Tag: Spouse

Benefits: Credit Card Benefits for US Military & Spouses

There are many bonuses and perks offered by credit card issuers to active duty military members. Some credit cards for active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines waive annual fees, cap interest rates, and/or offer money back for purchases up to a certain amount.

You may find some credit card companies offer these on a case-by-case basis or by request only, while others may advertise these perks as an ongoing feature of their credit programs. But did you know that in addition to programs a credit issuer may voluntarily offer, there are federally-mandated perks that all credit card companies must offer a service member on active duty when requested?

American Express Benefits for Military

American Express takes the SCRA protections a step further by waiving their annual fees for military personnel and their spouses. The Blue Cash Preferred card has a $95 annual fee and the Gold Card has a $250 annual fee. However, since the annual fees are waived you might as well take advantage of the great perks that the American Express Platinum Card offers. Such as access to hundreds of airport lounges and Uber, airline, hotel and TSA Precheck credits. Plus, get a 60,000-point bonus when you spend $5,000 on your card in the first three months.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) And Credit Card Interest Rates

The SCRA mandates a 6% interest rate cap on loans you took out before starting active duty. This cap is described at the United States Department Of Justice official site as a limit to the amount of interest charged on “certain financial obligations that were incurred prior to military service.” This limit is “no more than six percent per year, including most fees.”

The caveat is that the cap is not automatic, must be applied for with the credit agency, and must be applied for with all credit card companies you wish to claim your SCRA rights with. You will be required to provide a copy of military orders and a formal notice in writing.

There is also a time limit on these notices-you have until 180 days after the end of military service to file the notice. The U.S. Department of Justice notes that when you file your notice, the creditor is required to fully forgive, rather than defer until later, the amount of interest greater than six percent per year.

The interest rate must be forgiven retroactively, and the credit card company is not allowed to engage in any practice that results in “…accelerating the payment of principal in response to a properly made request for a six percent interest rate cap.”

What You Should Know About Military Credit Card Benefits

Viewed from a certain perspective, a great deal of the American economy involves two kinds payments; those that are known up front, and those that are part of what some call “gotcha” tactics.

A gotcha tactic can be anything from a sudden increase in your interest rate due to one or more missed or late payments that is applied as per the agreement you make with the creditor – often this increase potential is spelled out in detail only in the fine print of the agreement, which some people choose not to read closely.

But “gotcha” tactics also work in the other direction – you may be eligible for discounts, lower rates, cash back on purchases, and other perks, but these will not be applied automatically and are generally not advertised. You have to ask for the perks, but before you can do so you have to know to ask for them.

Military credit card benefits are not standardized. You may be required to be on active duty for a minimum amount of time (30 days is one standard), and you will be required to furnish proof of service and possibly evidence that your military service commitment is for a minimum time or that you are about to re-enlist.

Some of these requirements will vary from lender to lender, except where the SCRA laws apply.

Some credit card companies are more generous than others with their military benefits, and some credit card companies have a reputation for liberally interpreting your SCRA rights, offering more than the law requires when such rights are claimed. American Express is one company that has earned a positive reputation in this area.

Remember, you will generally be required to request or sign up for these credit card perks, they are not automatic.

Credit Card Benefits For Military Members You Should Ask For When Signing Up For A New Credit Card Account

Here is a list of perks that are offered by many credit card companies to their military customers – if you are not currently enjoying some or all of these perks, it’s a very good idea to call your credit card company to request the following, especially when opening a new account:

  • No over-limit credit limit fees
  • No annual fee for military members
  • Cash back incentives for military members
  • Cash back programs specifically for military-related expenses such as moving, uniforms, etc.
  • No overseas transaction credit card fees for military members
  • Incentives for electronic payments or automatic electronic payment transfers
  • Waived or reduced credit card cash advance fees for military members
  • Lower APR interest rates for military members
  • Any special perks or incentives for deployed service members or families of deployed service members
  • Special “reserve cards” for military members and/or family members
  • No penalty APR interest rate adjustments for late payments

Which Credit Card Companies Offer The Best Military Credit Card Perks, Bonuses, And Incentives?

Opinions may vary, but one of the best things military members and their families can do to get military-oriented credit card benefits is to apply for credit cards from a military or military friendly company such as USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union, or the company currently servicing your government official travel charge card.

There are other credit card companies that have historically offered perks and military credit card benefits, including Chase Bank, Bank of America, American Express, and Capital One.

