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14 articles in Financial Planning
Expert guides covering VA disability claims, C&P exam preparation, military-to-civilian career transitions, retirement planning, state veteran benefits, and more. Written for active duty service members, reservists, and retirees navigating life after the military. Browse by category or search for topics specific to your transition.
Military Transition Toolkit publishes in-depth guides across 39 categories to help active duty service members, reservists, and retirees navigate every aspect of military transition. Each article is written with practical, actionable advice you can use immediately — whether you are 12 months from separation or already building your civilian career.
Explore our Financial Planning articles for veteran-focused guidance and transition resources. Our content is updated regularly and covers topics from VA disability claims and compensation to career planning, financial readiness, and state-by-state veteran benefits.
Looking for something specific? Browse our other categories or use the resources page for curated links to official VA, DoD, and veteran service organization websites. All tools and content on Military Transition Toolkit are free — no account required for public resources.
Start with our most popular tools: the VA combined rating calculator, retirement pay calculator, 50-state benefits comparison, and military resume builder. Each tool is designed specifically for the unique challenges of military-to-civilian transition.
Top articles in this category:
Military life creates unique financial emergencies — PCS costs, deployment disruptions, gap periods at separation. Here's how to size and store your emergency fund for military-specific needs.
If you've been targeted by a predatory lender or had your MLA rights violated, here's exactly how to file complaints and what happens after you do.
Before taking a payday loan, military members have better options. Here's a ranked list of alternatives from best to worst, with specific programs and contacts.
A $300 payday loan can cost you $500 or more. Here's the exact math on payday loan costs, why the APR matters more than the fee, and what military members actually pay.
TAP's Transition Spending Plan teaches you to compare military total compensation to civilian gross salary in apples-to-apples terms. Worksheet, math, and decisions.
TAP recommends 13 months of essential expenses in cash savings before separation. Why the number is 13 (not 6 or 12), what 'essential' means, and how to build the buffer.
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SCRA protections expire on a schedule after separation: 30 days for some, 90 days for others, 1 year for many leases and mortgages. Use them before they're gone.
Regular Military Compensation (RMC) is base pay + BAH + BAS + tax advantages. Comparing to a civilian gross salary requires grossing up for healthcare, commissary, BAS equivalent, and tax differences.
Credit repair scammers target veterans and transitioning service members. Here's how to spot them, what they promise that's illegal, and how to fix credit the legitimate way.
Vehicle title loans can strip military members of their transportation — and their ability to report to duty. Here's why title loans are particularly risky and what the MLA covers.
Rent-to-own stores near military installations charge effective APRs of 100-300%. Here's how the math works and why these contracts are almost never worth it.
VA loan scams cost veterans tens of thousands of dollars. Here's how common VA mortgage scams work, the warning signs, and how to protect yourself.
The Military Lending Act caps interest on many loans to active duty service members at 36% MAPR. Here's what's covered, what's not, and how to enforce your rights.
Veterans and service members are disproportionately targeted by predatory financial products. Here's how to identify predatory lenders, what protections you have, and where to report violations.