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Helping Military Families Make The Most of Their Money

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2023 Retired Military Paydays – With Printables

26 December 2022

This post may contain affiliate links, from which I may earn revenue to support this free site. All opinions are my own, and I only promote products that I use and love!

Retired Military paydays are once a month. Military retirement pay is paid on the 1st of the month, unless the 1st is on a weekend or holiday, in which case it is paid on the previous business day (the last business day of the previous month.) Military retirement pay is paid in arrears, meaning that… | Read More…

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Filed Under: Pay, Retirement

Your Military Retirement Move: Travel, Household Goods and Storage

28 November 2022

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Your military retirement move can be a big step in the transition to civilian life. Retiring military members are authorized a move from their last duty station to a home of selection. This includes the movement of household goods and the transportation of eligible family members. This post is part of The Comprehensive Military Retirement… | Read More…

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2023 Contribution Limits for Thrift Savings Plan and IRAs

10 November 2022

This post may contain affiliate links, from which I may earn revenue to support this free site. All opinions are my own, and I only promote products that I use and love!

The IRS has announced the 2023 contribution limits for tax-advantaged retirement plans. Take advantage of your increased military pay for 2023 to beef up your contributions and save more for retirement. Don’t forget that you can contribute to both a 401(k)/TSP type employer-sponsored plan and an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA), and that non-working spouses can… | Read More…

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Filed Under: Deployment, Retirement

Preparing Today, For The Someday When You Leave The Military

31 October 2022

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Every day, I talk to military family members who are facing transition out of the military. Whether it’s the end of a four-year enlistment, a medical separation, or retirement after 20 or 30 years, it is a major life change when you leave the military. Many of the service members and spouses feel unprepared! That’s… | Read More…

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The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) “Payback” Period

30 October 2022

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This post is part of a larger series about the Survivor Benefit Plan. Here’s the complete list of posts. Everything About The Survivor Benefit Plan Understanding the SBP-DIC Offset Life Insurance or SBP? Asking The Right Questions Retiring Military: Should You Choose SBP? 10+ Places To Learn About The Survivor Benefit Plan The Survivor Benefit… | Read More…

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2023 Increases In Military Retirement Pay (plus VA Disability and Social Security)

19 October 2022

This post may contain affiliate links, from which I may earn revenue to support this free site. All opinions are my own, and I only promote products that I use and love!

The 2023 military retirement pay increase (aka retired COLA) has been calculated, and it’s a whopping 8.7% for those who retired prior to 2022! This projected increase is based on the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The Social Security adjustment changes the VA disability compensation rates by law. For military, retired COLA adjustments don’t happen automatically… | Read More…

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Filed Under: Pay, Retirement

Life Insurance or SBP? Asking The Right Questions

11 October 2022

This post may contain affiliate links, from which I may earn revenue to support this free site. All opinions are my own, and I only promote products that I use and love!

Life Insurance or SBP? (That’s the military’s Survivor Benefit Plan.) If I had a nickle for every time I was asked that question – well, I’d be able to go out for a coffee this week. And next week. And every week into the future. At least once a day, someone asks me some variation… | Read More…

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Filed Under: Pay, Retirement

Be Sure You Are Keeping Up With These Retiree Newsletters

26 August 2022

This post may contain affiliate links, from which I may earn revenue to support this free site. All opinions are my own, and I only promote products that I use and love!

It can be hard to keep up with changes in benefits, laws, and programs. One of the best ways to remain informed is to read the various retiree newsletters published by each branch of the military and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). This stuff isn’t just for retirees – there is useful information… | Read More…

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Should You Continue Serving To Earn A Military Retirement? The Golden Albatross Might Help You Decide

24 August 2022

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Every military member, no matter how enthusiastic, wakes up one day (or comes out of a frustrating meeting) and asks themselves, “How much longer do I want to do this?” Invariably, this question is complicated by the cliff-vesting nature of the military retirement pay system. Get out before 20 years of service, and you leave… | Read More…

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Filed Under: Retirement

Military Retiree Medical: Tricare Prime, Select, or USFHP?

22 July 2022

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The choice of a military retiree medical plan can feel overwhelming. One of the big questions during military retirement is: Which Tricare healthcare coverage should I choose? Or maybe you’ve been retired for a while, and you’re wondering if the Tricare health plan you’re using is the right one for your situation. Or you’re moving… | Read More…

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Filed Under: Medical, Retirement

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WELCOME!

Hi! I'm Kate! Accredited Financial Counselor®, Navy spouse, and mom of four.

Here at the blog, I talk about the financial issues that affect military families - pay, allowances, and benefits. Plus college stuff, landlording, moving, taxes. We cover a little bit of everything.

My goal is to give you the tools to make the best decisions right now, so you'll be confidently prepared for whatever comes next - whether that's a PCS move, transition to civilian life, or retirement.

So grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever makes you happy, and let's get to know each other.

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This site does contain advertising and affiliate links. If you click on an advertisement or link, I may be compensated. I only promote companies that I love and trust. Kings High Media/KateHorrell.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Disclaimer

Kate does not represent the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. This blog is strictly for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content on this site should not be considered professional financial or legal advice. I may receive compensation through affiliate or advertising relationships from products mentioned on this site. All reviews on this site represent the personal opinions of the author. All references to third party products, rates, and offers may change without notice.

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