Welcome to August!
We have been hard at work behind the scenes getting our ducks in a row after getting officially certified as an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) Nonprofit this past June.
First, we're excited to welcome 3 new directors to our board!
Kirk Windmueller
A well decorated veteran having served over 20 years in the Army Special Forces community and has passion for helping transitioning service members.
Eduardo Aguilar
A Prior-Enlisted security forces member, USAFA grad, and currently an AD Air Force officer with a passion for sharing FIRE (Financially Independent Retire Early) & rewards point hacking to service members.
Patricia McFarland
A food science technical writer and Navy spouse eager to help fellow spouses optimize their benefits
Second, we have attained state/national approval to raise funds and have thus kicked off our Firestarter Campaign with a goal of $2,000. By reaching the goal we can cover all of our basic operating expenses and kick-start our Donation Fund with $200 to give to a military family in financial need at the end of the year.
Third, we published our second BLUF Mil Benefits video breaking down the DoD SkillBridge program that helps transitioning service members work for a private company within the last 180 days of service time. I had the privilege to interview recently separated Capt Catherine Ferraro in how she utilized program to go from a Space Officer to a Yoga Executive.
Our Facebook Community Group was granted first early access and can be found here:
Otherwise be on the look out next week for the public release!
- The following is a recap of our popular posts in July -
SECDEF signed an Exemption to Authorized Leave Memo
More TSP Lifecycle Funds
View Your Benefits as Vested Investments
Pre/Post Birth Checklist
(1) SECDEF Exemption to Authorized Leave Memo
As of 29 June - SECDEF signed an Exemption to Authorized Leave memo authorizing DoD Service Members leave outside their local area with approval from their unit commander
** Note as of 29 June you will still need a waiver to travel to California, Florida, or Michigan as they are still ‘red’.
(2) More TSP Lifecycle Funds
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) program added more Lifecycle (L) Fund accounts to better reflect your retirement date.
There are now 10 funds broken up into 5 year increments from 2025-2065 + the L Income fund for those with matured accounts
Each fund is made up of the combination of the five individual TSP funds (G, F, C, S, and I) that maintains an optimal balance of investment risks and rewards for a particular time horizon. More time = more risk to maximize reward. Closer to retirement = a more conservative fund mix.
All new members after Sept 2015 were defaulted with 3% contribution and into an L fund. 2010-2015 the default was 3% in the G find. Before 2010 the default was 1%.
As of April 2020. All new members will default with 5% contribution into an L fund.
Read more here: https://www.tsp.gov/InvestmentFunds/FundOptions/index.html
(3) View Your Benefits as Vested Investments
Have you ever intentionally turned down or not applied for a military benefit?
Great article from Jim, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Captain, now a Veteran Service Officer that accounts his experience and thoughts with many veterans that feel they “don’t deserve it.”
Though not all service members experience miserable conditions, horrible working conditions, or personal combat action, they were ready for anything, to be called into combat
See your time in service as an investment in this country and the benefits offered during and after service is your investment vesting
”The government, the Veterans Administration owes you this. They owe you your life.”
Read the article here: https://www.thedailyworld.com/opinion/veterans-have-earned-the-benefits-available-to-them/?fbclid=IwAR1bUN8EibYRnFYZyu7NOYh4U_G-Oixw3h5X3Kr0Fab3kB2hfHcEcDIZBIU
(4) Pre/Post Birth Checklist
In July my family welcomed new baby Olivia. A military family has a lot to juggle Pre and Post new baby and we found an excellent resource created from our friend at the Military Working Mom that we were very excited to share!
You can find the checklist here: https://themilitaryworkingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Military-Pre-Post-Birth-Checklist_2020.pdf
Wishing you and your family all the best as we continue to get through this pandemic!
Jeff Mitchell
CEO, BLUF Military Benefits
jefferson.mitchell@blufmilitarybenefits.com