Since the spring of this year, 6 more states have added benefits for military retirees by exempting military retiree pay in some capacity. Not all states offer full exemption. When reviewing which states offer exemptions, know the details in regards to age or gross income amount.

As of this writing, California and the District of Columbia are the only areas that do not offer any tax exception on military retiree pay.

Alabama: Retiree pay is tax-free

Alaska: There is no state income tax for the state of Alaska, so retiree pay is tax-free!

Arizona: Retiree pay is tax-free after the 2021 bill was passed.

Arkansas: Retiree pay is tax-free

California: Following federal rules, California does not currently offer tax exemption on military retiree pay.

Colorado: Retiree pay under the age of 55 can exclude up to $10,000 income from their taxable income, those age 55064 can exclude up to $20,000, and those age 65 and up can exclude $24,000 of income

Connecticut: Retiree pay is tax-free

Delaware: Up to $2,000 of military retirement is excluded for those under age 60 and $12,500 for those 60 and older

District of Columbia: Following federal rules, DC does not currently offer tax exemption on military retiree pay.

Florida: There is no state income tax for Florida, so retiree pay is tax free.

Georgia: Retirees who are over 62 or permanently disabled may be eligible for an exclusion of retiree pay.

Hawaii: Retiree pay is tax-free

Idaho: Retiree pay is tax-free for those over age 65, and over 62 for disabled retirees.

Illinois: Retiree pay is tax-free

Indiana: Retiree pay is tax-free as of 2022.

Iowa: Retiree pay is tax-free

Kansas: Retiree pay is tax-free

Kentucky: Up to $31,110 is tax-free.

Louisiana: Retiree pay is tax-free

Maine: Retiree pay is tax-free

Maryland: The first $5,000 is tax-free and once age 55 or older $15,000 is tax-free.

Massachusetts: Retiree pay is tax-free

Michigan: Retiree pay is tax-free

Minnesota: Retiree pay is tax-free

Mississippi: Retiree pay is tax-free

Missouri: Retiree pay is tax-free

Montana: Following federal rules, DC does not currently offer tax exception on military retiree pay.

Nebraska: As of 2022, all military retirement is tax-free.

Nevada: There is no state income tax in Nevada.

New Hampshire: There is no state income tax in New Hampshire, there is tax on interest and dividends.

New Jersey: Retiree pay is tax-free. Honorably discharged veterans qualify for a one-time $6,000 tax deduction in the year after discharge.

New Mexico: As of March of 2022, the Governor of New Mexico announced a three-year income exemption for armed forces retirees starting in 2022. In 2022, $10,000 of military retirement income is exempt. In 2023, this amount increases to $20,000 and to $30,000 in 2024.

New York: Retiree pay is tax-free

North Carolina: Retiree pay is tax-free as of 2021.

North Dakota: Retiree pay is tax-free

Ohio: Retiree pay is tax-free

Oklahoma: In 2022, a state Senate press release shared that military retirement income would be fully tax free. Prior to 2022, the greater of 75% of retirement pay or $10,000 was tax exempt.

Oregon: Any military service before October 1, 1991 may be able to deduct a portion of retirement pay. Any military retirement for service after that is taxed normally.

Pennsylvania: Retiree pay is tax-free

Rhode Island: Retiree pay is tax-free as of 2022.

South Carolina: As of May 13, the South Carolina Governor signed H. 3247 into law while made military retiree pay 100% exempt from state income tax. Prior to this change in 2022, those under the age of 65 can deduct up to $17,000 of retirement pay while those 65 and older can deduct up to $30,000 when income outside of military retirement was earned.

South Dakota: There is no state income tax in South Dakota.

Tennessee: There is no state income tax in Tennessee, there is tax on interest and dividends.

Texas: There is no state income tax for the state of Texas.

Utah: Retiree pay is tax-free as of 2021.

