Benefits

Military members, retirees, veterans, and their family members have access to a variety of extremely valuable benefits. This section of our site can help you learn more about the benefits you have earned and how to apply for them. Thank you for your service!

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2021 military pay charts

Most Popular Articles:

2022 VA Service-Connected Disability Compensation Rate Tables

VA service-connected disability compensation rates increased by 5.9% in 2022, effective Dec 1, 2021. Here are the current VA disability compensation rate tables.

How to Add or Remove a Dependent from VA Compensation Benefits

Military veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more are often eligible to receive VA disability compensation benefits. Veterans may be eligible to receive a higher compensation rate if they are rated at 30% or …

Understanding Guard and Reserve Points – How to Earn Points, and How they Affect Your Retirement

Members of the Guard and Reserves earn Retirement Points for their service. These Retirement Points are used to determine your “Good Years” of service and help to determine your military retirement pay. This article helps you …

Military Involuntary Separation Pay Rules & Eligibility

With the current military drawdown, involuntary separations will be a way of life for military members for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, being informed you will be involuntarily separated from the military usually comes with little notice. …

How VA Disability Compensation Affects Military Retirement Pay

If you have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher, you are eligible to receive a monthly compensation check from the VA. The monthly compensation payments vary by your disability rating—and if your rating …

Can the VA Reduce Your Disability Benefits? What You Need to Know About a Reexamination Notice

When the VA gives you a service-connected disability rating, it retains the right to reexamine you to determine if your disability is still present and warrants the original rating. The VA can increase, reduce or terminate your …

GI Bill Transfer Rules – Transfer your GI Bill Benefits to Your Spouse or Children

There is good news for those of you out there who are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill — you may be eligible to transfer your GI Bill to a spouse or child if you meet the …

Concurrent Receipt Rules – Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP)

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP), also known as Concurrent Receipt, allows military retirees to receive both a full military retirement pension and full VA Disability compensation benefits, provided they meet eligibility requirements (listed below). The …

Military Education Benefits:

We have some great advice on different education options you could choose.

How Military Families Can Use 529 Plans to Save for their Children’s Education

2021 – 2022 Montgomery GI Bill Rates – How Much is Your MGIB Benefit Worth?

Should You Use Your GI Bill Benefits for an Online Degree?

How Does the VA Calculate Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits?

Veterans Discharged Under ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ Are Now Eligible for VA Benefits

Understanding Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits – Eligibility, Payment Rates, Monthly Housing Allowance, and More

Veteran Readiness and Employment Program Helps Vets Re-Enter the Workforce

Scholarships for Military Spouses: Tips and Tricks to Find, Apply For, and Get the Best Scholarships For You

Scholarships for Military Spouses and Children: Finding and Applying for the Best Scholarships For You

The Forever GI Bill – Understanding the Basics

Military Education Benefits – A Guide to Education and Training Benefits

Maximize Your GI Bill Benefits – Attend VA Approved Schools & Programs

Free Classes Offered on Base

How I Plan to Pay for My Children’s College with the GI Bill and 529 Plans

Transfer Your GI Bill Benefits Now! Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer Changes Coming

My Experience Transferring the Post 9/11 GI Bill to My Children

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Program Eligibility, Benefits, and Why it is Ending

Bill Proposal Would Allow Veterans to Use Post-9/11 GI Bill as Collateral for Small Business Loan

Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill – Tips to Make the Most of Your Benefits (Podcast 014)

Using Tuition Assistance Benefits and Taking Classes While on Active Duty – Podcast 008

2021 Army Tuition Assistance Benefits – How to Pay for Your College Education

Navy Tuition Assistance Program Benefits (Updated for FY 2021)

2021 Coast Guard Tuition Assistance Benefits – How to Get the CG to Pay for Your Education

2021 US Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Benefits

Air Force Tuition Assistance Benefits (Updated for FY 2021)

How to Pay for School When You Run out of GI Bill Benefits

Use the GI Bill for Licenses and Certifications

Private Military Scholarships

Tips for Testing out of College Courses

Using Corporate Education Benefits and the Montgomery GI Bill

Will the Military Forgive Your Student Loans?

