Articles by Ryan Guina

Ryan is the founder and editor of this site. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over 6 years in the USAF and also writes about money management, small business, and career topics at Cash Money Life.

You can find him around the web at, Ryan Guina on Twitter, The Military Wallet on Twitter, and on Google.

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Military and Veteran Discounts for Cell Phone Service

Cell phone companies are doing everything in their power to keep customers, and sometimes, it works out in the consumer’s favor, especially when it comes to discounts. Almost all of the major cell phone carriers offer military discounts on cell phone service to current, and former servicemembers. It’s not often that veterans are eligible for military discounts, but this is one time when you may just qualify, thanks to the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, which requires cell phone providers to offer a 15% discount to past and present federal employees, including military members. Let’s take a look at some of the cell phone discounts available to military members and veterans, and some of the common rules to keep in mind.

Military and Veteran Discounts for Cell Phone Service

military discounts on cell phone serviceRules and participation will vary by cell phone provider, so be sure to read the fine print, and ask to speak with a manager when asking for a discount. Here are some common things to keep in mind:

  • Most cell phone companies offer 15% discount to active duty, Guard, Reserves, retirees, and often for veterans as well. These discounts are usually only for the servicemember, though many cell phone carriers will offer the discounts for multiple lines – as long as the service member’s name is the primary name on the account.
  • ID or proof of service is required. Many companies will approve discounts via email with a .mil or .gov email address. Otherwise, you may need a military ID card, VA issued ID Card, drivers license with a veterans designation, or a DD Form 214.
  • Two year service agreement may be required. Some cell phone carriers may extend your service agreement for 2 more years if you are already under contract, but not yet receiving the discount. This usually doesn’t reset your new phone discount, however, so you may still be able to upgrade on schedule. Keep the extension in mind before agreeing to the terms.
  • Ask for a manager if the customer service rep doesn’t give you a discount. Some customer service reps may not be aware of the discounts, or may not have authorization to grant them. Politely ask to speak with a manager and mention the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. Whatever you do, don’t make a scene. Being polite will get you much further, faster.
  • It may take one or two payment cycles to see your discount. This is common across all carriers.
  • Be sure to compare offers across all carriers. Don’t assume the company you have been with for years or the popular cell phone provider in your region has the best deals. Call around and see which deals are best for your needs. Some people may be better off with a family plan, while others may do better on a prepaid pr pay as you go cell phone plan.

Now let’s take a look at some of the deals offered through major cell phone carriers. if you don’t see your favored provider on this list, just contact them or search their site.

AT&T Military and Veteran Discounts

AT&T offers a 155 discount for military members and veterans on qualified plans (member must be the primary name on the account). Proof of service required, and it make take 2 to 3 months to see the discount show up on your account.

Cricket Wireless Heroes Discount

Cricket Wireless offers a 15% discount for eligible military members and community servicemembers such as policemen and firefighters. Eligible military members include active duty and retirees. Discount only available in stores; no contract required. Find a location near you.

Sprint Military and Veteran Discount

Sprint offers a 15% discount military and veterans discount to current and former members of the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard through their National Value Program (NVP), or through the Sprint Company discount program. I didn’t see any verification of discounts for National Guard or Reserves members, but I am assuming they consider these to be part of the parent organization. In any case, you would have access to a .mil email address or ID card, so you would be able to qualify with one of those items.

These discounts may apply to family plans, so be sure to ask before assuming they will apply to everything. It may also take a cycle or two before you see the discount applied to your bill.

To qualify online, you must send them an email from your .mil address, or provide another proof of service. You may also be able to show your ID in person if you visit a Sprint Retail store. You can also send in required proof of service via fax or email. Visit this link for more information.

  • Discount eligibility: Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Retirees, Veterans
  • Accepted forms of ID include a military ID card, VA issued Veteran’s ID Card, discharge paperwork, or DD 214.
  • If you don’t currently have a Sprint account, you can view Internet specials here.

T-Mobile Military and Veterans Discounts

Affordable Android™ phonesT-Mobile offers a 15% discount to military members and veterans. Eligible persons include those serving on active duty, Guard/Reserve, retirees, and veterans, with proof of service. Veterans will need to show proof of service, including some form of picture ID or official paperwork. Examples include retiree card, VA issued ID card, DD Form 214, or a state drivers license with veterans designation.

New customers may be eligible to have their activation fee waived, and may be eligible for additional discounts on phones. You can shop for new plans and online only discounts at the T-Mobile website.

How to apply for the 15% discount:

U.S. Cellular Military Discounts

U.S. Cellular offers a 15% discount to active duty service members. U.S. Cellular is one of the few companies listed that only offer the discounts to active duty servicemembers. Retirees, part time Guard and Reserves, and veterans aren’t eligible (though it wouldn’t hurt to ask; you never know!).

  • Discount eligibility: Active Duty, including active duty Guard and Reserves. Part time Guard and Reserves are ineligible.
  • To receive the discount: Call 1-888-944-9400 or 611 from your U.S. Cellular phone.
  • More information.

Verizon Wireless Military Discounts

Verizon offers discounts to military servicemembers and veterans on all plans $34.99 and up. You may also be eligible for discounts on data plans and accessories (up to 25% off Verizon branded accessories). You may be able to add up to five lines on the bill, so long as they are under the service member’s name and they all go to the same address (verify this policy in the event it has changed).