Of these, Capital One is rated by third-party websites as being less of an advantage than the others, but Capital One credit cards have waived both annual fees and overseas charge fees for active duty military members. It’s always best to call to inquire about the most current military-friendly credit programs available.

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Military

All Chase personal credit cards are offered with no annual fees for active duty military servicemembers and their spouses. The top two choices are the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve cards. The main difference is that the Preferred offers 10,000 more sign up bonus points while the Reserve offers a recurring $300 annual travel credit.

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $450 annual fee (and $75 authorized user fee) completely waived for US military and spouses
  • $300 annual travel credit (Uber, taxi, airfare, hotel, train, car rental, etc)
  • 3x points on travel and dining worldwide
  • Redeem points with a 50% bonus when booking travel through the Chase
  • Automatic travel insurance on trips purchased with the card including trip cancellation, delay, interruption, lost baggage, and auto rental collision
  • $100 Global Entry sign up fee reimbursed every 4 years
  • 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4000 in the first 3 months of opening account

Important Advice About Signing Up For New Credit Cards

  • Not all credit is billed the same; the interest rate and terms of repayment on a credit card cash advance may be different-and higher-than for ordinary purchase transactions. Know what you are agreeing to before you use the features of your credit account that result in cash back to you from the credit card company.
  • Be sure to ask how much advance notification the credit issuer requires before you leave active duty.
  • When signing up for a new credit card, be sure to check the application to see if there is an option to choose your source of income. If so, always select “military” or “government” as your income source where available. This may go a long way toward helping you claim your military credit benefits from the very start.
  • Check to see if your existing or new credit card provider offers a special hotline for military customers.
  • Know the terms and conditions-what perks apply to your account while serving on active duty, and which will continue if you retire or separate from military service? Ask these important questions before they become a real-world issue.
  • Read the fine print on all your credit card accounts. Know under what circumstances you will be charged added fees, fines, penalties, etc. even as a military customer. Don’t assume that you will be exempt from late charges, interest rate increases, or other actions based on late or missed payments, going over your account limits, etc. When you sign the legally binding agreement for your credit account, you will be subject to the rules you agree to. Know before you sign.

What is ‘The Survivor Benefit Plan’?

When a military retiree dies their retirement pay stops. This means that the surviving spouse will be left without a substantial income source. If you are a retiree you need to give serious thought to how you can protect your spouse from the hardships caused by the loss of your retirement pay.

One option available to you is the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). The SBP is an insurance plan that will pay your surviving spouse a monthly payment (annuity) to help make up for the loss of your retirement income. The plan is designed to protect your survivors against the risks of:

  • Inflation
  • Your early death
  • Your survivor outliving the benefits

How SBP Works

At retirement, full basic SBP for spouse and children will take effect automatically if you make no other valid election. You can’t reduce or decline the SBP without your spouse’s written consent. This means you will have to have your spouses input in the decision and their signature is required.

You may choose coverage for a former spouse, children, or you may be able to cover an “insurable interest” (such as, a business partner or parent).

If you elect to participate in the SBP you pay a monthly premium. The premium is based on how much SBP coverage you select.

Your SBP coverage can be any amount from full coverage down to as little as $300 a month. If you elect higher SBP payments on your death your monthly payments while you are alive will be higher.

The highest your SBP can be is 55 percent of your retirement pay.

There are several categories of beneficiaries that you can have the SBP for. The categories are:

Child Only

This option pays the SBP only to your children regardless of whether you are married or not. Your children will get the SBP until they turn 18 or age 22 if a full-time, unmarried student.

Children mentally or physically incapable of self-support remain eligible, while unmarried, for as long as the incapacitation exists.

Spouse Only

The surviving spouse be a widow or widower who was married to you when you enrolled. If you marry later, you can add your spouse, but they must be married to you for at least one year prior to your death to get any benefits.

Spouse (or Former Spouse) and Child

You can also elect to cover your children under this category of coverage. This coverage pays to your spouse while they are alive. If they die before you it will pay to your children after your death.

Disabled Dependent

You can also contribute your SBP payments to a Special Needs Trust (SNT) to allow a disabled dependent to continue receiving federal disability payments.

A SNT is a trust designated for beneficiaries who are disabled, either physically or mentally. It is written so the beneficiary can enjoy the use of property that is held in the trust for his or her benefit, while at the same time allowing the beneficiary to receive essential needs-based government benefits. Talk to a financial advisor for more information.