Vermont: As of 2022, up to $10,000 of military retiree income was tax free for those with gross income less than $50,000 for single filers or $65,000 for joint filers.

Virginia: As of 2022, up to $10,000 military retiree pay is tax free for those 55 and over. In 2023, this amount will increase to $20,000. In 2024, the amount will increase to $30,000. In 2025, the amount will increase to a final amount of $40,000.

Washington State: There is no state income tax for the state of Washington.

West Virginia: Retiree pay is tax-free

Wisconsin: Retiree pay is tax-free

Wyoming: There is no state income tax for the state of Wyoming.

The increase in housing costs is felt the United States-wide. Military families that have crisscrossed the country have navigated a uniquely highly priced rental market, especially in areas where more affordable military housing is unavailable due to being at full capacity. The choice for many families was to find smaller housing than needed their families or meant a longer commute to the military members’ jobs. One military family shared they moved their family of 6 into a two-bedroom apartment under 1000 sq feet. The military family member shared that the apartment was within $100 of their BAH but still over their BAH amount. For many military families, it felt like the military leadership of the DOD was unaware of the financial burden felt by families. The Secretary of the Department of Defense released a press release that included a temporary BAH increase for 28 military areas.

• 28 areas include:
  • Vandenberg AFB, California
  • 29 Palms MCS, California
  • Dover AFB/Rehoboth, Delaware
  • Patrick AFB, Florida
  • Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Orlando, Florida
  • West Palm Beach, Florida
  • Volusia County, Florida
  • Fort Myers Beach, Florida
  • Kings Bay/Brunswick, Georgia
  • Maui County, Hawaii
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Cape Cod/Plymouth, Massachusetts
  • Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
  • Brunswick, Maine
  • Coast Maine
  • Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
  • Helena, Montana
  • Wilmington, North Carlina
  • Northern New Jersey
  • Newport, Rhode Island
  • Providence, Rhode Island
  • Beaufort/Parris Island, South Carolina
  • Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Houston, Texas
  • Quantico/Woodbridge, Virginia

The BAH increase will go into effect in October 2022. It does not state if it will be in October 1, 2022, or October 15, 2022 paycheck. The areas chosen based on these areas experiencing “an average of more than 20 percent spike in rental housing costs this year above this year’s BAH rates,” per the press release.

Check for the amount through this link here and select “2022 Increased rates.” Like all BAH rates, there is a difference between with and without dependents.

This temporary increase will be in effect from October 1, 2022, through 2022. The 2023 BAH rates have not been released. The thinking is that the prices will stay the same, but there is no guarantee. The 2023 BAH rates have traditionally been released in November of the year prior. Look for an update on BAH rates here!

It is a well-known fact that military spouses suffer from underemployment and unemployment. Finding a portable job feels like a search for a Unicorn. There are three employers on military bases where military spouses may be able to find the unicorn job.

Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)

The military service branches have MWR offices at most post locations. These offices are funded by non-appropriated funds, meaning they are not tied to or pending Congressional budgets. The funds for employment are made by the facility’s funds themselves. MWR locations include movie theaters, daycares, on-base restaurants, and bowling alleys. When you go to an event or participate in these activities, those funds go directly to an employee there. Knowing the challenges of the military lifestyle, there are often flexible and regular positions available.

MWR positions are posted on usajobs.gov. You can search specifically by military installation. Positions specifically on Air Forces bases are posted at nafjobs.org.

Specifically for military spouses who move frequently, there are two hiring incentives – spouse preference and reinstatement.

The job posting will indicate if a spouse can receive preferential hiring. If the spouse preference is used, proof of marriage through a marriage certificate, orders, and a copy of the ID card will need to be sent along with the job application. Spouse preference and application for positions can be sent up to 30 days in advance of the report date.

Reinstatement occurs when a spouse that previously held an MWR position at one military installation applies for another job at the next military post. This does not happen automatically. The military spouse needs to submit an application to the new location, and their name is kept on a referral list. If a job of the same pay grade or below opens, they may receive a call about an open position.

