Honoring our veterans: Financial planning tips for America’s heroes
Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb are financial advisors at Wealth Enhancement and co-hosts of “Your Money” on WCCO AM 830 on Sunday mornings. Email Bruce and Peg at yourmoney@wealthenhancement.com. Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment advisor and affiliate of Wealth Enhancement Group®.
Every November, Americans pause to honor the courage and sacrifice of our service members and their families. Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder that freedom and security come at a cost, and that those who served our nation are entitled to the same sense of safety and peace they fought to protect.
One of the most powerful ways to show appreciation is by helping our veterans make the most of the benefits they’ve earned. Today’s array of federal programs covering health care, housing, education, insurance, and retirement savings can provide a strong foundation for lifelong financial stability. But these benefits are complex and often underused. Knowing where to start can make all the difference.
Mapping your benefits to a real plan
Veterans’ finances are different because military service connects to nearly every part of a financial plan. Health care, disability compensation, GI Bill education benefits, TRICARE, and tax-free payments all interact in ways that can either strengthen or complicate a family’s long-term goals.
Begin by taking inventory. Gather your service record and note any exposure history, since the PACT Act has expanded eligibility for health care and disability compensation to many veterans who were previously excluded. Verify your disability rating and dependent status and review your education benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill programs.
Even if you are healthy, enrolling in VA health care is an important step. It keeps your record active, builds a relationship with a primary care provider, and makes future claims easier to process. Think of it as a continuation of the self-care that keeps you and your family strong.
For those receiving disability benefits, note that payments increased by 2.5% for 2025, reflecting the latest cost-of-living adjustment.
Housing: turning service into stability
Few benefits have transformed more lives than the VA home loan. For veterans with full entitlement, there are no loan limits. This presents an enormous advantage for buyers in higher-cost housing markets. The program’s funding fee can often be waived for service-connected disability, and closing timelines today can rival conventional loans when paperwork is in order.
For veterans considering a move, understanding entitlement restoration rules can help preserve eligibility for future purchases. Home ownership remains one of the most enduring ways to build wealth, and the VA loan continues to make that dream attainable for those who served.
Education and career transitions
Education has long been part of America’s promise to its veterans. The GI Bill still offers some of the most generous tuition and housing benefits available anywhere. As of August 1, 2025, new academic-year rates are in effect through July 2026, with the monthly housing allowance tied to the rate for an E-5 with dependents in the school’s ZIP code.
A major change this year comes from the Supreme Court’s Rudisill v. McDonough decision, which allows many veterans who earned both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills to use both programs for up to 48 months of combined education benefits. That is a significant win for those pursuing new careers or credentials after service.
Veterans who have completed their education have the option to transfer their education benefits to a spouse or child, creating a meaningful legacy. Before enrolling, use the VA’s GI Bill Comparison Tool to evaluate programs and ensure the school is fully accredited and transparent about costs.
Preserving income, insurance and retirement
Financial security also depends on preserving income and protecting loved ones. The VA’s VALife program, introduced in 2023, offers guaranteed-acceptance whole-life insurance coverage up to $40,000 for veterans age 80 or younger. Those currently insured under the older S-DVI program have until December 31, 2025, to apply for VALife while maintaining existing coverage during the two-year transition period.
As of this fall, more than $2 billion in VALife coverage has been issued, proof that many veterans are taking advantage of this new option. Meanwhile, TRICARE premiums and dental fees for 2025 have been updated; small adjustments can add-up over time, so be sure to account for those in your budget.
Service members under the Blended Retirement System should continue contributing enough to capture the 5% Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) match. This effectively is free money, and one of the simplest ways to strengthen long-term security. And remember that VA disability payments are tax-free, which can affect whether a Roth or traditional account makes more sense for your retirement savings.
Five fast moves every veteran should consider
- Document any toxic exposure: The PACT Act expansions mean more veterans now qualify for early care and compensation.
- Time your education start: GI Bill housing allowances reset each August 1, so plan enrollment around that date.
- Check your Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Full entitlement can remove loan limits under the VA program.
- Review your life insurance coverage: Compare private-term policies with the new VALife program, especially before the 2025 S-DVI deadline.
- Revisit your TRICARE budget: Premium and dental costs changed this year, adjust accordingly.
A message of gratitude
This Veterans Day, our gratitude extends beyond words. We thank every service member and family who has shouldered the burden of duty and wish to remind them that financial well-being is part of the peace they’ve earned.
Take this Veterans Day as a moment to review your benefits, update your plan, and ensure the security you defended continues here at home.
The original article was published by the Pioneer Press.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
2025-9899