Former Spouse

If you have a former spouse when signing up for the SBP you can elect coverage for them.

If you have more than one former spouse, you can only choose one. If you add a former spouse, your current spouse doesn’t get anything.

Person with a Natural Insurable Interest

If you don’t have a spouse or kids you can elect SBP coverage for a person with a natura insurable interest in the member. This usually includes business partners.

The Department of Defense defines a natural insurable interest as “a natural person with an insurable interest who has a reasonable and lawful expectation of financial benefit from the continued life of the participating member, or any individual having a reasonable and lawful basis, founded upon the relation of parties to each other, either financial or of blood or affinity, to expect some benefit or advantage from the continuance of the life of the retired member.” If the election is for a person who is more nearly related than a cousin, no proof of financial expectation is required.

Again, talk to a financial advisor.

Inflation Protection

Like your retirement pay the SBP annuity is protected from inflation. Each year when retired pay gets a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) so does the SBP.

Remember, since the SBP coverage amount goes up with COLA, your premiums will go up too.

Military Spouses: Can They Get Veterans Disability Compensation?

Surviving military spouses can sometimes receive veterans disability compensation. This benefit is called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and it is paid on a monthly basis. DIC is available to a surviving military spouse (a widow or widower) and his or her dependent children. In some cases, a dependent parent may also be eligible for DIC.

You are eligible for DIC if VA considers you a surviving spouse (see below), and your military spouse died either:

  • while receiving VA disability compensation for at least:
    • 10 or more years, right up until he or she died.
    • from the time of discharge for at least five years up until she or he died, or
    • for at least one year, if your spouse had been a prisoner of war.
  • while on active duty
  • as a result of a service-connected injury or illness, or
  • while on active duty for training or inactive duty training

How Does VA Define “Surviving Spouse”?

The VA will recognize you as a surviving spouse if one of the following is true.

  • You were married to the veteran before January 1, 1957.
  • You were married to the veteran for at least a year.
  • You were married for any length of time and your spouse died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
  • You had a child with the veteran, and
    • you were living with the veteran until his or her death, or
    • you were separated, and the separation was not your fault.
  • You married the veteran within 15 years of his or her discharge from service, and the injury or illness that caused the veteran’s death started in military service, or was made worse by service.

How Much Money Will I Receive?  

 Currently DIC pays $1,154 per month. If you have any children under age 18, your monthly benefit will be increased by $286 for each child. If you are housebound or need help to perform basic tasks of daily living, you will receive additional monthly benefits. To determine how much your monthly benefit might be, see the  VA benefit amounts for DIC.

If you receive benefits for your children under age 18, you will generally only receive this additional benefit for two years. Or the additional benefit for your children may stop earlier if your children reach age 18 before two years have passed.

However, if you have a disabled child, the child will remain eligible for DIC even after they reach age 18 or two years have passed.

What if I Have Remarried?

It depends on when you got remarried.

If you remarried before reaching age 57 or before December 16, 2003, the VA will not consider you a surviving spouse, even if you meet the above requirements.

If you remarried after you were age 57, and after December 16, 2003, the VA will consider you a surviving spouse.

Other Benefits

There are other survivor benefits that you and your children may be eligible for in addition to DIC, such as educational assistance, health care,and assistance with certain burial costs.

VA Pension

If you are not eligible for Disability and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), the VA may find that you are eligible for a  VA Pension. VA Pensions do pay less than DIC and are needs-based, but if your spouse’s death wasn’t service connected and your spouse wasn’t receiving disability compensation at the time of death, it’s your only alternative. If you are on a limited income and your military spouse served during wartime, you may be eligible to receive a VA Pension.

Being a Military Spouse: Going Back to School

As a military spouse, furthering your education can benefit your family in many ways.  Financially, it can certainly boost your earning power and help widen your career opportunities.  On a personal level, acquiring a higher education can translate to a feeling of accomplishment that allows you to feel confident about investing in yourself, your career, and your future.  The following tips provide a great starting point for military spouses who wish to go back to college.

1.   Choose the right College for You

There are variety of factors to consider based on individual circumstances and career goals.  Research and speak to at least a few colleges in order to compare.  By speaking to several colleges, they will often times present valuable points you might not have already considered.  Create a pros and cons list of each and then decide.

2.    Think about your overall career and personal goals.

Choose to focus on something that interests you both personally and professionally. Aim for a career that puts you at a desirable pay level, offers a decent work-life balance, and gives you overall satisfaction in your endeavors.

