Congress recently passed major tax reform legislation known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This act is the largest modification to the US tax code in over three decades and means major changes for businesses and individuals. With half of the 2018 tax year already done, are you aware of how these reforms are affecting your military family and the tax return you’ll file next year?

In life, things are often all about perspective. For military spouses, no matter your location, family situation or partner’s rank, considering employment options can be tricky and inspiration can come when you least expect it.

Spring and summer are the homebuyer’s most popular seasons — with warm temperatures making a new home search more appealing, and military families preparing for a change of duty station. With so many potential buyers looking for a home, the competition to find the right home for you can be a real challenge. That’s where AAFMAA Mortgage Services LLC (AMS) can help. We strive to assist the military community to navigate the home-buying process — making it an easier, smoother experience for you.

When looking for a new home, many military families set out with a checklist of desired features such as more bedrooms for a growing family, extra counter space in the kitchen, or a larger backyard to enjoy. Having a checklist for your finances during the home-buying process is just as important, including selecting the right mortgage.

We’re now nearly three months into the open enrollment period for the new Blended Retirement System (BRS), which went into effect for new military members on January 1, 2018. While you have until the end of 2018 decide whether you’ll opt into the BRS or stay with the legacy retirement system, time is of the essence. Each month you wait could mean lost matching funds if you end up going with the BRS. However, making a decision like this one isn’t always easy and should never be rushed.

Managing your day-to-day financial planning needs can be stressful. But those significant life changes, the ones that really require special attention and strategies, could just paralyze you into inaction. Having kids to care for, attending college, changing relationships — they all affect the way you spend money and balance your budget. Let’s consider why eight of these unique life situations may cause you to seek the advice of a financial expert.

Americans are living longer. That’s the good news. The bad news is that most people aren’t financially prepared. Many Baby Boomers will be in retirement for more than 20 years but many aren’t saving and investing with a longer life expectancy in mind.

There are serious consequences to financial planning around the wrong life expectancy. Some retirees are working later in life; others live in fear of running out of money, while others are leaving less of a legacy than they hoped. No one wants to run out of money in retirement.

By Guest Contributor Mary Ann Eckberg at MilitaryByOwner.com

While waiting in line at the commissary on base, I couldn’t help but overhear the enthusiastic commentary of the little girl in front of me. Quizzing her patient mother, she asked, “Can we have a backyard big enough for a trampoline?” and “Will we be close enough to see Gram and Pop?

As one of our policy owners, you can look forward to receiving your 2017 Annual Policy Statements soon. An important part of a Life Lived Well is your preparation for the future. Empower yourself and your loved ones by taking a few minutes to review your 2017 AAFMAA statements, specifically for accuracy in the following areas: