Advertise on podcast: The Military Wallet Podcast with Ryan Guina

Looking for Veterans Day free meals, discounts, and events in 2026? We've rounded up more than 100 Veterans Day offers to help veterans, military retirees, active-duty service members, and military families save money and celebrate Veterans Day! In this video, we cover Veterans Day restaurant freebies, retail discounts, special events, and attractions. We'll also introduce The Military Wallet's NEW interactive military discounts map, making it easier to find military discounts and Veterans Day offers near you! VETERANS DAY 2026 DEALS & RESOURCES Veterans Day Free Meals & Restaurant DiscountsFind restaurants offering free meals, discounted food, and other Veterans Day specials:https://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/ Veterans Day Retail DiscountsFind Veterans Day discounts at retailers, stores, and other businesses:https://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-retail-discounts/ Veterans Day EventsFind Veterans Day parades, ceremonies, community events, and other ways to celebrate and honor those who served:https://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-events/ NEW: Interactive Military Discounts MapFind military discounts and offers near you! Download The Military Wallet AppStay informed about military benefits, personal finance, and resources for the military community.iOS - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-military-wallet/id6749191783Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.themilitarywallet.app ------ 00:00 Introduction01:07 Proof of Military Service May Be Required01:43 Please Tip Your Server!02:00 Over 100 Veterans Day Offers02:37 New Interactive Military Discounts Map!05:06 Retail Discounts, Events, & Attractions05:37 The New Military Wallet App ------ A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS - Some Veterans Day offers require proof of military service. Bring a valid military ID, VA health identification card, Veteran ID Card, or other accepted documentation.- Offers, participating locations, and eligibility requirements vary by business. Always verify the details before visiting.- If you're enjoying a free meal, please remember to tip your server based on the full value of the meal! ABOUT THE MILITARY WALLET The Military Wallet helps military members, veterans, and their families make the most of their money and military benefits. We provide unbiased information, guides, and resources covering military pay, benefits, retirement, insurance, investing, and more. Subscribe for more military finance, benefits, and veteran-focused content! #VeteransDay #VeteransDayDeals #MilitaryDiscounts

BEYOND THE UNIFORM Finding Purpose. Continuing Service. Building Community. As part of The Military Wallet Podcast's special three-part Veterans Day series, we're sharing stories of veterans who have found new purpose, built meaningful connections, and continued making a difference after military service. For Marine Corps veterans Ralph and Carrie Roeger, that next chapter eventually led to Rally Point Grille, a veteran-owned restaurant in Georgia that's become much more than a place to share a meal. What began as a way to celebrate their military roots has grown into a community gathering place where veterans, military families, and civilians can connect, share their stories, and find a sense of belonging. On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina talks with Ralph and Carrie about their transition from military to civilian life, the importance of finding your tribe after service, and how they built a business centered on giving back. They share powerful stories of veterans whose lives have been changed through connections made at their restaurant, including two Vietnam veterans reunited after 50 years and a young Marine struggling to find his purpose after leaving the service. They also discuss expanding their mission through entrepreneurship and offer advice for veterans navigating their own transitions. Their experiences are a reminder that finding your next mission doesn't always happen immediately, and sometimes the greatest impact comes from creating opportunities for others to find theirs. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about military benefits, financial readiness, and life during and after military service. What helped you find a sense of community after leaving the military? Share your experience in the comments. Your story could help another veteran find their tribe. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Connect with Rally Point Grille: Website: https://rallypointgrille.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPGWoodstock/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semperfibar15/ ------ 00:00 Introduction 03:06 Life After the Marine Corps 04:28 Finding Your Tribe After Military Service 09:15 How Rally Point Grille Began 12:56 Building a Community for All Veterans 16:48 More Than a Restaurant 20:30 Stories of Connection and Community 28:16 Adjusting to Civilian Life 32:17 Helping a Vietnam Veteran Find His Way Home 37:25 Expanding the Mission Through Entrepreneurship 42:24 Advice for Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life ------ #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #VeteranCommunity