How to get the military discount:

  • Discount eligibility: Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Retirees, Veterans, and Federal Employees
  • Visit the store in person: Bring your military ID, retiree card, DD Form 214, or other official ID showing proof of service. Ask to speak with a manager if you are not able to get help from the customer service rep.
  • Existing customers applying for the discount online: Submit a copy of your pay stub, employee ID card, Veterans ID Card, or DD Form 214. Do not send a copy of your military ID.

Final Notes about Cell Phone Discounts

Keep in mind corporate policies may change frequently. We do our best to ensure these are accurate at the time of publication, but some policies change without notification. Be sure to verify the deals before signing any agreements, and like joining the military, always get it in writing! If an employee doesn’t give you the discount, be sure to ask nicely to speak with a manger. Finally, many cell phone providers have begun requesting verification to remain in discounted programs. Most companies will ask you to resubmit verification of employment every 24 months or so. Don’t take it personally, it’s just their policy. And in this case, most of the cell phone providers still offer the discounts for veterans, so you most likely wouldn’t lose your discount if you leave active duty. You would just need to provide a copy of your DD Form 214 – which you should always maintain.

Photo Credit: Steve Jurvetson

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Why Military Members Don’t Get Matching Contributions in the Thrift Savings Plan

The Thrift Savings Plan is a great investment opportunity for military service members and eligible civil service members working for the US government. The TSP offers the opportunity to save in a traditional or Roth retirement account, and while the TSP doesn’t offer too many investment options, it offers among the lowest cost investment funds you will find almost anywhere.

Thrift Savings Plan Matching ContributionsThe Thrift Savings Plan is virtually identical for military members and civil service members, but there are some differences you should be aware of. The first is that they are actually housed under different plans. You can have a military TSP account and a civil service TSP account, but they will be separate accounts. You can be eligible for both accounts if you worked for one agency and then another, or even if you work for both at the same time. A good example of this would be a civil service worker who also serves in the Guard or Reserves. You cannot combine these accounts if you are still eligible to contribute to both of them. You can only combine them after you are no longer eligible to contribute to one of them. (Even then, you may not wish to combine your military TSP account if you have contributions that were made in a tax free zone).

Another big difference is that civil service members have an automatic agency matching contribution added to their account. In fact, matching contributions are automatic for new employees. As a general rule of thumb, military members do not have matching contributions. Let’s take a look at agency matching contributions, then dive into why military members don’t get them.

Thrift Savings Plan Matching Contributions

This chart shows how Thrift Savings Plan matching contributions are made for FERS employees (Civil Service, or federal employees).

TShrift Savings Plan Matching Contribution Chart

Civil Service members receive a matching TSP contribution.

As you can see from the chart above, civil service members get a 1% agency contribution regardless of whether or not they elect to defer any of their own pay. Civil Service members will then receive a 1% match for the next 2% of their pay that they defer, for a total of 5% contribution (2% member deferral, 1% automatic agency contribution, and 2% match = 5%).

Civil Service members receive 0.5% match for each of the next two percentage points of pay they defer, up to a total agency contribution of 5% (1% automatic contribution, plus up to 4% matching contribution).

Most Military Members Don’t Get Matching TSP Contributions

If you are in the military, you are probably wondering why you don’t get matching contributions. It’s not that military members can’t get them, it’s that you probably don’t. The secretary of each branch of the armed forces is authorized to allow matching contributions for servicemembers in critical specialties. These matching contributions are generally given as incentives to servicemembers who agree to serve 6 years on active duty in those specialties. According to Wikipedia, the last time this was available was the end of 2008 (for new recruits; so some military members may still be eligible for matching contributions).

How the matching contributions work. Matching contributions are only made to contributions from base pay, so any incentive pay, special duty pay, bonuses or other pay used to fund your Thrift Savings Plan won’t count toward your matching contributions. After that, the formula is similar to to the civil service formula, but with two notable differences: 1) there is no automatic contribution. You must make a contribution to be eligible to receive matching funds. 2) you are only eligible to receive 4% in matching contributions.

It works like this: Eligible servicemembers will receive a 100% match on their first 3% of contributions, and 50% match on the next 2% of their contributions, for a total of up to 4% matching contributions. This formula is similar to many civilian 401k plans.

Why Don’t All Military Members Get Matching Contributions?

I believe it is possible for the secretary responsible for each service to authorize matching TSP contributions for service members, however, these funds have to come out of personnel funds, which are limited each year by budgets mandated by Congress. In other words, they could do it, but they would have to cut funds elsewhere. The secretary of each service normally chooses not to so they can allocate those funds to other needs, such as paying military salaries, selective enlistment and reenlistment bonuses, retention pay, and more. Giving everyone a matching contribution would mean cutting force strength numbers, which would leave the services shorthanded.

How to Use This When Making Investment Decisions

You should look at all your options when trying to decide between investing in the TSP or another investment opportunity. In general, most military members should be eligible to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan and an IRA. Which is better? It depends on your situation. We covered this in more depth in the following article: comparing TSP and an IRA.