Extra College Money for Military Members and Veterans

How to Know When the Time is Right to Get a Master’s Degree

Can I Collect Unemployment Benefits While Using the GI Bill?

Comparing Coverdell ESA and 529 Plan

Coverdell Educational Savings Account (ESA)

529 College Savings Plan – The Best Way to Save for College?

What is the GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program?

Tips For Taking Classes While in the Military

Can You Get a Montgomery GI Bill Refund? Refund Rules and Eligibility

History of the GI Bill

GI Bill Transfer Rules – Transfer your GI Bill Benefits to Your Spouse or Children

5 GI Bill Facts Every Veteran Needs to Know

Military Retirement:

We have some great advice on different retirement options you could choose.

Military Retirement Income Taxes by State – Which States Don’t Tax Military Retirement Pay?

How to Retire Early Without Early Withdrawal Tax Penalties

Roth TSP Guide – Benefits of Investing in the Roth Thrift Savings Plan Account

2022 Thrift Savings Plan Contribution Limits and Rules – Deployed Contributions, Agency Match and More

2022 Military Retirement Pay COLA – 5.9% Increase

Make Sure Your Thrift Savings Plan, Other Investments are Within 2021 Contribution Limits

Gray Area Retirement Benefits – Guard And Reserve Benefits Until Reaching Full Retirement Age

Blended Retirement System Continuation Pay Rates

TSP Automatic Enrollment Program – How It Works, Percentages, & Updates

Service Requirements to Retire as a Commissioned Officer

How a Pension Impacts Your Retirement – How You Can Retire With or Without a Pension

Are You on Track to Retire? (How You Can Find Out, With a Free Retirement Review from USAA)

Blended Retirement System Opt-in Deadline – Decision Time by Dec. 31, 2018

Blended Retirement System (BRS) – Everything You Need to Know About the New Military Retirement Plan

TSP Loan – Dangers of Taking a Loan from Your Thrift Savings Plan Account

Military TSP – How Service Members Can Make the Most of Their TSP Plan

World Class Investing with the TSP – Investing in the style of Buffett, Bogle, and Collins

Roth Conversion of a TSP Account: A Case Study

Should You Choose the Blended Retirement System (BRS)? 10 Considerations Before Deciding

Roth Conversion for Your TSP Account – 5 Tax Planning Considerations

Guard & Reserve Retirement Points – How to Earn More Points Before Retirement

New Military Retirement Plan – Military Bloggers Discuss The Pros and Cons

Thrift Savings Plan Lifecycle Funds – What You Need to Know About TSP Target Date Funds

Why TSP Has Enough Diversification for Any Investor (Unless Investing is Your Hobby)

2021 and 2022 Retired Military Pay Dates and Retirement Account Statements

Military Retirement Pay – What Will My Military Pension Look Like?

Thrift Savings Plan Rollover Guide – How to Transfer Your TSP into an IRA – with Instructions for Tax-Exempt Contributions

Understanding Guard and Reserve Points – How to Earn Points, and How they Affect Your Retirement

National Guard and Reserves Retirement Benefits Guide (Podcast 011)

Retired Guard and Reserve Health Care Options – Tricare & Private Health Insurance

Active Duty Military Retirement Benefits (Podcast 010)

Military Forcing Some Officers to Retire with Enlisted Pay

How VA Disability Compensation Affects Military Retirement Pay

Financial Independence and Early Retirement on a Military Salary. An Interview with Doug Nordman (Podcast 002)

Thrift Savings Plan Basics & Why You Should Participate (Podcast 001)

Concurrent Receipt Rules – Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP)

Congress Restores Military Retirement Pay

MyRA – My Retirement Account Basics

Congress Cuts Military Retirement Pay

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Life Annuity Guide

Is an Early Military Retirement a Good Option? A Look at TERA

National Guard and Reserve Early Retirement Age

Why Military Members Don’t Get Matching Contributions in the Thrift Savings Plan – Unless They Participate in the Blended Retirement System

How to Manage Your Thrift Savings Plan Account

Financial Tips for New Military Members

Can I Contribute to the TSP When I Leave the Military?