BEYOND THE UNIFORM Finding Purpose. Continuing Service. Building Community. As part of The Military Wallet Podcast's special three-part Veterans Day series, we're sharing stories of veterans who have found new purpose, built meaningful connections, and continued making a difference after military service. For Army veteran Tom Stratton, coming home from Iraq was only the beginning of another difficult journey. After serving during the 9/11 era and completing two tours in Iraq, Tom faced financial hardship, an uncertain living situation, and the challenges of adjusting to civilian life. Years later, he found a new sense of purpose by connecting with fellow veterans and giving back to his community. On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina talks with Tom about his military experiences, the struggles he faced after returning home, and how getting involved with veteran organizations helped him discover a new mission. Now chairman of the Cherokee County Veterans Committee in Georgia, Tom shares how volunteering, building relationships, and supporting other veterans have become important parts of his life. Together, they explore the challenges of transitioning from combat to civilian life, the importance of finding a supportive community, and the many ways veterans can continue serving long after taking off the uniform. Tom also discusses his involvement with organizations such as Shepherd's Men and the MilVet community, and why finding something you're passionate about can be the first step toward making a meaningful difference. Military service may end, but the mission to serve others doesn't have to. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about military life, veteran benefits, and finding purpose beyond military service. Have you found a new way to serve or give back since leaving the military? Share your experience in the comments. Your story could inspire another veteran searching for their next mission. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Watch Tom's episode of the RealTOC Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8kpYHJl4T8 ------ 00:00 Introduction 01:48 A Family Legacy of Military Service 02:46 Experiencing 9/11 While Serving 05:35 Deployments to Iraq 07:44 The Difficult Transition Home 11:04 Finding Your Footing After Military Service 15:55 Overcoming Isolation and Finding Purpose 18:14 Connecting With Shepherd's Men 20:37 Building a Supportive Veteran Community 23:18 Finding Purpose Through Giving Back 24:59 Taking Action in Your Community 26:47 Different Ways to Give Back 28:11 Choosing Veteran Organizations to Support 31:57 Continuing to Serve Beyond the Uniform 34:17 Finding Your Next Mission 36:48 Final Thoughts ------ #MilitaryVeterans #MilitaryTransition #VeteranCommunity

BEYOND THE UNIFORM Finding Purpose. Continuing Service. Building Community. As part of The Military Wallet Podcast's special three-part Veterans Day series, we're sharing stories of veterans who have found new purpose, built meaningful connections, and continued making a difference after military service. After 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, retired Chief Master Sergeant Martin Foster faced a question many veterans encounter when leaving the military: Who are you when the career that shaped your identity comes to an end? On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina talks with Martin about transitioning from military service, finding purpose beyond the uniform, and redefining what success looks like in the next chapter of life. Martin shares how his Passing the Torch Podcast, which he started while still serving, became an opportunity to preserve meaningful conversations, share leadership lessons, and build something that would continue beyond his military career. Together, they explore the emotional challenges of retirement, the loss of identity and community that can accompany leaving the military, and why building relationships and pursuing interests outside of service can make that transition easier. Martin also reflects on lessons from conversations with military leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and other high performers, including why the fear of regret can be more powerful than the fear of failure and why personal fulfillment isn't always measured by rank, money, or professional accomplishments. What helped you find purpose after military service? Share your experience in the comments. Your story could help another veteran navigating that transition. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for conversations about military pay, benefits, finances, and life during and after military service. For more on military transition, veteran benefits, and personal finance, visit The Military Wallet: https://themilitarywallet.com/ Connect with Martin Foster: Website: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@torchmartin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torchmartin/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-w-foster/ ------ 00:00 Introduction 02:11 Martin Foster's Military Background and Career 05:09 The Emotional Reality of Military Retirement 07:43 Why Martin Started the Passing the Torch Podcast 14:04 Choosing Purpose Over the Fear of Regret 15:50 Redefining Success Beyond Rank and Money 17:25 What Happens When Your Military Career Ends? 19:35 Losing Your Military Identity and Sense of Purpose 24:00 The Military Spouse's Transition 25:50 Finding Your Next Mission After Service 26:38 Building Community Outside the Military 30:23 Redefining Wealth, Happiness, and Fulfillment 35:42 Lessons Learned: Giving Yourself Grace 38:13 The Power of Asking the Right Questions 41:07 Where to Find Martin and Passing the Torch ------ #MilitaryTransition #LifeAfterService #VeteranCommunity