Community Services

Marine Corps Community Services, Air Forces’ Force Support Squadron, and Army Community Service are resources for families in their new military post. Job positions within the community services are similar to MWR – ranging from bowling alleys, movie theaters, and restaurants to the military stores on post.  Like MWR, there is a military spouse preference program. If the position has the spouse preference, the spouse can select it and send in the required paperwork with the application.

Job postings are military installation specific. For example, if living near MCAS Miramar, you could search “MCCS Miramar job postings” for the specific job board for Marine Corps Community Services on MCAS Miramar. Always check your bases’ social media pages for job fairs, sometimes they offer interviews on the spot.

U.S. Government/Department of Defense (DOD)

The military needs a large support system. There are many positions and jobs for civilians to help and support the military mission.  There is a Military spouse preference (MSP) program which is a specific federal hiring authority that was created with the goal of lessening career interruption for military spouses and allow spouses to noncompetitively be considered for federal employment.

The jobs are posted on usajobs.gov and will list if MSP can be utilized. This is not the same as veteran preference. For more specific information on the program or on applying for a position, contact the local Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Office. Use your favorite search engine to look up the nearest one. If there are several bases near you, look for the biggest base and enter that in the search bar with the term “Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Office.”

With Government Service (GS) positions, an employee may be able to transfer to a position of similar grade. The employee must have passed the probationary period of 52 weeks prior to applying for a transfer. There are some positions that are restricted to veterans only, so if you are looking at open positions at the next duty station, make sure there isn’t a veteran-only preference unless that specification applies to you.

Military spouses continue to face challenges on the employment front. There are three on-base resources available that may provide spouse preference. Check out your base MWR, Community Services or even DOD positions.

Write Everything Down

This can take some work, potentially, but it will be worth it. Grab a notebook that you can carry with you every day so you will have easy access to it. If you really don’t know where the money goes at the end of the pay period, write it all down. This includes a coffee at the drive-through and any vending machine used. Write everything down every day. Do this for two weeks, adding up the totals at the end of every day. Compare with any other family members in your home, make sure to add the total. It is usually pretty clear when you add the numbers up what you have been spending it on.

If you do this for a couple of weeks a couple of times of a year, it is a great check on the pulse of your budget. You can easily make changes or twinges to what costs you need to change when you are aware of them.

This also helps you determine the needs versus the wants in your life. While the wants are nice to have, it isn’t something you need to spend money on.

Get a Budget Analysis

Military families can attend budget classes through the service branch-specific Community Services or Relief Societies. These budget classes come in two forms – one in a group setting and a one-on-one budget review. A group budgeting class reviews the budgeting principle for a group. This means you can go with your partner or take turns attending to review the basics. In the individual budget analysis, you sit down with someone trained in reviewing budgets to build a budget. They assess the spending and provide guidance on where to trim if you want to or where you may need reassessments.

Grocery Delivery

Wait, don’t scroll this one by. Grocery delivery is a great way to stay on budget. You are able to scroll through coupons and deals specifically to spend money on the best budget deals. You also aren’t pulled into easy grabbing or colorful packaging. Within the grocery delivery order, you can select the coupons or a sale tab to really stick to a budget. Make it a game and stick to a certain amount of money for that trip.

This also saves you from shopping while hungry. The key is to have a snack before sitting down to the grocery shopping online.

Coupons

You don’t have to be a super saver to use coupons. Check out websites for your favorite stores, or just search coupons in your favorite search engine. Once on the coupon section, you can specifically browse for your favorite brands. Clip those coupons and then use them. Don’t let them expire. Think of it as money – because that is what it is.

Money Saving Applications

If you really don’t want to coupon clip, digital coupons are common and accessible. Check your store for digital coupons to add to your rewards card. There are many coupon applications as well that requires you to scan the item and then submit your receipt. These applications usually can be combined with digital and paper coupons as well, so this can save you some extra money, especially if there are multiple coupons on your favorite brands.

