncharted
Decoding Your Civilian Employee Benefits: Understanding and Utilizing Your Perks
Decoding Your Civilian Employee Benefits: Understanding and Utilizing Your Perks Active duty and retired military families are fortunate to have access to good medical and
Taxes
New Year IRA Tips
New Year IRA Tips Still want to save for retirement in 2022? You can! Wait, what? Did you say I can still save for retirement last
End-Of-Year Planning Checklist
If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking how can it be December? Where did 2022 go? Before we turn the page to 2023, there could
Is My Military Retired Pay Tax Free if I have a VA Disability Rating? – NO!
Is My Military Retired Pay Tax Free if I have a VA Disability Rating? – NO! Every year I have a handful of clients
Which is Better—A Roth or a TSP?
Which is Better—A Roth or a TSP? If my math is correct, half of the readers of this article’s title are about ready to blow
2021 Tax Updates
Understanding 2021 Tax Updates (before you file your taxes) This meme pops up in my social media feed from time to time: It’s clever and
Military Retirement: Should You Take SBP?
Military Retirement and the Big SBP Decision This article was jointly written by Adrienne Ross, CFP ®, AFC ®, and Pam Bergeson, CRPC As you’re
College & Education Planning
Getting Your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Squared Away
Get Your Student Financial Aid Squared Away What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA,
Investing
Which is Better—A Roth or a TSP?
Which is Better—A Roth or a TSP? If my math is correct, half of the readers of this article’s title are about ready to blow
I Learned Everything I Needed to Know about Investing in Kindergarten
Investing Lessons from Childhood I had one of those “Aha!” moments recently. You know – the ones where you figure something out after a really
Top 7 FAQs for Military Real Estate Investing
Understanding Real Estate Investing for Military There are numerous ways to engage in real estate investing. There’s flipping, commercial offices, wholesaling, investing in notes, and
Do Military Families Really Need a Financial Planner?
Do Military Families Really Need a Financial Planner? I am frequently asked some form of this question, and my short answer is, “Yes, military families
TSP Lifecycle Fund Changes
What’s the Deal with TSP L Funds and their new updates? Unicycles, bicycles, lifecycles – The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Lifecycle (L) Funds are evolving
Military Thrift Savings Plan Essentials
Understanding the military thrift savings plan essentials The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the government long-term retirement savings and investment plan, similar to a civilian