Bottom line: Don’t get caught up on whether or not you receive a matching contribution. It’s neither fair, no unfair. It just is. The important thing is to look at the opportunities available to you and take advantage of them. In my opinion, the Thrift Savings Plan rocks. It’s a great opportunity, with or without a matching contribution. Take advantage of it. You will happy with yourself 20 or 30 years from now when you see a 5 or 6 figure balance in your TSP account.

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How to Verify a Military or Veteran Charity is Real

There are dozens, if not hundreds of wonderful military charities dedicated to making the lives of servicemembers, veterans, and their family members or survivors, a little brighter. Many veterans have given more than we as a nation could ever rightfully ask. And it’s great to be able to give back to our veteran community and show the we appreciate the sacrifices they have made. Unfortunately,  whenever money is involved the door is open for scammers to try and part you from your hard earned money.

Military veteran charity - we support our troops

Investigate military charities before giving.

We don’t need to cover all the scams and fraudulent military charities out there. This has been done by many sites, including this example of a man who took almost $2 million in cash as a “retirement” for his work (among other high valued perks) and this person who bilked unsuspecting donors out of over $100 million over seven years.

Our goal is to show you how you can protect yourself when giving to military or veteran charities, and ensure that your intended recipients receive the bulk of your gift.

How to Verify a Military or Veteran Charity is Real

Anyone can make something look good on paper or on the Internet. All you need is an official looking logo and a name that elicits trust. But if you are giving someone money, it’s your duty to know where your money is going. Even if a charity claims to give money to military families or veterans, they may put much more than they give into their own pockets. Here are some ways you can verify a military charity is legitimate before you give them any of your hard earned money.

Are they registered with the state and federal government? All legitimate charities should be registered with the state and federal government. Use a search engine to look for “your state + charity list“. That link will take you to Illinois, where I live. Just change the state to your state and verify the charity is listed with your state attorney general’s office, or other regulatory office (each state has different requirements).

Charities should also be listed as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the government. By law, they must meet certain requirements to be listed as a charity with the IRS.

How much of their money goes to overhead? How much money goes to the mission goal? Legitimate charities aren’t afraid to open their books to the public. They understand that if they are running a true charity, the vast majority of their income will go right out the door to support their cause. There are several third party websites which monitor charities and give them a score based on how much money they spend on their mission compared to how much goes to things like overhead, fundraising, and employees. Here are a few sites to check before ever sending any money to a charity:

When researching charities on the above sites, be sure to look for a charity rating and see if there is information on how the funds are used.

Beware of unsolicited requests for money. I never give money over the phone. Ever. I always ask the caller for a website where I can research the company or organization before I make any contributions. Any respectable organization will be happy to give you their website, and some will even direct you to locations on the site where you can find information about how they solicit and spend contributions. If an organization doesn’t have a website or tries to avoid giving me the information, I politely decline their solicitation and request to be permanently removed from their calling list.

Avoid the hard sell. Most organizations that do sales over the phone have scripts for everything. They read the pitch and go down their list. If you ask a question, they have a response on their list ready to go. These scripts are tested and they have them down to a science. The only way to win is to be persistent and avoid a hard sell. Don’t ever commit to giving money until you have a chance to review the organization before you give any money.

If you are being solicited in person, ask the solicitor for a brochure or a card so you can further investigate the organization. Again, any good charity will be happy to share information about their organization. They will be just as happy to receive the money tomorrow as they would be to receive it today. Anyone who pushes the hard sale may be trying to hide something.

Never send cash and always request a receipt if you want a tax deduction. Cash is untraceable. It is easily lost or misappropriated (in the wrong hands). Some organizations won’t even accept cash. If you want a tax deduction, you will need to prove that you made the contribution. The easiest way to do this is with a receipt or a credit card transaction.

Never give too much identifying information. Some scams are designed to steal your identity. For example, a person may call you fronting as part of a charitable organization. They may ask you for personal information to verify a donation you gave. never give personal information over the ohone, especially info such as your SSN, DOB, or other personal info. It can be used for identity theft.

Report fraudulent charities. If you believe you have given money to a fraudulent charity, or an organization is trying to scam you, you should report it to your state attorney general office or the Federal Trade Commission. You can also report it to any of the websites mentioned above that track charitable organizations.

Make Sure Your Money Goes to a Good Place

Some of these fraudulent organizations have solicitation down to an art. They know the exact words to say to get the best response. But technology is now good enough that you can put the power in your hands. You control your check book. So take a moment and review the organization before you write a check. Make sure you understand the organizations mission, how much of their money goes to the mission, and that you agree with both of these.

As we mentioned earlier, there are dozens of great charitable organizations that support the military and veteran communities. Here is an Alphabetical List of Community Support Group from OurMilitary.mil, and two organizations we have covered in more depth on our site:

  • Cell Phones for Soldiers – provides Cell Phones for soldiers when traveling on deployments.
  • Vet Tix – provides event tickets to veterans and active servicemembers.

Do you have a favorite military or veteran charity?

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Veterans Preference Points – How Your Military Service Can Help You Land a Government Job

Many military veterans qualify for Veterans Preference Points which are helpful when applying for a job with the federal government. Civil service jobs are often very competitive, and Veterans Preference Points can give you an advantage in the hiring process. While Veterans Preference Points alone won’t be enough to secure the job—you still must qualify, apply, and interview for the position—they may be enough to get you an advantage when the position is filled. Let’s take a look at Veterans Preference Points, what they are, how the process works, and how they can help you get a civil service job.