3.    Be flexible.

You may need to adjust your career goals based on cost, job availability, deployment or relocation of your spouse, and an overall ability of your family to function if you choose to pursue any form of college.  Make sure that you are realistic with your goals and adapt them to ensure the health and stability of your finances and your family.

4.    Consider hidden costs.

In addition to tuition costs, going back to school necessitates transportation, book, and childcare expenses.  If you currently have a job, you will also need to factor in the lost income when you make your decision to go back to school. Basically, you need to make sure that going back to school is financially feasible.

5.   Contemplate different courses of study.

Depending on your chosen field, you need to explore the various means for acquiring the necessary skills to enter into your desired profession.  You may need professional license, certification, associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree.  These vary greatly in both time and cost, so it’s necessary to weigh these considerations with what is recommended to acquire the best jobs in your field.

6.  Make sure the timing is right

Juggling a family and work while taking on the additional responsibility of going back to school can be overwhelming.  Consider how much bandwidth you have to attend class and study.

7.    Look into distance learning programs.

Military families face frequent re-locations, often making it difficult to complete local education programs.  Distance learning programs provide flexibility that can be hugely beneficial to the unpredictable nature of being a military spouse.

8.   Appeal Transfer Credits

If you have college credits from a previous school and get denied credit at your current school, be sure to challenge.  Most schools have a process for a challenge and your advisor or counselor should be able to assist.  Typically, more information is requested such as a course description or syllabus.  Challenges are often successful upon offering additional information for those hard-earned grades you earned in previous classes.  If most of your credits are not accepted another option is to look at other schools that are more closely aligned in curriculum or accreditation and possibly have transfer agreements in place e.g., junior colleges with local universities.

9.    Utilize resources for financial assistance.
There are a variety of programs that can help to offset the cost of going back to school for military spouses.  Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) is a program for military spouses that can cover up to $4000 worth of costs for military spouses seeking an associate degree, license, or credential.  Many state colleges and universities offer non-resident active-duty service members and their families in-state tuition rates regardless of the duration of residence. There are also many scholarship programs that provide various methods of financial aid, as well as low-interest federal loans.  Each branch of the military also offers financial assistance to spouses who reside in the United States while their service members are stationed overseas.

10.    Research the job market in your chosen field.

Are there readily available opportunities in this particular field?  Furthermore, are there specific areas of the country where this profession is not as lucrative? If there are limited job opportunities, it might not be worth the time and money to obtain a degree or certification if there is the possibility that it will not result in a successful career.  If this is the case, you may want to consider opportunities in related fields and use your original goal to navigate a new, more promising career path.

Being a Military Spouse: Top Benefits

Military spouses face many challenges, so it’s nice to have benefits to balance the scale.  Spouses can find many advantages ranging from educational benefits to employment opportunities.  Many programs are provided automatically upon entrance to military service or marriage to a service member.  Listed below are 5 top benefits not provided automatically, but available to military spouses to utilize.

1.  Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Program:

With military spouse unemployment remaining high, any advantage that can assist in securing a desired position is helpful. Under the MSP, military spouses are given preferential employment placement in vacant Department of Defense (DoD) civilian positions. These vacancies may fall under either civil service or Appropriated/Non-Appropriates Funds. Please contact you local Civilian Personnel Office (CPO) or Human Resources Office (HRO) for current vacancies.

2.  Patriot Express:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has established this small business loan program for veterans and spouses. Its purpose is to assist with the initial costs in establishing a small business, or costs related to expanding a small business.  Low interest rates are assigned to the loans, typically ranging from 2.25%-4.75%.  The SBA guarantees up to 85% of the total loan, with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

3.  Family Service Members’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI):

Military spouses are eligible to receive up to $100,000 in life insurance coverage. Military members can elect to enroll their family members in this program for coverage of $10,000 to $100,000.  Spouse and dependent coverage may not exceed the coverage held by the service member, and children are restricted to $10,000. Contact your Military Personnel Office for enrollment information.

4.  Transferred GI Bill® Benefits:

Education benefits can be transferred from service members to their spouses and children.  Once the military member has reached the required time in service, he or she may elect to assign a portion or all of their GI Bill benefits to a family member. Benefits may be used while the military member is still serving in the Armed Forces.  Spouses are able to use the benefits for up to 15 years after the military member separates from the Armed Forces, and children may use the benefits until they reach 26 years of age. Children may also be eligible for additional benefits, such as monthly housing allowances. Your installation’s Education Office and the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) office can provide additional details.