For military families, years of PCS moves, deployments, and uncertainty can make it difficult to put down roots or pursue long-term dreams. But when military service comes to an end, the transition to civilian life can open doors to opportunities that once seemed out of reach, including starting a business and making a lasting investment in a community. On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina is joined by Kellie Artis, military spouse and owner of Bound & Vine, an independent bookstore and wine bar in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Kellie shares how her husband's retirement after 22 years in the Army gave their family the opportunity to settle down, how the idea for Bound & Vine came together, and the challenges of turning that vision into a reality. They also discuss the employment challenges facing military spouses and why Kellie has made hiring them a priority at Bound & Vine. Along the way, she shares lessons learned about entrepreneurship, business financing, and navigating local regulations. Throughout the conversation, Kellie explains why building a successful business is only part of her mission and how she's working to create a welcoming space where military families and the surrounding community can connect. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for conversations about military pay, benefits, personal finance, veterans issues, and the policies that affect military families. How has military life shaped your long-term goals or career plans? Share your experience in the comments! For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Connect With Kellie Artis: Website: https://www.boundandvine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boundandvine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boundandvine/ ------ 00:00 Introduction: Kellie Artis & Bound & Vine 01:21 Kellie's Journey as a Military Spouse 04:22 Leadership, Community & Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 07:59 How Military Life Shapes Long-Term Dreams 13:33 Turning a Bookstore Idea Into Reality 18:41 Building More Than Just a Bookstore 22:33 Military Spouse Employment & Hiring 28:37 120 Job Applications in One Week 29:51 Lessons Learned From Starting a Business 35:55 What's Next for Bound & Vine? 38:21 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Kellie ------ #MilitarySpouse #MilitaryLife #SmallBusiness

Should you increase your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions or invest in an IRA instead? Can a military spouse who doesn't work contribute to retirement savings? And what happens if you withdraw money from your TSP before traditional retirement age? These are important questions for service members and military families looking to make the most of their retirement savings. On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast Mail Call, host Ryan Guina answers three listener questions about TSP and IRA investing, spousal IRAs, and early retirement withdrawals. He compares the advantages of investing through the TSP versus an IRA, explains when taxable brokerage accounts might make sense, and discusses how married couples can contribute to separate IRAs even when only one spouse earns an income. Ryan also breaks down the TSP age-55 exception, including the rules surrounding civilian and uniformed services accounts and the difference between avoiding early-withdrawal penalties and qualifying for tax-free Roth distributions. He explains why withdrawing a large retirement balance at once could result in a significant tax bill and why understanding your options is essential when planning for retirement. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for conversations about military pay, benefits, personal finance, veterans issues, and the policies that affect military families. Are you contributing to the TSP, an IRA, or both? Share your retirement savings strategy or questions in the comments below! For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com ------ 00:00 Introduction 00:42 TSP vs. IRA: Where Should You Invest? 02:09 Military Retirement and Accessing Your Savings 03:26 TSP Investment Options and Advantages 05:24 Investing With Taxable Brokerage Accounts 08:12 Spousal IRAs: Retirement Savings for Military Couples 10:04 How Spousal IRAs Work 11:15 Spousal IRA Contribution Limits 11:43 Do Spousal IRA Contributions Affect Your Own Limits? 12:49 Understanding the TSP Age-55 Exception 14:49 Penalty-Free vs. Tax-Free Roth TSP Withdrawals 16:02 Should You Withdraw Your Entire TSP Balance? 18:13 Closing Thoughts ------ #ThriftSavingsPlan #MilitaryRetirement #RetirementPlanning