Veterans Preference Points Overview

Understanding Veterans Preference PointsHere it is in the government’s words: “By law (Title 5 USC, Section 2108), veterans who are disabled or who serve on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non-veterans both in Federal hiring practices and in retention during reductions in force (RIF).

… Preference does not have as its goal the placement of a veteran in every vacant Federal job; this would be incompatible with the merit principle of public employment. Nor does it apply to promotions or other in-service actions. However, preference does provide a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified veterans seeking Federal employment.” (source).

Now let’s break it down: Veterans Preference Points exist to help veterans find work with the federal government. But it’s not possible to place a veteran in every job for a variety of reasons. But it is possible to apply a uniform standard to help give veterans an advantage in the hiring process. This is where the Veterans Preference Points come in.

Veterans who qualify for Veterans Preference Points based on their service will receive either 5 or 10 points on their civil service examination or experience and education evaluation. These points can place you higher on the list than other applicants. Many veterans who qualify for Veterans Preference Points also have Protected Veterans Status, which can be helpful in certain hiring situations.

Veterans Preference Points Eligibility Requirements

Here are the general requirements for Veterans Preference Points:

  1. You must have an Honorable or General Discharge
  2. Military Retirees in the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Commander, or higher, are ineligible unless they have a service-connected disability.
  3. Guard or Reserve active duty service for training purposes does not qualify.
  4. Veterans should claim preference on their federal job application or resume. Veterans claiming a 10 point preference should complete form SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.

Veterans who meet the above general requirements will be able to earn either 5 or 10 Preference points, based on their service and other standards, listed below.

Types of Veterans Preference

Veterans Preference Points can be broken down into two classes: 5-Point Preference, and 10-Point Preference. These points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the qualified veteran. What follows is an excerpt of the ratings qualifications based on those listed on the Office of Personnel Management website.

5-Point Preference Qualifications - Eligible veterans include veterans who served:

  • During a war; or
  • During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; or
  • During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law as the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or
  • In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference.

A campaign medal holder or Gulf War veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligibles separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173. The OPM page lists an FAQ section for Gulf War vets.

10-Point Preference Qualifications - Eligible veterans include veterans who served:

  • A veteran who served at any time and (1) has a present service-connected disability or (2) is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs; or (3) a veteran who received a Purple Heart.
  • An unmarried spouse of certain deceased veterans, a spouse of a veteran unable to work because of a service-connected disability, and
  • A mother of a veteran who died in service or who is permanently and totally disabled.

A note about qualifications for mothers or unmarried spouses: These are an abbreviated version of the requirements. See the OPM guide for more information.

How to Calculate your Veterans Preference Points: Use the Veterans’ Preference Advisor tool to determine your eligibility and number of points.

Veterans Preference Points Calculator

The Veterans’ Preference Advisor can help you determine eligibility.

How Veterans Preference Points Work

If you meet the criteria as described above, you will be eligible to have either 5 or 10 points added to your passing examination score (score of 70 or higher), or have 5 or 10 points added to the numerical evaluation of your experience and education. These examination scores and numerical evaluations are used to compare your application to other applications during the hiring process.

The highest possible score is 110 points: 100 on the exam or numerical evaluation of experience and education, plus the 10 point Veterans Preference rating.

During the application process, eligible applicants are listed on a roster in the order of their ratings. For scientific and professional positions in grade General Schedule GS-9 or higher, names of all qualified applicants are listed on competitor inventories in order of their ratings, augmented by veteran preference, if any.

For all other positions, the names of 10-point preference eligibles who have a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are listed at the top of the register in the order of their ratings ahead of the names of all other eligibles. The names of other 10-point preference eligibles, 5-point preference eligibles, and other applicants are listed in order of their numerical ratings.

I’m a Qualified Veteran, Why Didn’t I get the Job?

Having Veterans Preference Points doesn’t guarantee you a job. But it does increase your scoring, and in some cases, places your application higher on the list. But it’s important to understand that the government has multiple ways to fill positions and there can be many reasons why one applicant is be hired over another applicant.

Veterans Preference Points also don’t give veterans a preference for internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers,reassignments, or reinstatement. Your Veterans Preference Points may, however, help your job status during a Reduction in Force (RIF).

For more detailed information about your eligibility and other benefits, visit the Veterans’ Preference Advisor tool, or contact the HR department at your local civil service office.

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Protected Veteran Status Rights – Can Employers Discriminte Against Disabled Veterans?

Many military veterans struggle to find work after they separate from the military. There are many reasons for this. The economy is still in recovery mode, there may be a mismatch of skills between the veteran and the available jobs he or she is applying to, and sometimes employers don’t understand the skills veterans bring to the table.

Unfortunately, there can also be a stigma against veterans, especially those who have served in combat. A recent article on CNN Money stated that even though overall unemployment rates for veterans has dropped in recent months, some veterans are struggling to find work because some employers avoid hiring vets with PTSD because the employers fear there will be an “episode” in the workplace. A similar story was reported on MilitaryTimes.com. These fears and misconceptions are often unspoken, but they can be very real. Not only is this line of thinking wrong, but it is potentially illegal. Many military veterans qualify for Protected Veteran Status, which offers anti-discrimination protections.

anti-discrimination employment laws

There is no room for discrimination in our society.