5.  Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA):

One of the most advantageous programs offered to military spouses is the MyCAA Scholarship.  This program offers up to $4,000 in financial assistance to military spouses who are pursuing any of the following offered by an institute aligned with the MyCAA Program:

  • A License
  • A Certification
  • An Associates Degree

Spouses of active duty, guard, and reserve members holding the ranks of E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2 are eligible, and must be able to begin and complete their program while the military member is on Title 10 military orders.

New Military Spouse 101

Joining the military community can be a daunting and foreign experience for individuals unfamiliar with the military life. You are not alone – and you certainly don’t have to navigate this strange new world on your own either. For new military families, the military jargon, customs and courtesies, high OPTEMPO (“operational tempo”), and the myriad of bureaucratic organizations to deal with can be incredibly overwhelming. Never be afraid to ask questions. There are so many experienced families who can guide and support you along the way. Here is some helpful advice that I routinely share with new members of our military community.

  • Familiarize yourself with your respective service’s customs and courtesies, as well as personal etiquette: There is nothing more embarrassing than committing a social faux pas at a military event, be it a formal, semi-formal, or casual event. No one ever wants to go down in unit history as that person. Ensure that you also dress appropriately for unit functions – when in doubt, ask an experienced spouse or the leadership for clearer guidance on attire. (Most event invitations will specify the dress code.) If you’re invited to a small function, a Thank You letter to the host/hostess will go a long way.

 

  • Understand the Leave and Earning Statement (LES): Upon first glance, the LES can be highly confusing with all of its acronyms. Learning how to decipher what everything means will ensure you can track pay allowances, benefits, debts, and allocated leave days. Consistent monitoring of the monthly LES can prevent pay issues. For official guidance on understanding the LES, go to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) site.

 

  • Use your family support group: Each service has its own support group with different names, but they all serve the same purpose in providing information, guidance, access to military post resources, and camaraderie. Their functions are most prominent during times of deployment and extended training when your service member is away from home, but they also serve the same purpose in a garrison environment. The Army has its Family Readiness Groups; Navy has its Ombudsman volunteer and Family Readiness Groups; Air Force has the Key Spouse Program; Marine Corps has the Family Readiness Program; and the Coast Guard has the Work-Life Program. Get to know the other senior spouses – they are a wealth of knowledge and experience and can guide you through the often baffling military system. Check with your readiness groups and on-post facilities to see if they offer introductory classes for new spouses. There are often courses both in a classroom or online that you can participate in to familiarize yourself with ranks, military jargon, military benefits and resources, and deployment preparation.

 

  • Ask questions in the absence of information: The most damaging thing that can harm a unit and its families is misinformation. In the absence of real information, never succumb to rumors and never make assumptions. If something sounds off or if you lack clarity, ask your Family Readiness Group Leader or the Chain of Command (if they have provided their contact information for that very purpose). Always go to an individual or representative who is authorized or has direct access to get the real information. Circulating or purely going off information within a rumor mill is counterproductive to the efforts of readiness groups and units which have the best intentions for the families under their care.

 

  • USAJOBS.GOV: Moving from post to post every couple of years can mean your own career sometimes takes a backseat. At USAJOBS  you can find federal jobs around your current duty station, as it is an incredible resource to becoming a federal employee. The Military Spouse Appointing Authority (Executive Order 13473) gives agencies the authority to hire military spouses without competition, but it doesn’t entitle spouses to a hiring opportunity over all other applicants. For more information, read “Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses and Family Members.”

 

  • Memorize your sponsor’s (service member’s) Social Security Number (SSN) and birthday: Commit this information to memory, as all Tricare benefits and any other official military services will always need the sponsor’s information before services are rendered. Just ensure you give this information out judiciously to legitimate organizations and trusted sources to prevent identity theft.

 

  • “Nothing is EVER set in stone!”: This is a motto that I live and swear by from my experience as both a Soldier and as a spouse. This motto has made my life infinitely easier when I know and accept ahead of time that dates and situations will always change because the military works in time frames, not set days, making life unpredictablefor military families.  Having worked on operational level staffs, I’ve seen the hard work and planning that our service members’ leaders conduct on a daily basis. I’ve also seen the immense frustration when all the in-depth planning is nixed or drastically altered, requiring immediate attention in addressing the latest issue or timeline change at hand. There’s always someone higher up in the food chain with the authority to alter any given plan. In a perfect world, everything would be predictable and on a set schedule. However, as a new spouse, get used to arrivals, departures, training events, and even vacation leave moving either right or left on your calendar. The same goes for abrupt requirements that will require your service member to have to drop everything and disappear at a moment’s notice for a tasking or for a last-minute change in duties.

