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RETIREMENT
Under the military's new retirement plan, Marines will have retirement benefits beginning after 2 years of service.
Through the Blended Retirement System and VA Benefits, Marines are better positioned than ever to leave the service with tremendous financial security.
All Marines joining after January 1, 2018 will automatically be enrolled to submit 3% of their base pay to the TSP.
The Marines will begin contributing 1% on the service member's 60th day of service.
After 2 years, the Marine Corps will match up to 5% of a service member's contribution. For example, if you put in $250, the Marine will put in $250. This is a great investment opportunity for Marines.
Marines can put up to $19,500 into TSP annually (or up to $57,000 if serving in a Combat Zone).
The TSP has a variety of options to invest in, both in Roth and Traditional accounts.
We explain the best ways to maximize these contributions and become a millionaire in our Marine Millionaires guide.
To learn more about the TSP, click here.
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Marines can retire after 20 years of service. They will be eligible to receive a pension from their retirement date until their final days.
The benefit will extend to the Marine's spouse upon their passing.
Pensions are calculated based on the number of years a Marine serves and their highest rank for their final 36 months in uniform (referred to as "High 36").
Marines earn 2% towards their pension for every year of service. After 20 years, Marines will receive 40% of their High 36. After 25 years, Marines are eligible for 50% of their High 36, and so on.
The High 36 considers the final 36 months of a Marine's service.
For example, consider a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) who promotes to Master Sergeant (E-8) at 18 years in service and retires at 20 years of service. This Marine would have 12 months at E-7 and 24 months at E-8. These pay amounts would be averaged, and the retiree would receive 40% of that amount monthly.
Lump Sum Option
Marines may also request this as a lump-sum amount at retirement. We recommend against this - large amounts of cash are lost due to taxes and a lack of opportunities to exercise protected investment options.
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Retirees have options to utilize healthcare options through the Department of Veterans Affairs and Tricare.
Options include:
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Tricare Prime, a managed care option available in some areas of the United States
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Tricare Select, fee-for-service plan available throughout the United States
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US Family Health Plan, an additional TRICARE option through networks of community-based, non-profit health care systems
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Tricare-for-Life, a Medicare-wraparound coverage
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Tricare Select Overseas, for Retirees outside the United States
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VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will review any claims for disability you make and determine whether they were service connected. They will assign you a disability rating (percentage disability) and you will receive a monthly payment as a result.
In addition to receiving disability pay, the VA will provide treatment and medical care for any service-connected conditions.
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