I recently received a question from a reader who is struggling to find work. He asked:

Are certain industries opposed to hiring retired middle aged vets with service-connected disabilities?

This is a great question, and one that deserves a very careful answer. Employers have a lot of leeway regarding who they hire, and right now, there are often dozens, if not hundreds, or applicants for every job opening. With so many applicants, employers have an easy time of choosing who they feel is the best person for the job. But discrimination against veterans is a very important topic, and one that veterans need to be aware of.

I will do my best to cover a few relevant topics related to this question, primarily Equal Employment Opportunity laws and discrimination. Please keep in mind, I am not a lawyer, and this article is based on my understanding of the laws and how they work. While the law is very clear in defining certain ”protected classes” of workers, companies are not obligated to offer a job to all qualified applicants, or to someone who meets one of the qualifications of a protected class.

Let’s take a look at what these protected classes are, and see how this relates to veterans, both with and without service-connected disabilities.

Anti-Discrimination Laws in Hiring

In the US, employers are prohibited from discriminating against certain classes of people with regard to employment. This includes hiring, firing, pay and benefits, retirement plans, compensation, promotions, assignments, transfers, layoffs, and other conditions of employment.

It is illegal to discriminate against people based on their race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disabilities, genetic makeup and family status. Here is a sampling some relevant national laws (please keep in mind some states have additional laws):

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (amended in 2008)

(Please see the EEO FAQ page for more info).

Protected Veteran Status Rights

protected veterans statusCertain military veterans qualify for Protected Veteran Status under The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA). This law gives certain veterans some similar protections as the classes listed above, and also requires employers working with the federal government to proactively recruit, hire, and promote certain classes of veterans including: disabled veterans (determined as those who receive disability compensation from the VA, or would be eligible, but for retired military pay), veterans who served on active duty during a war or campaign when a badge was authorized, recently separated veterans, and veterans who participated in a U.S. military operation that received an Armed Forces service medal.

Rights under the Protected Veterans Status: “As a protected veteran under Section 4212, you have the right to work in an environment free of discrimination. You cannot be denied employment, harassed, demoted, terminated, paid less or treated less favorably because of your veteran status. If you are an employee and a disabled veteran you can request, and your employer must provide you, “reasonable accommodation,” to allow you to perform your job, unless doing so would cause the employer significant difficulty or expense.”

This law does two things: VEVRAA requires certain employers to proactively recruit, hire, and promote protected veterans, and it includes anti-discrimination laws.

Sources: Protected Veterans Rights fact sheet, Dept of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) program.

Employment Rights for Reservists and Guard Members

Military members who serve in the Reserves or National or Air National Guard also have special rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). This law prohibits discrimination based on service in the Reserve Corps and requires civilian employers to keep jobs open for Reserve Corps members who are called to duty. Employers are required to leave the job open for them when they return or provide them with a similar job when they come back. There are more details to this law, so if you are in the Guard or Reserves, you should familiarize yourself with it in more detail.

Source: USERRA fact sheet.

What Does this Mean for Veterans?

OK, now that we have the technical stuff out of the way, let’s take some time to distill this into terms we can understand and see if we can answer our reader’s question: “Are certain industries opposed to hiring retired middle aged vets with service-connected disabilities?”

Our reader is asking about three protected classes of workers, all wrapped into one: age, veteran, and disability.

Does discrimination happen? I’m sure it does on many levels. Outright discrimination against someone based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disabilities, genetic makeup, family status, prior military service, or any other condition is wrong. No excuses.

But before we assign blame, we should first realize that employers have a lot of flexibility when making hiring decisions. Employers have the right to hire the best person for the job. The only thing they cannot do is discriminate against any of the protected classes during the hiring process or when making employment decisions. When there are dozens or hundreds of people applying for the job, they can make hiring decisions that may seem unfair in the surface. But the hiring decision may be 100% reasonable when all applicants and additional information is taken into consideration. In other words, being a member of a protected class doesn’t guarantee you a job—you still have to be the best person for the job.

How to Increase Your Odds of Being Hired

My recommendation is to take a step back and look at each job application from the hiring manager’s and company’s perspective. What job are they trying to fill? What concerns may they have about potential employees?

Your role as a job seeker is to do everything in your power to show an employer you are the best person for the job. This means:

* I don’t advocate lying on resumes or during job interviews. But that doesn’t mean you should volunteer information that may be unfavorable, or may sway an employer’s opinion. For example, there is no reason you should mention you have a service-connected disability in your resume or in an interview unless the disability would prevent you from completing assigned job requirements.

Recognize and understand how to answer illegal interview questions. Some questions are illegal for interviewers to ask during interviews. These include questions about the protected items listed above: race, religion, age, ethnicity, disability, etc. However, there are related questions employers can legally ask. For example, an employer cannot ask you if you are disabled, but they can ask you if you are physically able to perform all related job requirements.

As a job seeker, it’s important to recognize these questions, and how to answer them. Here are some tips for recognizing and answering illegal interview questions:

Take some time to review these questions and answers, and make sure your resume doesn’t include anything that could give an employer second thoughts about hiring you.

