This generation of veterans and servicemembers has access to the best benefits of any era in history. From the VA Home Loan program to the GI Bill, you can save money, enhance your career opportunities, and even change your life. Don’t miss out on any of the military and veteran benefits you have earned.
On January 20, 2026, lawmakers introduced a $839 billion defense spending bill that includes additional funding for military benefits and quality-of-life programs. This bipartisan legislation allocates $8 billion more than the initial administration request to prioritize personnel benefits and infrastructure. >> Never miss benefits news and updates that are important to you. Sign up today… Read more »
In late 2025, the Department of Defense announced a one-time bonus for currently serving military members. A payment of $1,776 was made to troops in honor of the year of American independence (1776) and the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service began distributing the bonus in late 2025. Most eligible troops received… Read more »
The VA home loan is one of the most popular military benefits. It can be used to be a new or pre-owned home, and qualifying VA borrowers are offered more competitive interest rates than for other types of mortgage loans. The zero downpayment option is also an important benefit. Did you know the VA loan… Read more »
Transitioning from active duty to the National Guard or Reserve is a shift from a full-time military commitment to a part-time service obligation. Making the switch affects compensation, healthcare, and retirement benefits, and it pays to know how those benefits are affected long before you decide to leave active service. We cover some of the… Read more »
Congressional leaders are negotiating to prevent a partial government shutdown as the January 30 funding deadline approaches. Some are confused by this because defense funding was approved late in 2025. Why are troops facing delayed paychecks again in 2026? February 2026 Government Shutdown? While the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was passed in late 2025,… Read more »
If you are a fan of DoorDash, Instacart, or Grubhub, you should know about home delivery service options available to stateside troops and families offered by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). In 2026, DeCA expands its “Commissary CLICK2GO” home grocery delivery service to 70 stores across the United States. This transition from a pilot program… Read more »
Did you know that, in some cases, military retirement pay awarded to a servicemember after leaving the military can be reduced? Military members are entitled to draw their retirement pay for life, but it is subject to reduction or recalculation under certain circumstances after a service member transitions to the civilian world. Can the DoD… Read more »
The federal government currently operates under a patchwork of funding measures following the record-setting 43-day shutdown in late 2025. When the President signed the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on December 18, 2025, it codified the defense spending budget and priorities for the new year. What it did NOT do was provide the actual… Read more »
If you are new to TRICARE, you are likely also new to some of its jargon. What two important things will you learn right away? TRICARE-allowable charges and TRICARE balance billing. These help determine how much money you’ll pay after a doctor’s visit. TRICARE Allowable Charges and Balance Billing The TRICARE-allowable charge represents the maximum dollar… Read more »
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act was passed in December 2025, and the passage of that bill marked essential changes in basic military benefits. Some of the changes take the form of benefit increases, while others involve adjusted benefit caps and reporting requirements. Learn more.