This Mail Call episode of The Military Wallet Podcast focuses on how VA health care works and what veterans should know about dependent benefits. VA health care can be confusing, especially when disability ratings, priority groups, copays, and family eligibility rules all overlap. Ryan Guina is joined by Chad Armstrong, founder of Ace Veteran Consulting and a retired senior non-commissioned officer, to explain the difference between the Veterans Benefits Administration and Veterans Health Administration, how VA health care priority groups work, when veterans may face copays for non-service-connected care, and how VA care can fit alongside civilian health coverage. Ryan and Chad also discuss what happens when a dependent child turns 18, how eligible children can be added back while attending a qualifying school program, and what parents should document if a child may remain dependent because they are permanently incapable of self-support. They also touch on additional benefits that may be available to dependents of veterans rated 100% permanent and total, including CHAMPVA and Dependents’ Educational Assistance. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about military pay, benefits, personal finance, veterans issues, and the challenges that affect military families. Have questions about VA health care or dependent benefits? Let us know in the comments. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com. Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at ⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast⁠ Connect with Chad Armstrong: Website: ⁠https://aceveteranconsulting.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/aceveteranconsulting/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aceveteranconsulting/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadjarmstrong/ ------ 00:29 – Introduction and Chad Armstrong 01:15 – Can VA health care cover non-service-connected conditions? 02:17 – VBA vs. VHA: What’s the difference? 02:55 – VA health care priority groups explained 05:30 – Service-connected care, copays and civilian health coverage 06:16 – When to use VA care vs. civilian providers 07:50 – Dependent benefits and family eligibility 08:50 – What happens when a dependent child turns 18? 09:42 – Adding a child back while they’re in school 10:16 – Adding and removing other dependents 10:47 – “Helpless child” eligibility and documentation 12:28 – Additional benefits for 100% P&T veterans’ dependents 13:44 – Where to find Chad Armstrong 14:00 – Closing ------ #VAHealthcare #VeteransBenefits #MilitaryFamilies

In this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina talks with Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships at Armed Forces Mutual and a certified financial education instructor, about how military families can prepare for a PCS and make the transition to a new duty station a little smoother. Sarah shares practical ways to build a financial cushion before a move, reassess your budget after arriving, support children through the transition, find employment and education resources for military spouses, and get connected with your new community. She also explains why communication — within your family, your command, and your local community — can make such a difference during a PCS. Whether you’re preparing for your first PCS or have moved several times before, this conversation offers practical ideas for making the next transition less stressful and helping your new duty station feel more like home. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for conversations about military pay, benefits, personal finance, veterans issues, and the challenges that affect military families. What’s one thing you wish you had known before your first PCS move? Let us know in the comments. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Connect with Sarah Roder: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bumgardner-roder/ Website: https://www.aafmaa.com/resource-center ------ 0:00 – Intro 0:55 – Sarah Roder’s Military Family Background 3:55 – Preparing Financially for a PCS 7:58 – Rebuilding Your Community After a Move 11:11 – Getting Support From Your New Command 14:42 – Finding Installation and Family Resources 18:19 – Reaching Out to Your Existing Network 19:14 – Helping Children Adjust to a PCS 22:21 – Giving Kids More Control During a Move 24:40 – Employment and Education Resources for Military Spouses 27:14 – How Service Members Adjust to a New Unit 29:33 – Why Communication Matters During a PCS 32:47 – Using Volunteering to Build Connections 33:34 – Reassessing Your Budget After the Move 36:39 – Treating a PCS as a Fresh Start 38:30 – Sarah’s Final Advice for Military Families 39:34 – Resources From Armed Forces Mutual 40:46 – Outro ------ #MilitaryPCS #MilitarySpouse #MilitaryLife