What to Do if You Have Been Discriminated Against

This is a tough situation to deal with. It is unfair, unjust, and illegal. If you believe a company has broken the law, then you have options. The Department of Labor lists a few steps you can take in their FAQ page. You may also consider seeking legal counsel (try finding a lawyer who specializes in employment or labor law).

Keep in mind it is often up to the employee to prove discrimination occurred. This may be difficult to do unless it is in writing or you can prove your employer took action against you based on your status. (Then you would have to ask yourself if you want to work for a company that would discriminate against you).

The best course of action is to keep detailed notes of your interactions with the employer and try to work things out on your own first. If that doesn’t work, then contact the Department of Labor or a lawyer who specializes in labor law for further guidance.

Image credit: Brett Jordan

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How to File a Tax Extension

Do you need to file a federal tax extension?

If you are like me, then you probably haven’t filed your federal taxes yet. I don’t really have  an excuse, other than a full plate. I put it off until the weekend, but then something else comes up that is much more fun. But the April 15th tax deadline is fast approaching and it’s time to get down to business. If you haven’t yet filed your taxes you should probably start considering whether or not you need to file a tax extension.

Filing a Federal Tax Extension is Free and Easy

how to file a federal tax extension request

Request a federal tax extension if you aren’t ready to file!

Filing a request for a federal tax extension gives you an extra six months to file your income taxes, and the best part is it is easy and will not cost you a penny. The deadline for filing a tax extension is April 15, the same deadline for filing your federal taxes and making your income tax payment.

The only downside is that an extension of time to file does not give you an extension to pay your federal tax bill. If you owe the IRS money for your income taxes you will have to pay at least 90% of that balance when you file your tax extension request, otherwise you may owe penalties and fees.

Use Tax Form 4868 to File an Extension

Before filing for a tax extension you will need to have a rough draft completed of your tax return. You will need to fill out and file tax form 4868 and send it to the IRS. Form 4868 is relatively easy to complete, as it is only one page long. You will fill out your name, address, social security number, your estimated tax liability, your tax payments, your balance due, and the amount you are paying.

You can use many tax preparation software programs to e-file this form, including TurboTax, H&R Block at Home, and more. These programs offer step-by-step instructions for completing the tax extension and will save your progress if you use the program when you file your taxes. They may charge a fee for the software, but in my experience, using a guided software program is much easier than trying to do taxes by hand.

You can also use the IRS Free File Fillable Forms or download form 4868 from the IRS website, print it, fill it out, and send it in. Don’t forget to include your payment if you owe federal taxes.

For those that are without Internet access, or do not have a printer, you can pick up the Form 4868 at a local IRS office, Post Office, Library, or you can call 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) to file a tax extension.

Tax Deadline Extensions for Military Members

Those that are military members may qualify for an even longer extension, especially if they were serving in a tax free zone for either the current year or the previous year. Some American civilians working overseas may also qualify for a longer extension.

Depending on your situation you may qualify for a military tax deadline extension due to a deployment, service in a tax free military zone, or other military qualification. Some of these extensions are automatic, but others require you at least notify the IRS of your situation. These military tax deadline extensions qualify you for an extension for both filing your federal taxes and making your federal tax payments. In many cases the deadline extension is automatically set at 6 months, but it may be longer if you are currently deployed overseas.

Free tax preparation for military members: Remember – many military members and their family members are eligible for free military tax preparation. Be sure to check your base military tax center for more information about applying for a federal tax extension.

What if You Don’t File a Tax Extension?

Form 4868 is due by April 15th along with the appropriate amount due, if applicable. Once the tax extension form has been filed, a tax payer then has until October 15 of that same year to have your taxes completed and sent in. If you do not file your taxes by either due date, you may then be subject to penalties, fees, and in more extreme circumstances, jail time.

If you cannot make your estimated tax payment by the April 15th deadline, you should call the IRS; often they will work out a payment arrangement with you for large amount if it will cause a financial strain.

Important information about federal tax deadline extensions:

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Chained CPI – The Silent Killer of Government Benefits, Including Military Retirement & VA Disability Benefits

It’s no secret our government is having problems balancing the books. The problems go more than skin deep, and Congress is considering a variety of options to increase government revenues while decreasing spending. One of the areas where the government is looking to cut spending is with government benefits, including Social Security benefits, military retirement benefits, VA disability compensation, government retirement benefits, and similar benefits. But here’s the kicker: you won’t hear the government tell you they want to cut these benefits. Instead, they will tout the benefits of Chained CPI.

Chained CPI - Consumer Price Index

Chained CPI could be a silent killer

Chained what? Glad you asked. If you are a military retiree, social security recipient, or someone who receive VA disability compensation, then you should at least be aware of CPI and how it functions.

Government benefits are tied to inflation. As the cost of living increases, so do government benefits, at least in theory. There are a variety of ways to index inflation, but the method that matters for anyone receiving government benefits is the Consumer Price Index, or CPI. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPI is “a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.”

The Consumer Price Index works like this: the government tracks and measures prices of approximately 80,000 products and services on a monthly basis. As these costs rise, so does the measure of inflation. These costs are used to give a cost of living measurement which is then tied to certain government benefits, including the aforementioned Social Security, Social Security Disability Benefits, military retirement benefits, VA disability compensation, and more.

This leads us to Chained CPI.

