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16 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 41 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.
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Taking terminal leave and selling leave back are taxed very differently. How each is treated, why sell-back is base pay only, and the combat-zone rule that lets you cash out leave tax-free.
Your last military paycheck isn't guaranteed to be fast. You usually get ~80% within days, the rest in 30-45 days, but an audit or any debt on your account can push it past 120 days. Plan accordingly.
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.
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TAP recommends 13 months of essential expenses in cash savings before separation. Here's why the number is 13 (not 6 or 12), what 'essential' means, and how to build the buffer.
Regular Military Compensation (RMC) is base pay + BAH + BAS + tax advantages. Comparing it to a civilian gross salary requires grossing up for healthcare, commissary, BAS equivalent, and tax differences.
SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) 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.
TAP's Transition Spending Plan teaches you to compare military total compensation (base, BAH, BAS, tax advantages) to civilian gross salary in apples-to-apples terms. Worksheet, math, and decisions.
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 cost military families vehicles, credit, and thousands of dollars annually. Here's how they work, what the law says, and what to use instead.
Rent-to-own stores cluster near military bases because the contracts are profitable and largely unregulated. Here's what you're actually paying and better alternatives.
Veterans are specifically targeted by mortgage scammers. Learn how to spot VA loan fraud, net tangible benefit scams, and illegal fee schemes before they cost you.
The MLA caps interest at 36% MAPR for active duty members and their dependents. Here's what it covers, what it doesn't, and how to enforce it.
Predatory lenders specifically target service members and veterans. Learn the tactics they use, the laws that protect you, and what to do instead.