KateHorrell

Helping Military and Veteran Families Be Confidently Prepared for The Next Stage of Life

Will The Military Get Paid If We Hit The Debt Ceiling?


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What the heck is a debt ceiling? And is it going to affect your life as a military or veteran family? Our country is potentially wading into uncharted waters, and they’re dark and murky.  What Is A Debt Ceiling? The easiest way to imagine the debt ceiling is kind of like a credit limit on… | Read More…

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


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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…

What the SBP Open Season Means for You: Updated With Enrollment Info


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You may have seen the news that the military’s Survivor Benefit Plan is having an open season. During the SBP open season, folks who did not elect SBP coverage can now buy into the program. Also, people who are currently in the SBP can get out. This is a really big deal. Many families may… | Read More…

2023 Retired Military Paydays – With Printables


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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…

Your Military Retirement Move: Travel, Household Goods and Storage


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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…

2023 Contribution Limits for Thrift Savings Plan and IRAs


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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…

Preparing Today, For The Someday When You Leave The Military


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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…

The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) “Payback” Period


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!

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…

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


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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…

Life Insurance or SBP? Asking The Right Questions


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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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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.