How Chained CPI Will Slowly Decrease Your Benefits

Here is how it works: when the cost of an item increases, people react several ways: they either pay the higher price, they do without the item, or they replace the item with a lower cost item. For example, when the cost of steak increases, some people pay the higher prices, some people don’t eat it any more, and some people eat less steak and substitute it with chicken or pork.

Here is a brief video which describes how Chained CPI affects seniors who receive Social Security benefits. You can apply this to your own situation if you are receiving benefits that base their annual COLA of CPI.

Robert B. Reich, is the Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley, and was Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration.

As you can see from the video, Chained CPI results in a lower Cost of Living Adjustment at the end of the year.

Here is the worst part: The decreased COLA increases will compound indefinitely.

Will Chained CPI Decrease Military Retirement or VA Disability Benefits?

If Chained CPI is instituted, the answer is yes, your benefits will decrease accordingly (assuming your benefits are tied to the new system). The difference likely won’t be much. In fact, you may not even notice it the first year. A couple dollars a month makes a difference, but it is a small difference, and one that won’t be noticed by everyone – which is exactly what the government is hoping will happen. The problem is that Chained CPI would be cumulative and would result in a lower cost of living adjustment every year. That $2 or $3 a month difference might be $5 or $6 a month next year, or possibly higher. Within a decade, your monthly benefits may be significantly lower than they otherwise would have under the current Consumer Price Index measurements. Here are some charts which show how you may be affected.

Military Retirees and Veterans Could Get a Triple or Quadruple Whammy

Military retirees and some other government retirees would receive the brunt of this change, as they could be affected, two, three, or even more times by a change to the Chained CPI method of calculating COLA. Here is how: a military retiree currently receiving a pension would receive a lower COLA which compounds over time. The same decrease would apply to Social Security benefits he or she is receiving. A third way this could affect them is if they receive VA Disability compensation benefits. Some military retirees also receive a government pension for their service after they left the military, or they receive a government pension in addition to a pension from their service with the Guard or Reserves. They would be affected as well.

If this might affect you, then take it upon yourself to contact your military lobbying group or your Congressional representative.

Photo credit: racineur

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Pentagon to Restore Tuition Assistance Programs for All Services

The Department of Defense recently announced they would restore the Tuition Assistance Programs that were cut by most branches of the military as a result of the sequestration spending cuts. The sequestration forced unilateral spending cuts across the DoD, leaving each branch of the military to find places to cut spending. Among the first programs eliminated by most branches of the military were the popular Tuition Assistance Programs.

Military Tuition Assistance Restored

Tuition Assistance Programs Are Back!

The Air Force, Army, Marines, and Coast Guard all cut their Tuition Assistance Programs as a method for getting under budget. Of the major branches of the military, only the Navy did not cut their TA program, though they were considering a modified program that would only cover a portion of tuition. Thankfully, each branch of the service will restore their Tuition Assistance Programs for their members.

Tuition Assistance Programs Restored by DoD

Cutting Tuition Assistance was an unpopular move that received a lot of backlash from current servicemembers, veterans groups, and even certain members of Congress. However, military leadership was in a bind because the budget cuts were forced upon them.

Restoring Tuition Assistance received enough attention to garner over 100,000 signatures on a petition to the White House. 100,000 signatures is the required minimum to receive a response from the White House. Congress responded by passing legislation that will provide funding to the Department of Defense to enable them to reinstate Tuition Assistance Programs. The bill, General Provisions of the 2013 Appropriations Bill, was signed into law by President Obama in late March.

When will Tuition Assistance be reinstated? As of right now, the Navy is still the only branch of service still operating their Tuition Assistance Program, since they never suspended it. The other branches suspended their Tuition Assistance Programs in Mid March. Military leadership is awaiting the wording of the law and the funding before they can reinstate the programs.

Cuts may still affect Tuition Assistance Programs. The new legislation orders the services to reinstate Tuition Assistance up to their allocated budgets, minus the required 9.4% spending cut initiated by the sequestration. This leaves the potential for some of the services to run out of funds before the end of FY13. It is recommended servicemembers sign up for classes as soon as the Tuition Assistance Programs are reinstated.

There is no word on how the sequestration will affect the future of the Tuition Assistance Programs beyond the current fiscal year.

Photo credit: Official U.S. Navy Imagery

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Home Depot and Lowes 10% Military Discount Available Everyday

Home Depot and Lowe’s have long been known to offer a 10% holiday discount to military members and their families, and in many cases veterans and retirees. These promotions were usually limited to the main military holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day. Well, no longer – both companies have just announced these offers are available every day of the week! Additionally, you may be able to find discounts online at Lowes.com and savings at HomeDepot.com.

Military Discount Eligibility: Please read the discount information closely, as these discounts may or may not be available to all military veterans on a daily basis.

Home Depot 10% Military Discount

Where one goes the other will follow. Home Depot and Lowe’s are notorious for attempting to undercut their competition, and it is easy to use their deals against each other – try it, just go into a Lowe’s or Home Depot with the flier from the other store and you can almost always get a price match.

The Home Depot 10% military discount was also originally focused on the major veterans holidays, but they followed Lowe’s lead. Again, you should expect to have a proper military ID and except certain limitations on dollar values, online shopping and more. But it’s still a great deal!