Get Everyone Involved

If you are in a family or couple, make sure to involve everyone in the budget plan. If everyone isn’t on board, you will not be able to stick to the budget. Plan ahead with a meeting of everyone’s spending, and build the budget plan together. Discuss writing everything down and a weekly grocery budget. Setting out expectations for the budget will make it a smoother process overall and lead to more progress.

 What’s your top budget tip?

If you or your military-connected family member are pursuing a degree or could use funds for certifications, this list is for you.

National Military Family Association – Year Round – Spouses

The organization supports military family members in various ways, and one of them is through scholarships for military spouses. If you are a spouse to a post-9/11 service member and hold a valid military ID, you are eligible to apply to their scholarship program. The program pays for degrees, professional licensures, supervised clinical hours, continuing education courses, and business expenses.  Applications are taken year-round with quarterly awards.

Pat Tillman Foundation – Opens February 2023 – Spouses

The Foundation has a scholarship program open to spouses of active-duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses. The $10,000 scholarship covers academic expenses, including tuition, fees, and books. Applications are open annually in the winter months, with the next application opening in February 2023.

Fisher House Foundation – Opens September 2022- Spouses and Children

The Fisher House Foundation offers multiple scholarships. The Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship is a college scholarship for children of service members who became seriously injured or died in the line of duty since 9/11. Military Spouses can apply for and receive funds for degrees, certifications, licensures, clinical hours, expenses, and more. The Scholarships for Military Children is a program through the Defense Commissary Agency providing $2,000 for college expenses.

Thanks USA – Opens March 15, 2023 – Spouses and Children

The ThanksUSA program offers scholarships to military spouses and children for use in their first-time undergraduate degree at an accredited 2 or 4-year university or trade school.

Hope For Warriors – Fall and Spring Application – Spouses and Children

The program offers several scholarships. There are scholarships for those pursuing graduate work, associates, bachelors or Master of Social Work. There is also a scholarship for Gold Star Spouses.

MyCAA Scholarship – Spouses of Service Members E1-E5, W1-W2, O1-O2

My CAA – or My Career Advancement- is a scholarship specifically for spouses to provide assistance for licenses, certifications, national tests, or associate degrees to pursue their desired careers.

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society – Annually – Spouses and Children of Sailors and Marines

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Program offers grants for children and spouses of active duty, retired or deceased Sailors and Marines. The grants are for undergraduate or master’s degrees at accredited 2 or 4- year post-secondary, technical or vocational institutions.

Air Force Aid Society – Annually – Spouses and Children of Air Force Service Members

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) offers ten merit scholarships a year to dependent children and spouses of retired and active-duty Airmen. To apply for an AFAS merit scholarship, completion of the Arnold Education Grant application is required.

Army Emergency Relief – Annually – Spouses and Children of the Army Service Members

There are two scholarship programs from the Army Emergency Relief. The Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program is an annual scholarship for Army spouses pursuing undergraduate degrees or professional certifications. For Army children pursuing an undergraduate degree can apply for the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) – Annually – Spouses of Coast Guardsmen

CGMA clients can apply for the programs if they are enrolled in college in pursuit of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, vocational program or seeking a correspondence course.

Spouse Clubs

Don’t forget to check the spouse clubs on your current or recent military bases. There are often scholarship programs for spouses and/or children of service members. Check with the local club for eligibility requirements and deadlines.

This summer, top leaders of the US Army met for the “Solution Summit.” The group meeting met to discuss the future of the Army, and how to retain the best the Army has to offer. One such policy discussion was on the idea of performance-based retention incentives. The idea behind the discussion was to show belief in those hard-working individuals within the Army. The policy will continue to be a topic of discussion among military leaders throughout the year.