In this episode of The Military Wallet Mail Call, Ryan Guina answers three listener questions about moving money out of the Thrift Savings Plan and into other retirement accounts. He covers when you may be able to roll money out of the TSP while still in federal or military service, what to consider before making the move, and why direct rollovers can help simplify the transfer process. Ryan also explains how Traditional and Roth TSP balances are handled when moving to an IRA or another qualified retirement account. Finally, he breaks down whether a TSP rollover counts toward your annual IRA contribution limit and what happens to Roth TSP contributions and earnings after they are moved into a Roth IRA. If you're preparing to leave federal or military service—or simply trying to understand your options before making a move—this episode walks through some of the key TSP rollover rules to know. For more information, check out ⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com⁠ Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at ⁠⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast ------ 0:00 Intro 1:04 Can You Move TSP Money Before Retirement? 2:30 Should You Roll Over Your TSP? 4:25 Direct vs. Indirect TSP Rollovers 6:41 Traditional vs. Roth TSP Rollovers 9:00 Do TSP Rollovers Count Toward IRA Contribution Limits? 10:23 What Happens to Roth TSP Contributions and Earnings? 11:29 Roth IRA Five-Year Rules ------ #ThriftSavingsPlan #TSPRollover #MilitaryMoney

Building a family can be challenging under any circumstances, but military life can add another layer of complexity. PCS moves, deployments, continuity-of-care issues, and gaps in TRICARE coverage can all affect the options available to military families — and how much those options cost. On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina is joined by Julie Eshelman, William Fontanez, and Jenn White of Building Military Families Network to discuss fertility treatment, IVF, adoption, foster care, and surrogacy in the military community. They explain what TRICARE may cover, how military fertility clinics work, what benefits may be available for adoption, and some of the unique challenges military families face when pursuing surrogacy. Julie, William, and Jenn also share their own family-building experiences and discuss the importance of self-advocacy, financial preparation, reliable resources, and community support. They explain how Building Military Families Network is helping families find those resources while advocating for better support — and why every family-building journey can look different. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about the benefits, finances, and issues that matter to service members, veterans, and military families. What family-building resources do you wish more military families knew about? For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Connect With Building Military Families Network:Website: https://www.buildingmilitaryfamiliesnetwork.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildingmilitaryfamiliesnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingmilitaryfamiliesnet/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-military-families-network/ ------ 0:00 – Intro 0:39 – Building a Family in the Military 4:26 – What TRICARE Covers for Fertility Care 7:42 – Military Fertility Clinics and IVF Costs 12:14 – How Military Life Complicates Fertility Treatment 18:43 – Navigating Adoption as a Military Family 25:10 – Military Adoption Benefits and Financial Resources 28:42 – Foster Care and Foster-to-Adopt 31:01 – What Military Families Should Know About Surrogacy 42:03 – Family-Building Resources and Support 50:40 – When Family Building Doesn’t End With a Child 52:32 – Outro ------ #MilitaryFamilies #FamilyBuilding #MilitaryLife

Leaving military or federal service doesn’t mean you have to close your Thrift Savings Plan. You can keep your money invested, roll it into another retirement account, purchase an annuity, or cash it out—but each option has different costs, tax implications, and long-term consequences. On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina answers a listener’s question about what happens to a Roth TSP after military separation. He explains the five major options available and why doing nothing immediately may be the smartest decision during a transition. Ryan compares the TSP with IRAs and employer retirement plans, explains the tradeoffs of life annuities, warns about taxes and early-withdrawal penalties, and discusses why leaving a small balance in the TSP can preserve access to its low-cost investment options and unique G Fund. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for practical guidance on military pay, benefits, retirement, and personal finance. What do you plan to do with your TSP after leaving military or government service? Let us know in the comments. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at ⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast ------ 0:00 – Intro 0:50 – A Listener’s Roth TSP Question 3:07 – Five Options After Leaving Military Service 3:56 – Option 1: Leave Your Money in the TSP 5:17 – Option 2: Roll Your TSP Into an IRA 7:48 – Option 3: Move It to a New Employer Plan 9:40 – Option 4: Purchase a Life Annuity 12:15 – Option 5: Cash Out Your TSP 13:07 – Which TSP Option Is Best? 13:48 – Why You May Want to Keep Your TSP Open 16:27 – Outro ------ #ThriftSavingsPlan #MilitaryRetirement #MilitaryFinance