As a whole, welcome to the military community! It’s a fantastic adventure that your family will never forget. A grateful nation thanks you for your commitment and sacrifices. Get ready to meet amazing people, see different places, and HAVE FUN!

10 Military Discounts for Spouses

Military discounts are all around us. Some offer better deals than others. Some are advertised. Some are little known secrets that are revealed only when requested. Some expire, some are seasonal, and some last forever. And while there are some military discounts that are custom-made for service members, there are some that are perfect for military spouses.

Here’s a list of 10 military discounts that spouses love:

1. Clothing and accessories

Clothes, shoes, accessories. We need them. But putting together a wardrobe sure is expensive. That’s why military spouses love the discounts offered at stores like Kohl’s, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Vera Bradley, Columbia, Buckle, Rack Room Shoes and many more. Some stores offer discounts both in-store and online while others may not, so it’s best to call or check the website for details.

2. Disney

Have you always wanted to take your family on vacation at Disney World but tossed the idea aside because you thought you couldn’t afford it? Well, with a military ID, you can afford it. Through Disney’s Armed Forces Salute program, military personnel can get discounted tickets to Disney theme parks, as well as discounts off select rooms at Disney Resort hotels. These deals are good for military spouses of eligible service members even without the member being present. (Visit our guide to Disney discounts for military families to learn more.)

3. Amusement Parks

Who doesn’t love taking a family vacation to LEGOLAND or Universal Studios or Colonial Williamsburg? Amusement parks are a fun way for military families to spend time together, whether on vacation, celebrating a homecoming, or heading out for a random day trip.

Do you have an amusement park in your area? Make sure you call ahead, check their website, or visit your local ITT office to ask about military discounts. (And visit our list of popular amusement parks that offer discounts to military families.)

4. BuildASign.com

Deployments are a regular part of military life. And that means homecomings are a regular part too. Ready to celebrate the end of a deployment with a memorable homecoming? BuildASign offers free homecoming banners to welcome your special service member home.

5. Home Depot/Lowes

Owning a house is hard work. There’s always something that needs to be done, whether it’s the grass that needs mowing or pictures that need hanging or appliances that spontaneously break. Then, once you think you finally have a handle on all those home improvement projects, it’s time to PCS and start all over with a different house.

That’s why spouses love the 10% year-round military discounts offered at both Home Depot and Lowes. If your house needs it, Home Depot and Lowes will have it.

6. Restaurants

Whether you and your significant other are heading out for date night, or the deployment is leaving you in need of a night off from cooking, going out to eat is even more enjoyable when you’re not paying full price for that yummy meal.

From Ryan’s to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. to the Melting Pot, lots of restaurants offer military discounts. Keep in mind that even though some chain restaurants may offer a military appreciation night or a discount in one location, it doesn’t mean all of them do.

7. Crafts

Maybe you want to try to make that awesome Pinterest project people keep talking about. Maybe the kiddos have school projects due soon. Or maybe you want to put together a care package for a deployed loved one. Spouses can head over to Jo-Ann Fabric, Michaels and A.C. Moore for discounts on just about any crafting needs you can think of.

8. Movie theaters

Is it a rainy day and the kids are bored? Take them to the movies. Do you finally get to have a date night and you need something to do after dinner? Go to the movies. But don’t forget your military ID because many movie theaters, like Cinemark and Regal offer military discounts on tickets.

9. Local discounts

National brands and chains aren’t the only businesses that offer military discounts. Local businesses also like to show their support for the military by providing discounts, especially in cities with a large military presence. Don’t know what businesses in your area offer military discounts? Your best bet is just to ask, “Do you have a military discount?” It never hurts to ask, and you might end up pleasantly surprised with a great deal.

10. Cruises

Cruises are another way to enjoy family vacation time. And thanks to military discounts offered by cruise lines like MSC Cruises and Disney Cruise Line, it’s more affordable than you think.

Are There Any Military Spouse Retirement Benefits?

Military retirement often marks the end of a long road.