Other ideas that were discussed and will be moved forward for further research are a service-wide mentorship program, peer feedback, the end of alcohol restrictions in the barracks, non-chargeable leave after re-enlistments, added GI Bill benefits, and participation bonuses. These ideas will need to be researched by the Army, Department of Defense, and potentially Congress, depending on the policy discussion.

Performance-based incentives are a new idea, and there is not information on the proposal to know how it will be implemented. The goal will be to manage both the pay grade and the job, and to retain those positions needed in both categories. According to a 2020 RAND Report, there was previously a performance-based program from 1958 to 1976 which was “unpopular” and “singling out extra pay was unpleasant for defense managers.” The report further reports that the reward for performance was through faster promotion and pay would be reflected through the time-in-grade pay table.

There is currently a bonus program for enlisted soldiers. The program is based on the job, rank and skills needed to perform their job, but does not take performance into account.  The possibility of the policy being tried on a specific MOS will also be reviewed.

For the moment, it is not known when the performance specific reviewed would be reviewed or determined by, but the discussions will continue monthly through virtual meetings for the Army’s leaders. Time will tell what the ultimate determination will be.

Transitioning from military service? Hiring Our Heroes organization has several programs for those transitioning. Transitioning service members are those active duty service members who plan to transition out of the military within 180 days. The Fellowships through Hiring Our Heroes can be used for SkillBridge. There are four programs through Hiring Our Heroes.

• Corporate Fellowship Program
• Salesforce Fellowship Program
• Career Forward Fellowship Program
• Career Forward Training Track

Corporate Fellowship Program

This program offers professional development training and hands-on experience. Participating organizations have developed relationships with Hiring Our Heroes to provide their insight to participants in the program. Those enrolled in the program are matched with a host company that best fits the candidates’ needs and goals. Then on-the-job training provides knowledge as well as networking opportunities and classes. There are three cohorts a year, with rolling applications.

Salesforce Fellowship Program

The Salesforce Fellowship Program is a partnership between Hiring Our Heroes and Salesforce providing their 12-week program of experience to allow for a transition to a Salesforce career. Like the other Fellowship Program, the host company is matched for the fellowship candidate based on skills and preferences. The Salesforce organization provides training, classes, and certification exams. There are three cohorts a year, with rolling applications.

Career Forward Fellowship Program and Training Track

The Career Forward program is a new program specifically made to train in Google Career Certificates. The certificate fields have in-demand jobs, making it ideal for those transitioning out of military service. Those enrolled in the Google Career Certificate program enroll in a certificate of choice. The certificates are in data analytics, IT support, project management, or user experience design. The programs are self-paced, and can usually be completed part-time in a period of three to six months. The program comes with the support of Hiring Our Heroes staff and others enrolled in the program. The network is invaluable, especially alongside the certificate program. At the end of the program, the Hiring Our Heroes program aids with resume writing, job searching, and interview preparation.  The entire program is virtual and can be completed when living overseas, if returning to the states within one year.

Life outside the military can feel foreign, especially for those who have had a career within the military spanning decades. Hiring Our Heroes recognizes this and has tools to provide a transition into a career of interest.

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the retirement savings and investment plan offered to federal employees and military service members. TSP is a contribution plan that uses income earned each pay period and invested into the account. A new service provider is taking over as part of the announcement that the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) would make a mutual fund available to TSP participants. 

As part of this transition, there are a few key dates to know.

May 16: Last day to access all forms, online tools or upload forms to TSP

– Last day to complete rollover or transfer request

– Last day to complete loan agreements

– Last day to complete withdrawal requests

May 16 to the first week of June: Expected transition dates from one service provider to the other

May 26: Last day to make investment changes

– Last day to reamortize (change the term and payment amount) the loan

– Last day to make profile changes or access online tools within your account – this is expected to occur throughout the day

May 26 to the first week of June: All transactions will be temporarily unavailable

First week of June: Full access is expected to be restored, and all transactions will be available

All contributions will continue as previously designated during the service provider change over. Any payroll contributions will continue as scheduled during the changeover, even if access is suspended.