The Department of Defense is looking to reduce spending on discretionary permanent change of station moves, raising a major question for military families: Could fewer PCS moves actually make military life better? On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina is joined by Megan Harless, founder of PCS Like a Pro, and MJ Boice of the National Military Family Association to discuss what fewer moves could mean for military careers, spouse employment, family finances, children’s education, overseas assignments, geo-baching, and overall stability. Megan brings years of PCS reform advocacy and the experience of 12 military moves in 20 years, while MJ brings both her work with military families and more than two decades as a Marine Corps spouse. Together, they examine the potential benefits of greater stability as well as the tradeoffs involving career progression, high-cost duty stations, unaccompanied assignments, out-of-pocket moving costs, and the moving industry. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for conversations about military pay, benefits, personal finance, veterans issues, and the policies that affect military families. Would fewer PCS moves make life better for your family, or would you rather keep the flexibility to move more often? Let us know in the comments. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Connect With Megan Harless: Website: https://www.pcslikeapro.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCSlikeAPro/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-m-harless/ Connect with MJ Boice: Website: https://www.militaryfamily.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/militaryfamily/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-j-boice-6732b3105/ ------ 0:00 – Intro 1:23 – Meet MJ Boice and the National Military Family Association 3:46 – Megan Harless and the Push for PCS Reform 6:38 – Could Fewer PCS Moves Help Military Families? 10:07 – PCS Moves, Careers, and Spouse Employment 16:09 – Geo-Baching and Unaccompanied Assignments 21:50 – What Fewer Moves Could Mean for Overseas Assignments 22:55 – What Does “Discretionary PCS” Actually Mean? 25:42 – Why Military Families Need Better Communication 28:55 – Recruiting, Retention, Readiness, and Family Reality 35:32 – Could PCS Savings Shift Costs to Families? 36:19 – The Out-of-Pocket Cost of Military Moves 42:11 – What Would a Better PCS System Look Like? 44:18 – Breaking the PCS Financial Recovery Cycle 49:32 – Could Fewer Moves Hurt the Moving Industry? 55:48 – How Fewer PCS Moves Could Improve Family Stability 59:05 – Where to Find MJ and Megan 59:55 – Outro ------ #MilitaryFamilies #PCS #MilitaryLife

A VA disability rating is not always permanent, and receiving a re-examination notice can understandably make veterans nervous. In this The Military Wallet Mail Call episode, host Ryan Guina speaks with Chad Armstrong, founder of Ace Veteran Consulting and a retired senior NCO, about when the VA can re-examine or reduce a disability rating and what veterans should do if they receive a re-exam notice. Ryan and Chad discuss why veterans should not panic when a re-examination is scheduled, but also why ignoring the notice can put a rating at risk. Chad explains the importance of continuing to document service-connected conditions, how a re-exam can sometimes result in a higher rating when a condition has worsened, and how the VA’s 5-, 10-, and 20-year protections can limit when certain ratings or service connections may be reduced or severed. They also cover the VA’s general policy on routine re-examinations after age 55, the difference between a 100% disability rating and a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) rating, and why documentation remains important even after a claim has been approved. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about VA benefits, military retirement, personal finance, and the issues affecting service members and veterans. Have you ever received a VA re-examination notice? Share your experience or questions in the comments. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast Connect with Chad Armstrong: Website: https://aceveteranconsulting.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aceveteranconsulting/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aceveteranconsulting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadjarmstrong/ ------ 0:00 – Intro 0:45 – What happens when the VA orders a re-examination? 1:48 – Why a VA re-exam does not automatically mean a reduction 3:19 – What can happen if you ignore a VA re-examination 4:39 – When a re-exam could lead to a higher disability rating 5:01 – The VA’s 5-, 10-, and 20-year protection rules 7:59 – How the age-55 rule affects future re-examinations 8:35 – When veterans over age 55 may still be re-examined 9:29 – 100% VA disability vs. 100% Permanent and Total 11:06 – Why continued medical documentation still matters 12:04 – What veterans should remember about protecting their rating 12:48 – How to connect with Chad Armstrong 13:01 – Outro ------ #VADisability #VeteransBenefits #VAClaims