As a military spouse, you’ve put in months of waiting on your service member to come home from long trainings or deployment, all while holding down your home and taking care of your family. You’ve battled career challenges for yourself, planning disasters, cross-country moves and everything Murphy’s Law could throw at you.

But other than the long-sought break from the challenges of military life, what’s in military retirement for you? Although your service member is who put on the uniform every day, military retirement isn’t without perks for military spouses or ways that you can still benefit from the community.

And while all of the benefits available to you are by virtue of your spouse’s service, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take full advantage of them.

Military Spouse Retirement Benefits

Health and dental care. After military retirement, you are eligible to continue using Tricare, the military’s health care system. If you are near a base, you may even still be able to be seen in the military treatment facility or hospital if that is your wish. You can also sign-up for a dental plan for military retirees.

Commissary and shopping privileges. Now that you’re not a part of the active-duty military anymore, you might find that your living expenses go up. But as the spouse of a military retiree, you still have access to the military commissary and exchange systems. Although just how much you save at those stores over civilian markets is an often-debated topic, everyone agrees there is some benefit to shopping at them.

Military lodging and recreation. As a military retiree, you still have access to the military lodging and recreation systems. Although there are some rules restricting who can stay in military lodges overseas, most allow military retirees. Maybe now is the time to take that girls’ or guys’ vacation you’ve been dreaming about for the last 10 years.

GI Bill and education benefits. If your service member transferred the Post-9/11 GI Bill to you while he or she was still on active duty, you can use it to go back to school. Through it, you will receive a monthly housing allowance, an annual books stipend and, depending on where you are going to school, all of your tuition costs and fees covered. The GI Bill must be transferred while the service member is on active duty for this to be available.

If you don’t have the GI Bill and your service member has died, you might be eligible for Survivor and Dependents Educational Assistance.

Survivor Benefit Plan. If your service member chooses to set up the Survivor Benefit Plan, an insurance policy, at the time of his retirement, you will have access to that money after he or she dies.

VA benefits after your service member’s death. Although a service member’s pension checks end with his or her death, you may have access to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and the Veteran’s Death Pension.

Military Spouse Employment 101

Military Spouse Employment Manual

Holding down a job while your spouse is in the military is easier than you might think. While the military often throws a monkey wrench into best-laid plans, your career doesn’t have to be one of them.

Military spouses have successful careers in all types of industries. Want to be a writer? A teacher? An entrepreneur? Maybe a surgical nurse? Do you dream of running an organization?

Military spouses are making a go of their dream jobs across a wide range of fields. You can too, by following these critical steps.

Step 1: Use Everyone You Know

Military spouses are primed to do one business activity better than just about anyone else: network. And networking is how you’re going to find, get and keep a job as a military spouse.

And when you PCS, it’ll be how you do it again.

Networking by any other name is just being friendly, and you do that with every move already.

Learn how to leverage those skills for a job.

First, you’ll need how to learn how to turn that stranger you’ve just met into a career connection. Then, you’ll need to learn how to move from a simple connection to something more — to actually sit down and talk or, in business parlance, “take a meeting.”

You’ll also need to figure out how to do all of this online so that you can get a head start on making connections at your new duty station before you even PCS.

For some spouses, this is easy. For others, it’s more difficult. If you’re working in a very narrow, specific field, you might find networking in your industry from inside the confines of the military community to be even harder, but we’ve even got a plan for that.

Step 2: Look for the Right Job

Many spouses tell us that they feel like they have to take jobs of “last resort.” Jobs that will hire anyone, that won’t care that they’re a military spouse, and will never ask more of them than they can do in a regular eight-hour shift. Jobs that won’t grow them. That won’t help them build a career. That won’t help them fulfill their own dreams.

You don’t have to do that.

Many spouses participate in preferential hiring programs, which can help you find a job at your installation, in a company or with the government, and get a leg up over other candidates.

Many other military spouses work remotely or launch their own businesses. Whatever path you choose, starting your career, returning to work or expanding your professional experiences all start with a very smart search. Luckily for you, there are plenty of resources for military spouses to help you find the right job.

Step 3: Use Your Resources

This one is key. Military life presents challenges at every turn. But it also throws out lots of career resources. Looking to craft your resume to best showcase your potential? Start here. Trying to write a resume even when you don’t have much experience?

For even more help, head to your local installation. All military branches have resources to help you launch your job search and get your job-hunting ducks in order. Find our rundowns for your branch here: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.