When accounts reopen in June, there is expected to be a TSP mobile app in addition to online access.

After the update is complete, all users will need to update their login information upon accessing the new system for the first time. There will be prompts for identification verification in addition to updating contact information while signing into the account.

As part of the upgrade and change, it is expected that sometime in 2022 mutual funds option will be available for investment on the website.

Any specific TSP questions can be directed to the TSP phone number – 1-877-968-3778 from 7 am to 9 pm EST, Monday through Friday.

Retiring from the military is not just a job change. The military life is just that – a lifestyle. It comes with a long list of acronyms one must know and understand to PCS (and that’s just one acronym), it requires patience and understanding through work-ups, deployments, long training. Because of the unique challenges of military life, it also creates a community of those who understand and live it. When you leave the military, you are potentially leaving behind the community you know and understand.

After 20+ years of traveling the country, and perhaps the world, it is now time to choose where to live. When you haven’t chosen a job or location for two decades, it can be an overwhelming choice. One factor for many military families looking to make the decision on where to retire is a financial one. Many states do not charge income tax on military retirement pay, but some limit the amount of pay that is tax-free. Get to know the options when weighing your military retirement move.

Alabama: Retiree pay is tax-free

Alaska: There is no state income tax for the state of Alaska, so retiree pay is tax-free!

Arizona: Retiree pay is tax-free after the 2021 bill was passed.

Arkansas: Retiree pay is tax-free

California: Following federal rules, California does not currently offer tax exceptions on military retiree pay.

Colorado: Retiree pay under the age of 55 can exclude up to $10,000 income from their taxable income, those age 55064 can exclude up to $20,000, and those age 65 and up can exclude $24,000 of income

Connecticut: Retiree pay is tax-free

Delaware: Up to $2,000 of military retirement is excluded for those under age 60 and $12,500 for those 60 and older

District of Columbia: Following federal rules, DC does not currently offer tax exemptions on military retiree pay.

Florida: There is no state income tax for Florida, so retiree pay is tax free.

Georgia: Retirees who are over 62 or permanently disabled may be eligible for an exclusion of retiree pay.

Hawaii: Retiree pay is tax-free

Idaho: Retiree pay is tax-free for those over age 65, and over 62 for disabled retirees.

Illinois: Retiree pay is tax-free

Indiana: Retiree pay is tax-free as of 2022.

Iowa: Retiree pay is tax-free

Kansas: Retiree pay is tax-free

Kentucky: Up to $31,110 is tax-free.

Louisiana: Retiree pay is tax-free

Maine: Retiree pay is tax-free

Maryland: The first $5,000 is tax-free and once age 55 or older $15,000 is tax-free.

Massachusetts: Retiree pay is tax-free

Michigan: Retiree pay is tax-free

Minnesota: Retiree pay is tax-free

Mississippi: Retiree pay is tax-free

Missouri: Retiree pay is tax-free

Montana: Following federal rules, Montana does not currently offer tax exemption on military retiree pay. Additionally, up to $4370 is tax-free if the adjusted gross income is below $36,420 and the amount tax-free decreases for funds above this.

Nebraska: As of 2022, all military retirement is tax-free.

Nevada: There is no state income tax in Nevada.

New Hampshire: There is no state income tax in New Hampshire, there is tax on interest and dividends.

New Jersey: Retiree pay is tax-free. Honorably discharged veterans qualify for a one-time $6,000 tax deduction in the year after discharge.

New Mexico: Following federal rules, does not offer tax exemption currently.

New York: Retiree pay is tax-free

North Carolina: Retiree pay is tax-free as of 2021.

North Dakota: Retiree pay is tax-free

Ohio: Retiree pay is tax-free

Oklahoma: The greater of 75% of retirement pay or $10,000 is tax exempt.

