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Transitioning from the military to civilian life is a huge life change that involves critical financial considerations. We’ve put together a list of financial recommendations for you and your spouse take into account prior to separating.
- Put together a transition fund. Whether or not you or your spouse have a job lined up after you leave the military, it’s a good idea, if possible, to set up a fund with enough money to cover at least six months of your expenses. Take the time to add up how much your family spends on average in a month. Keep in mind that leaving the military will likely mean additional expenses to take into consideration. For example, once you or your spouse separates you will no longer receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and will need to cover your own housing expenses. Even if you are not able to save six months’ worth, remember that having some savings is better than none. Civilian careers have less stability than the military; having a transition fund will provide your family financial security as you embark into this next chapter of life.
- Know your future tax situation. As a civilian, you will be expected to file and pay your federal taxes by April 15th, while state tax rates and regulation vary significantly. Familiarize yourself with the tax rate in the state where your family will be residing in after leaving the military so that you don’t have any surprises when you next file. If you or your spouse are retiring from the military, know that there are multiple states that don’t tax military retirement income; find out here if your state is one of them.
- Learn all your coverage options.
- Health insurance – Health insurance is critical. If you or your spouse have a civilian job lined up already, make sure to understand all benefits offered and the employees share of any premium cost associated with different benefit levels. If you are retiring from the military after 20 years of active duty service, you are eligible for insurance through TRICARE. If you are separating but not retiring, you may qualify for temporary coverage through the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. TRICARE’s website has more information on temporary coverage here. Some veterans may be eligible for VA health care, click here for eligibility information. You can also check your state’s healthcare market place to see what options they offer. Be sure to factor any health insurance costs into your new expenses for budgeting purposes. A health issue without health insurance could drastically hurt your family’s financial situation, so be sure you are covered when you separate.
- Life insurance – Life insurance is key to the strength of your family’s financial future and stability. After 120 days from an end of active service, you will no longer have $400,000 worth of life insurance coverage from Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance. You can apply for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) up to 240 days after leaving the service without a medical exam. Keep in mind though, that because no medical exam is required, premiums for VGLI may be higher than necessary for a person who is in average or better health. To learn more about the differences between VGLI and individual Level Term, download Navy Mutual’s life insurance guide.
- SBP – The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is a government-backed, monthly income annuity provided to enrolled beneficiaries when a servicemember dies. Military retirees forego a small (6.5%) pre-tax percentage of monthly pension income to protect up to 55% of their pension benefit that may receive a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for a survivor’s entire lifetime. SBP offers a very subsidized way to preserve part of that monthly income for an eligible beneficiary. While on active duty, SBP is a free automatic benefit of service, but participation for a retirees’ beneficiary is a voluntary decision that should not be taken lightly since the election in most circumstances is irreversible. The retiree is required to make an SBP election by their last day on active duty or are otherwise enrolled at the maximum possible SBP protection level, so confirm with your administrative office when your paperwork should be submitted. The SBP election is made on form DD-2656 or CG4700 for USCG, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and USPHS. You may elect SBP based on your gross retired pay or a smaller base amount (from $300/month to full retired pay). If you elect SBP, you must designate your beneficiary at that time. For more information and useful benefit calculators, click here.
- Consider your retirement plan. Do you or your spouse contribute to a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)? Carefully consider whether or not to rollover the account into an IRA or 401K. Investment management fees in a TSP account are much lower than any other retirement account alternative, meaning you would be spending less to keep the money there than in a different account, resulting in greater potential growth over many years. Remember that once you leave the military you will not be able to open another TSP account if you close your existing account (unless you are employed by the federal government). While regular contributions to your TSP cannot be made after you separate, you may be able to rollover other qualified retirement accounts to reduce administration fees for more of your retirement savings. Speak with a financial planner familiar with TSP and military retirement prior to making any significant changes to your TSP account.
- Understand your Veteran benefits. The VA has numerous resources and benefits for veterans that you may be eligible for. Find out more information by using the links below:
Separating from the military is a major life change that requires many decisions to be made. Give your family time to make informed financial decisions so that you can start your civilian life in the best position possible. Navy Mutual is here to help, to schedule an appointment with a representative, click here, or email us at counselor@navymutual.org.