Step 4: Take Advice from Someone Who Has Done It

No matter what you do or want to do, nothing is as helpful as listening to the advice of other military spouses who have been there, done that. By listening to their stories and experiences, you’ll be able to see how their actions can be replicated or used in your own job search.

Military Spouse and Family Benefits

The military can be a difficult lifestyle for a family, but it does come with some excellent benefits. Some of those are in the form of cash, and some are in the form of discounts. In addition to the bi-monthly paycheck, military service members receive benefits like money for housing, subsidized groceries and healthcare.

Don’t know exactly how to get your military spouse and family benefits or want to know more about what they are? Read on.

First, make sure you can access your benefits.

To receive any military benefits, military family members must be registered in the military’s personnel system, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and receive a military ID card. To do that you need to be the service member’s spouse or child.

Certain other family members can also receive ID cards in some circumstances.

Military Pay

Every military service member receives at least a base pay. Most also receive a variety of allowances, special pays and bonuses depending on things like deployment, paygrade and military job. For most married service members, those allowances include Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

Guard and Reserve pay work a little differently.

If you’re confused about what your service member is currently getting paid, you can view his or her Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). The LES can look confusing and complicated, but we’ve got a simple tutorial to walk you through it.

Military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is given to every active-duty service member as part of their bi-weekly pay. How much you receive is usually based on where your service member is stationed. Even if you choose to live somewhere other than his duty station while he is home or deployed, you will still receive BAH based on duty station, not your residence.

In some cases, your service member may be stationed somewhere you cannot go — called a “hardship duty assignment.” If that happens, you may be able to receive BAH based on wherever you choose to live instead of where he is stationed.

BAH is meant to cover 97 percent of your housing costs, minus renters insurance. The BAH rates are recalculated every year. If the rates go down where you are living, you will be grandfathered into the older, higher rate. If the rates go up where you are living, you’ll receive the new, higher amount.

Military Shopping Benefits

Known as “non-monetary compensation,” military shopping benefits help military families save money on the things they want or need.

Most bases worldwide are home to a military commissary operated by a government organization called the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). Commissaries can often help military families save money on grocery items, since stores are required by law to sell items at cost. Check out this commissary 101 for more information on commissary shopping.

Most bases are also home to a department store called an exchange, as well as gas stations, liquor stores and fast food. On Army and Air Force bases, all of those places are run by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). On Marine Corps bases, they are run by the Marine Corps Exchange (MEX), and on Navy bases, they are run by the Navy Exchange (NEX). All of those companies operate independently of the military but use a percentage of their revenue to fund other military family programs. Most items purchased in the exchanges are tax exempt, making those stores great places to buy big-ticket items like electronics and furniture.

Military Childcare

Most military bases have a variety of full-time or hourly daycare centers. The costs of these are based on a family’s total income, not just the service member’s paygrade. Waiting lists at these centers can be long, so the military also allows families to use subsidized in-home daycares that have been officially approved. If you don’t live near a base or there are no on-base daycare center spots available, the military will also subsidize the cost of care at certain off-base, civilian daycares that have become a part of their network.

Military Recreation Benefits

Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is a major part of base life — and a part of your benefits. The programs MWR funds and manages on base are often much more affordable than their off-base counterparts because the government subsidizes their costs.

MWR manages most recreation on every base, including gyms, pools, bowling alleys, horse stables, event centers, golf courses, discounted equipment rentals and more. Many bases also have available youth programs operated through MWR like dance classes, sports teams and clubs. Since most of these services are specific to each base, you should contact your local MWR office to learn what is available.

MWR operates several resorts in vacation destinations around the world. And the individual services’ MWR programs operate recreation areas stateside in places like Virginia Beach, Virginia; Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and Pacific Beach, Washington. The best way to find out what is currently available from that program is to contact your base MWR office.

Military Spouse and Family Healthcare

Active-duty military families — regardless of which branch of service their spouse serves in — receive benefits through the military’s healthcare, which is called Tricare. While Tricare is technically not an insurance company, it often operates a lot like one, helping military families receive healthcare and pay medical bills.

There are two kinds of Tricare that active-duty families, medically retired families and families of activated guardsmen and reservists can use: Tricare Select (previously known as Tricare Standard) and Tricare Prime.

If you are a non-activated guard or reserve family, you can still use Tricare under the programs designed specifically for you.

Military retiree families can also receive Tricare.

Dental insurance is provided to military families through United Concordia.