Expert advice for transitioning service members
See what you need to earn based on your retirement pay and VA benefits
Try the Calculator →The 2027 COLA is tracking at 3.1% to 3.4%, and one of the three months that decide it is already published. Every rating from 10% to 100% projected at both scenarios, what the same COLA adds to an E-7 pension, and the exact dates the official numbers arrive.
DoD quietly deleted the language that limited how much Chapter 61 medical retired pay a court could divide. If you have 20+ years and draw concurrent pay, all of it is now disposable retired pay. Who it reaches, who it misses entirely, and the CRSC election that just got more valuable.
You earned 20 good years with the Guard or Reserve, but your first pension check could be 15+ years away. How the points formula works, which benefits you can use right now, the reduced-age retirement rule that could start your pay years early, and what TRICARE costs while you wait. All 2026 numbers.
The first tax season under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act just wrapped. Your pension is still fully taxable, but the lower brackets are now permanent, the SALT cap is $40,400 for 2026, and retirees 65+ get a new $6,000 deduction through 2028. Plus the two military-only provisions most coverage misses: your retirement move is still deductible, and the subsidy clawback that can bite anyone who takes a job mid-year.
$1,574/month for 36 months, and since August 1, 2023 there's no age limit or deadline. When to choose the Fry Scholarship instead, and how to stack Chapter 35 on a state tuition waiver for near-zero college costs.
The complete 2026 pay chart from the official DFAS tables. Monthly basic pay for E-1 through O-10, warrant officers, and prior enlisted officers at every year of service, plus drill pay math and what base pay leaves out.
One bill (H.R. 9237) packages the Major Richard Star Act with $57 billion in cuts to tinnitus and sleep apnea pay for 1.5 million future veterans. Here's what's inside, why veterans groups are split, and what it means for your retirement income. Your current rating is protected.
The TSP now lets you convert Traditional to Roth without leaving the plan. Your BRS match builds a hidden Traditional balance every year. Tax bracket math by rank, the four best conversion windows, in-plan vs. rollover comparison, and 5 costly mistakes to avoid.
The VA proposes cutting sleep apnea from 50% to 10% for CPAP users and eliminating standalone tinnitus ratings. The real cost for military retirees: losing CRDP eligibility below 50% can cost $21,000+ per year. Full financial breakdown with CRDP cliff analysis.
The White House proposed a tiered raise: 7% for E-5 and below, 6% for E-6 to O-3, 5% for O-4+. First rank-tiered raise in 20 years. See how it changes your High-3 retirement pay, BRS pension, and what you keep after state taxes.
The VA caregiver stipend pays $1,896 to $3,791/month tax-free, but 71% of applications are denied. Full guide to Level 1 vs Level 2 pay by location, CHAMPVA health insurance, the application process, and exactly how to strengthen a denied claim.
The Spicer decision broadened secondary service connection, not restricted it. But 73% of claims still fail from weak evidence. The 5 most common condition pairings with real approval rates, nexus letter requirements, and exactly how to build a claim that holds up.
2026 is the first year BRS retirees can take the lump sum. The 50% option can reduce lifetime pension income by over $500,000. See the real math for E-7 and O-5 examples, the 6.5% discount rate, tax rules, and why most advisors say keep the annuity.
$1,699.36/month tax-free for surviving spouses. Your family may qualify even if the veteran's death wasn't service-connected (the 10-year rule). 2026 rates, add-ons up to $3,600/month, SBP stacking, remarriage rules, and how to apply.
The 2027 military COLA is tracking between 2.8% and 3.2%. Rising oil prices from the Iran conflict and tariff inflation are pushing estimates higher. See the latest CPI-W data, what it means for your monthly check, and key dates to watch.
How the 2025 TriWest payment migration disenrolled thousands of West Region beneficiaries, what it cost them, current 2026 fees, and the 10-minute payment checkup that keeps it from happening to you.
The Air Force slashed SkillBridge from 180 days to 60-120 based on rank. Every branch now uses tier systems. Full comparison table, approval chain changes, and 6 moves to protect your transition plan.
C Fund -4.98% in March. April tariff escalation added more losses. Here's what military investors should (and shouldn't) do with their TSP right now, including why panic-moving to the G Fund is usually the wrong call.
