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Military Benefits

Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP)

The Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) is a military life insurance program for qualifying military families. According to the Defense Accounting and Finance Office official site, “The Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan enables members who served in Reserve Components, and qualify for retired pay, to leave their spouse and/or dependent children with an ongoing monthly benefit called an annuity.” Learn more.

Soarion Credit Union (Formerly Air Force Federal Credit Union)

Once you’ve spent time in the military, you begin to see what really counts in banking: having someone who truly gets your situation, reliable access to your money, and services that can adapt as your life changes. Soarion Credit Union, formerly Air Force Federal Credit Union (AFFCU), began as a small, base-focused institution but has… Read more »

Losing Military Life Insurance

For members of the armed forces, programs like Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) are an important part of the larger package of military benefits, providing high levels of coverage with no required medical exams or high premiums. But military life insurance is not necessarily a lifetime benefit, and there are numerous circumstances under which it… Read more »

Andrews Federal Credit Union

Andrews Federal Credit Union (Andrews FCU) was born to meet the day-to-day banking needs of military communities. With branches in the Washington, D.C. area and on U.S. Army bases across Europe, it serves the financial realities of military life, including PCS orders, overseas moves, pay system quirks, and household transitions. Here’s a look at Andrews… Read more »

Accelerated VA Death Benefits

Did you know that VA death benefits can be accelerated if there is a terminal illness? VA policy allows servicemembers and families to request “up to 50% of the face value of your coverage in increments of $5,000—paid to you before death.” You or your spouse may qualify for benefits early if you have SGLI,… Read more »

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)

The Basic Allowance for Subsistence, or BAS, is a military benefit offered to individual military members to help with the cost of meals while on duty. The core purpose of BAS, according to one source, is to provide a “standardized, non-taxable payment” to service members to offset the costs of meals when a standard military dining facility or other options aren’t available or practical. Learn more.

Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU)

Military life doesn’t always line up with traditional banking hours or traditional banking needs. Between relocations, deployments, and pay schedules that don’t always follow a typical pattern. Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) was built with service members in mind. But how does it rank against the offerings of other military credit unions? >Never miss… Read more »

USAA Bank

When dealing with military life, from frequent moves and sudden orders to the shift between active duty and civilian work, your choice of bank matters more than most people realize. USAA Savings Bank often enters the conversation early, but before you sign up, it’s worth asking: What does USAA actually offer?Our breakdown looks at how USAA Bank fits into the broader world of military-focused financial institutions. We’ll cover who’s eligible, what services stand out, and where it may or may not meet your needs. Learn more.

How to Report Appalling Conditions in Military Housing

Are you a single soldier living in Army barracks with serious neglect issues? Are you a member of a military family dealing with leaking pipes, lead paint, and pests? Have you reported these issues but have gotten no resolution?  You are not alone. One source reports, “Roughly 700,000 service members and their families live in… Read more »

What is Fraudulent Enlistment?

The United States military has a set of standards for potential new recruits, with each service branch setting specific requirements. There are standards for education, physical fitness, and personal conduct, to name a few. Most recruits have few issues when answering a recruiter’s questions, but some feel the need to conceal certain aspects of their… Read more »