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Military, Reserves & Federal Employment

There are three components to military retirement: a defined benefit pension, Social Security benefits, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Military members can contribute up to $19,500 per year to the TSP if under age 50, and up to $26,000 per year if over age 50. Sullivan Financial knows that many people, especially military members, have a tendency to overvalue lump sum investments and underestimate the value of a defined benefit pension. It is our belief that many service members make poor decisions regarding their retirement and survivor benefit elections by not understanding the true value of their defined benefit pensions. Our advisors are contrarians and believe in electing full survivor benefits at retirement. We encourage both active duty and retired military to schedule a complimentary consultation. Special planning needs include: 

  • Survivor benefit planning - lower cost than FERS and CSRS and paid up after 30 years and attaining age 70 
  • Second career planning: private or federal 
  • SGLI converts to VGLI 
  • VA mortgages 
  • VA disability benefits 
  • Roth TSP and TSP exempt contributions (combat zone) 
  • Roth IRAs