Yes, you collect both at full amounts. See 2026 benefit rates, the optimal claiming age for military retirees, how the Social Security Fairness Act helps, and the tax trap most retirees don't see coming.
3.5M+ veterans eligible. Claim approval rate jumped from 25% to 78%. Average rating: 70% = $21K+/year tax-free. Complete guide to presumptive conditions, step-by-step filing, and why the December 2026 Gulf War deadline no longer applies.
The VA has lost 40,000 employees, with 88% of those departures in healthcare. Mental health wait times now average 35+ days nationally. Here's what's happening, how it affects military retirees, and 7 concrete steps to protect your benefits.
The Major Richard Star Act would end the retirement pay offset for 50,000+ combat-injured veterans. See how much more you could receive with 2026 financial impact examples, eligibility requirements, and legislative status updates.
Complete guide to federal and state taxes on military retirement pay in 2026. Learn which income is taxable, which is tax-free (VA disability, CRSC), how 37+ states exempt military pensions, and strategies to reduce your tax bill. Includes real examples comparing Texas vs California with dollar-for-dollar savings.
Avoid these 10 costly mistakes when calculating your post-military income. Covers base pay vs total compensation, federal/state taxes, TRICARE savings, VA disability planning, BRS vs High-3, COLA growth, and more, with real 2026 dollar figures for every scenario.
Complete guide to how military retirement pay is divided in divorce. Understand the USFSPA, the misunderstood 10/10 rule, the frozen benefit rule for post-2016 divorces, the coverture fraction formula, and what's NOT divisible (VA disability, CRSC). Includes 2026 pay examples and our new calculator divorce toggle.
Everything you need to know about TRICARE as a military retiree in 2026. Compare Prime vs Select plans, understand Group A vs B costs, learn about TRICARE For Life at 65, and see all enrollment fees, copays, and FEDVIP dental/vision options.
Should you elect SBP for your military retirement? Complete 2026 analysis with real cost examples, SBP vs life insurance comparison, DIC offset rules, and a decision framework to help you choose.
Complete 2026 military retirement pay chart with the 3.8% pay raise. See monthly retired pay for every rank (E-5 to O-10) at 20, 24, 26, and 30 years of service. Includes High-3, BRS, and combined VA disability totals.
Avoid the military COLA trap in 2026. Learn how retiring in the wrong month could cost you $3,000+ per year permanently. Includes optimal retirement dates, real examples, and the 2.8% COLA calculation.
Which concurrent receipt program pays more - CRDP or CRSC? Complete comparison with 2026 rates, eligibility requirements, tax implications, real calculations, and step-by-step application guide for Combat-Related Special Compensation.
Master the High-3 and BRS retirement formulas with our step-by-step guide. Includes 2026 pay tables, visual calculators, and real examples for E-5 through O-6 ranks. See exactly what your military pension will be.
Discover the top 10 states for military retirees ranked by tax benefits, cost of living, and VA healthcare access. Compare Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and more with real dollar savings examples. See which of the 37 tax-free states is right for you.
Complete 2026 VA disability compensation rates with all dependent categories: spouse, children under 18, schoolchildren 18-23, and dependent parents. Learn the overlooked benefit of claiming parents, income limits, required forms, and how to maximize your tax-free benefits.
Should you retire at 20 years or stay to 30? Comprehensive 2026 financial analysis with corrected pay data, pension calculations, TSP growth projections, opportunity costs, break-even analysis, and decision framework. Includes visual infographics and real-world case studies.
Starting Jan 28, 2026, TSP allows Roth in-plan conversions. Combined with Combat Zone Tax Exclusion, service members can build $80k+ in tax-free accounts in one deployment year, potentially growing to $1.3M+ over 30 years. Complete strategy guide with infographics.
Transitioning servicemembers get ChatGPT Plus free for 1 year ($240 value). Learn exactly how to use AI for resume writing, interview prep, VA benefits navigation, and landing your dream civilian job with real examples.
Complete breakdown of 2026 military retirement pay (3.8% increase) and VA disability rates (2.8% COLA). See real examples of how much more you'll earn in 2026, plus state tax impacts on your retirement income.
Learn the key differences between the High-3 and Blended Retirement System (BRS) and how to maximize your military pension benefits.
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