AAFMAA Member Benefits’ recent webinar, “Essential Documents Every Military Family Needs,” highlighted the many vital documents AAFMAA needs to support survivors after a Member passes away.

When you’re looking to purchase a new home, you probably first think of securing an affordable monthly payment. Buyers have several options when it comes to structuring a mortgage loan and, in recent years, many have chosen adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) to keep their payments affordable.

With all the various decisions that come with a home purchase, one of the most important is deciding between a 15-year mortgage and a 30-year mortgage. Both options have their benefits and drawbacks, so there’s no across-the-board “correct” answer. Besides, every home buying scenario is unique, so your rate will be unique to you as well. Weighing the pros and cons of both options is a great first step for finding the loan that’s best for you. For instance, let’s assume the 15-year rate for a loan is 4.0% and the 30-year rate is 4.5% and see how both affect a home-buying scenario.

When a sponsor passes away, a dependent spouse receives a survivor ID card. You can also replace a dependent’s ID card after their sponsor's death. Simply make an appointment with your local RAPIDS ID card office. Be sure to make your appointment before your current military ID card expires. If your RAPIDS ID office is on a military installation, security will confiscate your expired ID at the time of your appointment.

Veterans who have at least a 30% total VA disability rating can apply to add a dependent to their compensation award and increase their compensation rate. The best time to do this is when you file your claim. If your disability rating is below 30%, you can still file your dependency information.