Home Depot Military Discount Policy

Some military members and veterans have reported not being able to receive a 10% discount when shopping at Home Depot. I have seen multiple instances where Home Depot advertises the discount, but they don’t officially have the discount listed on their website. An online customer service rep recently gave me this information about Home Depot military discounts:

The Home Depot offers a year-round, 10 percent discount, up to a $500 maximum, at our U.S. stores to all active duty military personnel, reservists, retired or disabled veterans and their immediate families. We offer this discount to thank them for their outstanding service to this nation and to help make their homes more comfortable and safe. Customers requesting the discount should present a valid military ID.

In addition, a 10 percent discount is also offered in recognition of Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day at all U.S. Home Depot stores for all other military veterans. (source)

I also contacted a Home Depot customer service rep online and she gave me this response:

We proudly offer Active and Veteran military a 10% discount on their online or in store purchases.  Please contact Online Customer Care at 1-800-430-3376 and place your online order over the phone for a immediate discount or bring your ID to your local Home Depot.  However, this may not be used in combination with any other sale prices or discounts.

This was the first mention I had heard of being able to receive a military discount online, but it’s worth trying to contact Online Customer Care to see if you can get the discount.

Other people have mentioned not being able to receive the discount for in-store purchases. Apparently it often comes down to manager approval, so it is most likely on a store by store basis. Please share your experiences below.

Guaranteed Low Prices…Now Even Lower

HomeDepot.com Coupon Codes



Lowe’s 10% Military Discount Policy

Lowe’s now offers a 10% military discount to all active duty military members, members of the Guard and Reserve, retired military members and their immediate family members. The 10% Lowe’s discount also applies to disabled veterans and their families. Here is the specific discount information:

To qualify for the Everyday 10% Military Discount, you must: Be currently serving in, or retired from, a qualifying branch of the Armed Services, or be the immediate family member of someone who is and have a valid military ID Card. Or: Be a veteran who receives VA benefits and have a valid Veteran Identification Card (VIC).

We honor all Veterans on three specific holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day. During these three holiday weekends, we extend the discount to all veterans who served honorably and who present a valid Form DD214 or other proof of service. The Lowe’s Military Discount is extended to the Veteran community on these three holidays only. (source)

To be eligible for the everyday 10% discount you will need a valid, government-issued military ID card. All other military veterans will still be able to receive the discount on the Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day weekends. The discount applies to in-stock and special-order purchases up to $5,000, but it excludes sales via Lowes.com and purchases of services or gift cards.

Keep in mind you may be able to find discounts at the Lowe’s.com website. Just follow the link or click on the banner below to access these deals. The best part is that you can view inventory and complete your order online, then visit the store and pick up the item. That way you don’t waste a trip only to find out they didn’t have your item in stock.

Shop Lowes.com

Don’t forget to shop around. If Home Depot or Lowe’s doesn’t honor the military discount, then compare prices with other stores, including playing Home Depot and Lowe’s against each other (they almost always honor coupons and offers from the other store). There are plenty of home improvement coupons available from various stores.

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Sequestration Forces Air Force to Suspend Tuition Assistance

Update: Military Tuition Assistance Programs have been restored by Congress. The dates will be released in the near future.

The US Air Force was the latest branch to suspend tuition assistance, following the cuts made by US Marines and the Army. The tuition assistance cuts were part of a larger set of cuts caused by the sequestration, the result of the Budget Control Act of 2011 which created automatic spending cuts as part of the budget passed by Congress.

sequestration usaf tuition assistance program suspended

USAF suspends Tuition Assistance Program

The original goal of the Budget Control Act was to cut the federal deficit over the next decade. When Congress couldn’t agree on the language of the cuts, they wrote in a set of sweeping budget cuts in order to get the law passed at the last hour to avoid reaching the spending cliff. The goal was to address these cuts before they took effect. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen and virtually every government agency was caught in the cross-fire. This includes the DoD, which is forced to make broad spending cuts across the board.

Here is how the sequestration impacts USAF operations and civilian jobs. In addition to the Air Force cutting flying hours, civilian hours, and training programs, the Air Force has been forced to make other cuts to morale and support programs, including the popular Tuition Assistance Program, effective March 11, 2013. According to the Air Force, this will affect approximately 110,000 members.

USAF Cuts Tuition Assistance

Here is a roundtable discussion with Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, CMSAF James Cody. This is a video well worth watching to better understand how the decision to cut Tuition Assistance was made and why.

As you heard from CMSAF James Cody, the Tuition Assistance Program has only been paused, it has not been eliminated forever. The only issue is we don’t know when it will be restored, as that hinges upon the sequestration being lifted and a new budget being passed.

CMSAF Cody also discussed several other aspects of how cutting the Tuition Assistance Program will affect USAF members, including the impact on Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs), retention and recruiting, and other aspects.

How to pay for classes if you lost Tuition Assistance. There are several ways you can pay for classes if you are no longer able to use Tuition Assistance. First and foremost, you may have access to the Montgomery GI Bill, or the Post-9/11 GI Bill. These benefits are most valuable after you leave the service, so if you plan on saving your benefit, or if you have already transferred your GI Bill benefits, you may have other options. Some of them include grants such as the Pell Grant or other government grants, private military scholarships, state benefits programs for Guard members, or federal student loans.

Visit your base Education and Training Office for more information about your options for paying for classes.

Photo credit: Scott*

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