Bridging the Military Retirement Gap

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Military Servicemembers approaching retirement have a simple financial problem that they have to solve. They have to bridge the gap between their active duty pay and their post retirement lifestyle. That requires combining compensation from multiple sources. This video conceptualizes those sources to help make decisions clearer.

#militaryretirement #militarytransition #veteranaffairs

Note: The views expressed in this video are the presenter's and do not represent the policy or guidance of the Department of Defense or its subordinate elements.

[andrewmcintosh]

Go for it brother. You have great insight and a gift to transform ideas into a visual aid.

[kvnndvn]

This a great video. I'm sort of a weird anomaly. I was RegAF for 14 years 10 months. I got caught up in the massive 2014 Obama military downsize. I went immediately into the Reserve. I completed several years of ADOS. My Title 10 time is now 18years, 11 months, 21 days. I have a military tour I'm leaving for in one week. That tour qualifies me for an active duty retirement. The good Lord blessed me with a solid VA rating and a Dept of Defense civilian job. These videos have raised awareness in certain topics. Thank you, Chuck.

[EricDaMAJ]

Great metaphor. I’d add one thing: predators behind you driving you off that cliff. They’re your lack of motivation/self confidence to continue your career, the lack of capability to continue your career, and the military’s lack of confidence you can continue your career. Ideally all three predators are slow, stupid, weak and not particularly hungry. But like all other bits of the metaphor, you don’t know for certain. They may be fast, clever, strong and ravenous.

While planning my retirement I used the DFAS and other retirement pay calculators repeatedly. Sometimes daily. Usually for myself but sometimes for other officers or even for curiosity about senior NCOs. (How much does a retired E-5 make?) The familiarity helped ensure I didn’t “fat finger” the wrong data. If my numbers came up weird I investigated why.

One thing that helps is to be frugal with finances. Don’t fall for the consumerist lifestyle where you’re always spending money on nonsense. Be spartan.

[lelandgaunt]

I am glad the wep was approved and is gone.😊

[EugeneTChu]

Along with active duty retirement, there is the separate issue of reserve retirement. Retired reservists do not reach pension eligibility until age 60 (pending any reductions from mobilizations).

[gregorybrennan]

Great minds think alike, yours sir, and General Montgomery