Oregon: Any military service before October 1, 1991 may be able to deduct a portion of retirement pay. Any military retirement for service after that is taxed normally.

Pennsylvania: Retiree pay is tax-free

Rhode Island: Retiree pay is tax-free

South Carolina: Those under the age of 65 can deduct up to $17,000 of retirement pay while those 65 and older can deduct up to $30,000. However, there must be other income outside of military retirement to qualify for this.

South Dakota: There is no state income tax in South Dakota.

Tennessee: There is no state income tax in Tennessee, there is tax on interest and dividends.

Texas: There is no state income tax for the state of Texas.

Utah: Retiree pay is tax-free as of 2021.

Vermont: Retiree pay is taxed based on federal rules.

Virginia: Retiree pay is taxed based on federal rules.

Washington State: There is no state income tax for the state of Washington.

West Virginia: Retiree pay is tax-free

Wisconsin: Retiree pay is tax-free

Wyoming: There is no state income tax for the state of Wyoming.

While taxes aren’t the only thing that is a deciding factor for military families retiring, it certainly is part of the equation for long-term financial stability. Where are you looking at retiring after the military?

While nursery decorating and clothes shopping may be more enjoyable tasks for first-time parents, there are many other aspects of child-rearing that need to be discussed as a family prior to welcoming a new family member into the home. Financial readiness is probably the biggest building block.

Budget

The immediate expenses like diapers, wipes, burp cloths, and clothes make sense, but what about planning for child care costs or schooling? Making a budget even without including children is not an easy task. Check out your Family and Fleet Services or Community Services to see if they offer a budgeting class. Being prepared for the usual costs can prepare you for the unusual. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society offers a Budget for Baby class that reviews not just budgeting in general, including helping your family to make a personalized budget for all expenses, and cover what expenses and what amounts to expect for Marine Corps and Navy families.

Medical

With TRICARE coverage, the labor, delivery, and any newborn screenings or treatments like circumcision and immunizations are covered. There may be a copay for certain hospitals or based on the TRICARE coverage plan you have, but these are typically very clear in regards to what to expect in regards to cost. For the last several years, TRICARE has also begun to cover breast pumps and all required supplies.  This means tubing, bottles, bottle caps, and storage bags are even covered. If you need a converter to use a breast pump overseas, that is covered. One breast pump is covered per birth.

If you received a referral to an in-network provider for breastfeeding counseling, the provider can bill TRICARE for services. Even non-network providers can submit for coverage. Starting January 1, 2022, TRICARE covers breastfeeding counseling from lactation consultants and counselors as part of the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD) program that will run until December 31, 2026 at this time. The CBSD program will begin in overseas locations beginning January 1, 2025. No referrals are needed for services unless in TRICARE Prime and a referral is needed from the primary care provider. In fact, under the new program, non-medical support doulas will also be covered for those enrolled in the TRICARE Prime and Select programs.

Don’t forget the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line can also provide medical assistance via phone 24/7.

Wills and Power of Attorneys

Planning ahead with power of attorneys is a familiar dilemma for military families. When children are added to the military family, you also need to consider care plans for children. Head to the legal assistance office on your installation, and get wills completed and notarized without legal fees. If you have more complex family concerns, they can also refer you to a legal team that may provide legal advice for a discounted rate.

On Base Programming

Programming through your bases’ Family and Fleet Services or Community Services like New Parent Support programs can also help you navigate the world of child-rearing through free programming. Some groups offer visiting nurses without incurring a cost to help navigate feeding or diapering questions. If your local military installation has a USO, check to see if they are hosting a USO Baby Shower – these events offer parental advice books and workshops, and some people even get goodies that can help offset the cost in the short term.

Adding a family member to your family takes planning beyond the short-term, and there are many ways to get ahead financially thanks to these military resources. Is there a resource you have used on your base? Let us know!