KEY TAKEAWAYS The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 4, 2025) overhauled federal student loan repayment — eliminating SAVE, phasing out PAYE and ICR by July 2028, and creating a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). PSLF still exists but its qualifying employer list changed in October 2025. Veterans rated 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) or TDIU qualify for a Total and … [Read more...] about Student Loan Forgiveness for Military Members and Veterans 2026: Every Program Explained
Military Money
Identity Theft Protection for Veterans: How to Guard What You Earned
KEY TAKEAWAYS The military community filed more than 210,000 fraud reports in 2024, totaling roughly $584 million in losses, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Veterans are high-value targets because they hold multiple government benefit accounts — VA disability pay, retirement, TRICARE, GI Bill — all accessible with a stolen Social Security number. Active duty service … [Read more...] about Identity Theft Protection for Veterans: How to Guard What You Earned
Military IRA Contribution Guide 2026: Combat Pay, Roth Strategy, and TSP Coordination
Key Takeaways The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500 ($8,600 if age 50+) — up from $7,000 in 2025, the first increase in two years Tax-exempt combat pay counts as earned income for IRA purposes under the HERO Act — deployed service members can fund a Roth IRA with completely tax-free money, creating a triple tax advantage TSP and IRA contribution limits are completely … [Read more...] about Military IRA Contribution Guide 2026: Combat Pay, Roth Strategy, and TSP Coordination
Military TSP Calculator 2026: Project Your Retirement Balance
KEY TAKEAWAYS The 2026 TSP contribution limit is $24,500 ($32,000 if you're 50 or older with catch-up contributions) Under BRS, DoD matches up to 5% of base pay — contribute at least 5% to capture the full match The C Fund has averaged roughly 6.9% annually — compounding over 20 years turns modest contributions into significant retirement wealth Maxing out your TSP early in … [Read more...] about Military TSP Calculator 2026: Project Your Retirement Balance
USAA vs. Navy Federal 2026: Which Is Better for Military Members?
Key Takeaways Navy Federal offers higher savings rates, lower auto loan rates, and 350+ branch locations including on military bases worldwide USAA leads on insurance products, deployment protections, and early military pay — depositing pay up to two business days early vs. Navy Federal's one business day Navy Federal VA mortgage rates are currently as low as 5.56%; USAA rates … [Read more...] about USAA vs. Navy Federal 2026: Which Is Better for Military Members?
Free Military Tax Preparation and Filing in 2026: Every Option Explained
Key Takeaways MilTax is the Department of Defense's free tax software for active-duty service members, eligible family members, survivors, and veterans within 365 days of separation — with no income limit. Enlisted active-duty and reserve members (E-1 through E-9) can also file federal and state taxes for free through TurboTax's military discount program. Veterans and retirees … [Read more...] about Free Military Tax Preparation and Filing in 2026: Every Option Explained
Military TSP Guide 2026: Contribution Limits, BRS Matching & Investment Strategy
Key Takeaways 2026 TSP contribution limit is $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025), with an additional $8,000 catch-up for those 50+ ($11,250 for ages 60-63) BRS members get automatic 1% contribution plus up to 4% matching—contributing at least 5% monthly gets you full match ($2,000-4,000+ annual free money) Military must contribute as percentage of base pay, not dollar … [Read more...] about Military TSP Guide 2026: Contribution Limits, BRS Matching & Investment Strategy
Final Expense Insurance for Veterans: What the VA Doesn’t Cover
The VA provides burial benefits for eligible veterans. Most families assume that means their loved one's funeral is taken care of. Then they get the bill. A traditional funeral in 2026 costs between $8,000 and $12,000. The VA's standard burial allowance for eligible veterans is up to $978. That gap — potentially $10,000 or more — lands directly on your family at one of the … [Read more...] about Final Expense Insurance for Veterans: What the VA Doesn’t Cover
VGLI vs. Private Life Insurance: Which Is Right for Veterans?
When you leave the military, one of the first financial decisions you face is what to do with your life insurance. Most veterans default to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) because it's the path of least resistance — no medical exam, easy conversion from SGLI, and a familiar government program. But VGLI's biggest feature is also its biggest flaw: the premiums never stop … [Read more...] about VGLI vs. Private Life Insurance: Which Is Right for Veterans?
Best Credit Cards for Active Duty Military: How to Use MLA Fee Waivers to Get Premium Rewards for Free
Key Takeaways Under the Military Lending Act (MLA), major credit card issuers waive annual fees on premium cards for active duty service members and their covered dependents — including cards with fees of $500 or more per year. This fee waiver is one of the most underutilized financial benefits in the military community. Many service members who qualify never claim it. Premium … [Read more...] about Best Credit Cards for Active Duty Military: How to Use MLA Fee Waivers to Get Premium Rewards for Free