Free Military Transition Checklist
Your Military Transition.
Financially Ready.
A comprehensive checklist to prepare your finances before, during, and after military service. Track your progress, learn what matters, and transition with confidence.
Progress saved automatically • No sign-up required • Built for service members
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Why Military Financial Planning Matters
Transitioning from military to civilian life is one of the biggest financial shifts you'll ever make.
Income Changes
Your paycheck structure changes completely—no more BAH, BAS, or guaranteed raises. Planning ahead prevents income shock.
Benefits Transition
TRICARE, commissary access, and other benefits end or change. Understanding timing prevents costly coverage gaps.
TSP Decisions
What you do with your TSP can cost or save you tens of thousands. Know your options before you separate.
VA Benefits
Disability ratings, GI Bill, and VA home loans can add hundreds of thousands in lifetime value if used strategically.
Healthcare Costs
Civilian healthcare can cost $10,000-25,000/year for a family. Plan your TRICARE transition carefully.
Financial Security
Veterans who plan their transition have higher employment rates and faster wealth building in civilian life.
Your Financial Transition Timeline
When to tackle each financial priority during your military transition.
Pre-Separation
6+ months out
- •Start VA disability claim (BDD program)
- •Calculate your transition savings number
- •Research TSP options
- •Understand your GI Bill benefits
- •Review SCRA protections expiration
During Transition
0-6 months
- •Build emergency fund to target
- •Secure health insurance coverage
- •Plan terminal leave strategy
- •Update all financial accounts
- •Research VA home loan options
Post-Service
First year
- •Optimize taxes with VA income
- •Consolidate investment accounts
- •Update all beneficiaries
- •Track net worth monthly
- •Leverage state veteran benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start my military financial transition planning?
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.
Should I keep my TSP or roll it over after leaving the military?
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.
How does VA disability affect my finances?
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.
What happens to my TRICARE coverage after separation?
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.
How much money should I save before leaving the military?
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.
Is this military transition checklist really free?
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 14 days.
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