How to Change Your Thrift Savings Plan Address

Planning for Retirement from the Military – How to Account for a Military Pension

Should You Rollover Your TSP Account Into an IRA? Pros and Cons of Transferring Your TSP

Understanding Tax Exempt Contributions and Withdrawals to the TSP

Military Insurance:

We have some great advice on different military insurance options you could choose.

Military Insurance: Your Access to Life, Health and Dental

How to Have the Life Insurance Conversation with Your Spouse

How to Invest Your SGLI Payout Without Taxes

Military Health Care For Active, Guard & Reserves, and Retirees

What to Do When a Military Veteran or Retiree Dies

2021 Tricare Open Season – How to Enroll in Tricare or Change Your Healthcare Plan

Tricare Reserve Select: Coverage Basics, Enrollment, & Costs

Flu Season – Get a Free Flu Shot from the VA

Five Situations That Indicate a Need for Life Insurance

Continued Health Care Benefit Program – Health Care for Transitioning Veterans

2022: Tricare Reserve Select Costs Less, Other Plans Increase

The Covid-19 Vaccine is Mandatory for Service Members Now. Here’s What You Need to Know.

Chiropractic Chain to Open Offices in Military Exchange Shopping Centers

Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program Overview – Are You Eligible & How to Apply

Tricare and Pregnancy – Prenatal, Pregnancy & Birth, Postnatal

Why You Need Life Insurance Beyond SGLI

Exceptional Family Member Program & Respite Care for Military Caregivers

Tricare Overseas Program Coverage Basics

Tricare Young Adult – Healthcare for College-Aged Dependents

Tricare Chiropractic Coverage – Does Tricare Cover Chiropractor Visits?

Everything You Need to Know About Tricare Orthodontic Coverage

Tricare Prime vs. Select: How to Decide What’s Best For You/Your Family

3M Earplug Lawsuit – Some Military Members and Veterans May Be Eligible for Compensation

VA Dental Insurance Program Overview (VADIP) – Dental Care for Veterans

CHAMPVA Health Care Benefits and Eligibility

Tricare Telehealth – What Is & Isn’t Covered?

Tricare for Life: Coverage Basics, Enrollment, & Costs

Tricare Select: Coverage Basics, Enrollment, & Costs

Tricare Prime: Coverage Basics, Enrollment, & Costs

VA Health Care Enrollment – How to Apply for VA Health Care Benefits

Military Retiree Dental Insurance Program Through FEDVIP – What You Need to Know

Military Life Insurance Guide – How Much, What Type, & Where to Buy it

Why Family Member SGLI Isn’t Enough for Most Military Families

Why SGLI Isn’t Enough Life Insurance For Most Military Families

TRICARE Roundtable Discussion – The Good, The Bad, and How to Improve TRICARE

5 Considerations About Your Military Life Insurance Needs

Life Insurance Options for Military Members

Term Life Insurance Vs. Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) — A Side By Side Comparison

TRICARE Reference Guide – The Links and Phone Numbers You Need to Know

Health Care Benefits After Separating from the Military

VA Health Care Eligibility – Can You Receive VA Health Care?

Retired Guard and Reserve Health Care Options – Tricare & Private Health Insurance

Servicemembers Group Life Insurance Premiums – How Much Will You Pay for Full Coverage?

VA Health Care Coverage and the Affordable Care Act

Tricare Prime Service Area Rules – Some Military Retirees to Lose Tricare Prime

What Every Veteran Needs to Know About VA Medical Benefits

Latest Articles:

How to Do Your 2021 Taxes Like a Pro

How the Deferred Military Payroll Taxes Impact Your 2021 Taxes

Tax Rules Affecting the Military, Part 2: Taxable Income

Non-Taxable Military Pay and Benefits

Military Retirement Income Taxes by State – Which States Don’t Tax Military Retirement Pay?

2022 Drill Pay Charts

How to Retire Early Without Early Withdrawal Tax Penalties

2022 Non-Locality BAH Rates: BAH Type II, Partial BAH and BAH Differential

2022 Military Pay Charts

Military Insurance: Your Access to Life, Health and Dental

2022 Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) Rates

How to Have the Life Insurance Conversation with Your Spouse

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