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) can be one of the most valuable tools service members have for building retirement savings, but understanding matching contributions, contribution rules, and investment choices can be confusing when you're getting started. In this Military Wallet Mail Call episode, host Ryan Guina answers reader questions about the TSP basics service members should understand. Ryan explains when automatic and matching contributions begin under the Blended Retirement System, how the military match works once you're fully eligible, and why contributing enough to receive the full match can be so important. He also covers where TSP contributions can come from, why you generally can't deposit personal savings or an inheritance directly into your TSP, and how rollovers from eligible retirement accounts work differently. Finally, Ryan breaks down the five individual TSP funds, including the G, F, C, S, and I Funds, and explains how Lifecycle Funds combine those investments into a diversified portfolio that automatically adjusts over time. He also discusses why an L Fund can be a straightforward starting point for service members who aren't yet comfortable choosing their own investment allocation. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about military pay, benefits, retirement planning, and personal finance. What questions do you have about the TSP? Leave them in the comments and we may answer them in a future Mail Call episode. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at ⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast⁠ ------ 0:00 – Intro 0:17 – When TSP contributions and matching begin 3:05 – What the TSP vesting period means 4:05 – How to receive the full TSP match 5:15 – Can savings or an inheritance go into your TSP? 6:01 – How to use outside money to increase TSP contributions 7:35 – When rollovers can add money to your TSP 8:41 – Individual TSP funds vs. Lifecycle Funds 9:35 – Understanding the G and F Funds 10:36 – Understanding the C, S, and I Funds 12:54 – How TSP Lifecycle Funds work 14:04 – How to decide where to invest 16:52 – Outro ------ #TSP #MilitaryFinance #MilitaryRetirement

Military spouses often face career disruptions that can make it difficult to build and maintain long-term professional momentum. Frequent PCS moves can mean leaving a job, starting over with a new employer, accepting work below your experience level, or stepping away from a career altogether. In this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, host Ryan Guina speaks with National Military Spouse Network founder and president Sue Hoppin about why military spouse employment is not just a family issue, but an important part of military readiness and, ultimately, national security. Ryan and Sue discuss the challenges military spouses face when relocating, including underemployment, childcare shortages, overseas employment restrictions, and the difficulty of maintaining career continuity through repeated moves. They also look at areas where progress has been made, including licensing and credential reciprocity, while exploring how remote work, entrepreneurship, self-advocacy, professional networks, and stronger policy consistency could help more spouses remain employed throughout a military career. The conversation also looks at the long-term financial impact of interrupted careers, including lost income, reduced retirement savings, and fewer opportunities for career growth. Ryan and Sue discuss how spouse employment affects recruiting and retention, why military families need a stronger voice in policy discussions, and how changes such as expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to military spouses could create more opportunities for employers to hire from this talent pool. Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about military careers, benefits, personal finance, and the issues affecting service members, veterans, and their families. What has been the biggest employment challenge your military family has faced? Share your experience in the comments. For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com Connect With Sue Hoppin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suehoppin/ Connect With the National Military Spouse Network: Website: https://www.nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NMSNetwork/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmsnetwork/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-military-spouse-network/ ------ 0:00 – Intro0:38 – Meet military spouse employment advocate Sue Hoppin1:30 – How big is the military spouse employment problem?3:03 – Why underemployment is difficult to measure4:28 – Are military employment surveys asking the right questions?7:03 – How PCS moves disrupt military spouse careers7:53 – Why policy consistency matters for spouse employment11:53 – The challenges of working overseas13:35 – Progress on licensing and credential reciprocity17:16 – How military spouses are helping each other find opportunities19:36 – Why childcare remains a major employment barrier23:41 – Can remote work make military spouse careers more portable?27:03 – The long-term financial cost of interrupted careers31:20 – Retirement savings and the power of starting early33:48 – When spouse employment becomes a readiness issue37:09 – Giving military families a stronger voice in policy41:56 – Programs and policies that could improve spouse employment44:59 – How the National Military Spouse Network is advocating for change48:46 – Resources and opportunities for military spouses51:34 – How to connect with the National Military Spouse Network52:23 – Outro ------ #MilitarySpouse #MilitaryFamilies #MilitaryReadiness