Free Military Transition Checklist
A comprehensive checklist to prepare your finances before, during, and after military service. Track your progress, learn what matters, and transition with confidence.
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The first year after service is financially critical. Nova connects your TSP, bank accounts, and investments to track your net worth in real-time. Watch your wealth grow as you build your civilian career.
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Transitioning from military to civilian life is one of the biggest financial shifts you'll ever make.
Your paycheck structure changes completely—no more BAH, BAS, or guaranteed raises. Planning ahead prevents income shock.
TRICARE, commissary access, and other benefits end or change. Understanding timing prevents costly coverage gaps.
What you do with your TSP can cost or save you tens of thousands. Know your options before you separate.
Disability ratings, GI Bill, and VA home loans can add hundreds of thousands in lifetime value if used strategically.
Civilian healthcare can cost $10,000-25,000/year for a family. Plan your TRICARE transition carefully.
Veterans who plan their transition have higher employment rates and faster wealth building in civilian life.
When to tackle each financial priority during your military transition.
6+ months out
0-6 months
First year
Start at least 6-12 months before your ETS or retirement date. This gives you time to build savings, start your VA disability claim through the BDD program (which opens at 180 days), research health insurance options, and job search without financial pressure. The earlier you start, the smoother your transition will be. Many service members who wait until the last minute face unnecessary financial stress.
The TSP has some of the lowest expense ratios in the industry (around 0.04%), so keeping it is often a smart choice. You can't make new contributions after separation (unless you become a federal employee or reservist), but your money continues to grow. Rolling into an IRA gives you more investment options but watch out for higher fees. Never cash out—you'll pay income tax plus a 10% penalty if under 59½, potentially losing 30-40% of your balance.
VA disability compensation is completely tax-free, making it incredibly valuable. A 30% disability rating could mean $500+/month tax-free for life. Higher ratings provide more income plus additional benefits like property tax exemptions in some states. The rating also affects access to VA healthcare, education benefits, and other programs. File your claim through the BDD program 180 days before separation to minimize delays.
Standard TRICARE coverage ends 180 days after separation for most service members. Options include: TRICARE Reserve Select (if joining Reserves/Guard), VA healthcare (if eligible based on disability or income), employer insurance (often the best option), COBRA continuation (expensive, typically $500-1,500/month for gap coverage), or Marketplace/ACA plans (may qualify for subsidies). Don't go uninsured—medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy.
Most financial advisors recommend having 6-12 months of living expenses saved before separating. This "transition fund" covers job search time, income gaps, and unexpected costs. Calculate your monthly civilian expenses (typically higher than active duty due to housing, insurance, and other costs) and multiply by 6-12. Additionally, maintain a separate emergency fund of 3-6 months expenses for post-service financial security.
Yes! This military financial readiness checklist is completely free—no signup required. Your progress is saved locally in your browser. We built this tool because financial transition is one of the biggest challenges service members face, and everyone deserves access to good planning resources. If you want to track your net worth and investments automatically after transition, you can try Nova free for 30 days.
You served your country. Now let Nova help you build the financial future you deserve. Connect your accounts, track your net worth automatically, and get AI-powered insights to grow your wealth. Free for 30 days.
No credit card required • 30-day free trial • Cancel anytime