Navigating VA Benefits: Financial Planning for Military Veterans
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As a former servicemember, you’ve earned your U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Now you just need to maximize those benefits to move toward experiencing a life of financial freedom. Financial planning for military Veterans with AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust LLC (AWM&T) can help you effectively navigate your VA benefits.
When you separated or retired from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard, you became eligible for benefits to aid you and your family in buying a home, earning college degrees, maintaining your mental and physical health, and planning for the financial well-being of your family after your death. You also have military benefits, such as your pension.
Financial planning for military Veterans with AWM&T can help you align the VA benefits you’re eligible for with your goals for financial independence.
What Are VA Benefits?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers former military personnel and their families a wide range of services and programs commonly referred to as VA benefits. Former servicemembers can access these services through three main facilities:
- Veterans Benefits Administration
- Veterans Health Administration
- National Cemetery Administration
These facilities administer a number of post-military benefits. Such benefits can include:
- Pension plans
- Disability compensation
- Educational opportunities
- Home loans
- Insurance
- Healthcare
- Employment assistance
- Burial support
However, not all former military servicemembers are eligible to receive VA benefits. Only former servicemembers who received an honorable or general discharge or those with a service-related injury or disability are eligible.
Financial Planning for Military Veterans and Your VA Benefits
Understanding and applying for some benefits can be daunting; however, navigating and maximizing your VA benefits can help you build wealth, lessen your tax liability, and cover your long-term healthcare costs. AWM&T’s financial planning for military Veterans can guide you toward getting what you deserve from your VA benefits.
Military Pension
As a Veteran, your military pension is one of your most valuable benefits. Depending on the year your military service started, the rank you earned, and your length of service, your pension plan may vary in type and value. However, it includes one of the following:
- Final Pay Plan
- Legacy/High 36 Plan
- REDUX
- Blended Retirement System
- Thrift Savings Plan
- Survivors Benefit Plan
Military Benefits in Retirement can help you make the most of your payout to grow your retirement nest egg.
Home Loan
Buying your “forever home” after military service is a highly anticipated personal and financial milestone, and the VA Loan program provides former military personnel advantages: no down payment and low interest rates.
Healthcare
If you’re eligible, the VA Health Care benefits can support your efforts to maintain your mental and physical health or manage any health issues that arise. Your health benefits provide visits to your primary care physician or a specialist and prescriptions, and you also have access to home and elder care, medical equipment, and prosthetics.
Tax Planning
Tax assistance isn’t directly related to your VA benefits, but there are tax benefits you receive as a Veteran that can save you money which can be invested for your financial future. As a military Veteran, financial planning can help you find the federal tax exemptions available on your retirement pay and whether there are any state exemptions where you live.
These exemptions go a long way in reducing your tax liability and freeing up money to be saved or invested.
Other Benefits
While AWM&T’s financial planning for military servicemembers can assist you in taking advantage of your VA benefits, such as state-specific VA benefits, you also can benefit financially from perks and special programs for Veterans at military-focused banks and credit unions, as well as retail discounts.
Start Navigating Your VA Benefits Today
At AWM&T, we exclusively serve military families just like yours. We’re here to deliver the wealth management solutions and the specialized financial advice you need and deserve. To get in touch, call 1-910-307-3500 or click here to speak to a professional. You can learn more information on our website here.
About Us
AWM&T was created in 2012 to meet the financial needs of military families. We provide experienced, trustworthy, long-range financial planning, investment management, and trust administration services to support financial independence and security. We aim to be the premier provider of fiduciary services by always working for our Members’ best interests.
We are proud to share the mission, vision, and values of AAFMAA, our parent company. We consistently build on AAFMAA’s rich history and tradition to provide our Members with a source of compassion, trust, and protection. Through AAFMAA’s long-standing legacy and our financial expertise, AWM&T is honored to provide personalized wealth management services to military families across generations.
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