More From MOAA
Your association’s legislative advocacy is so well-known that some members might overlook the many other services that can save you time and money — and spare you hassles.
By Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.

Here’s a sampling, taken from my own experience, of what MOAA can do for you. After I retired from the Navy in 2002, my wife, Judy, and I used MOAA’s lawyer discount when we updated our wills and health care directives. Some military bases offer these services free of charge, but if you’re not near an installation or need more complex planning, the discount offered by lawyers on our list — 25 percent — is very attractive. We’ve also recently received a 20 percent member discount using the financial services of MOAA partner Garrett Planning Network. It’s satisfying to know we now have a solid, professionally vetted roadmap for the future.

MBNA (now Bank of America) has given us a versatile credit card and competitive rates on CDs and money market investments. I personally like the card’s mileage credit toward air travel. And when Judy and I travel, we always use AVIS or Budget rental cars and MOAA partner hotels to get top discounts, and MOAA Vacations (Brennco Travel) has helped us plan a great family vacation.

I turned 60 in August, and we decided MOAA partner GE Capital’s long term care insurance programs best met our needs. There were no high-pressure sales tactics, and we have peace of mind knowing we won’t be a financial burden to our children. We’ve found that MOAA’s “2 for 1” joint term life insurance is a good fit for us, too. And with TRICARE Standard health care, I use MOAA’s very popular and effective MEDIPLUS® TRICARE health supplement plan. We are convinced there’s not a better medical supplement on the market. Soon it will be paperless, too!

We also have benefited from the products and ser-vices of other key partners, such as the Navy Mutual Aid Association, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, the Armed Forces Benefit Association, and Armed Forces Insurance, as well as advertisers such as USAA and the Navy Federal Credit Union.

For those on active duty or in second careers, MOAA’s officer placement service (TOPS) offers excellent support to members and spouses transitioning to civilian life, and the MOAA Scholarship Fund, which assists college undergraduates, can’t be beaten for service and value.

Judy and I are grateful to be able to enjoy these MOAA services; they’ve made our lives better and more enjoyable. If you haven’t used them yet, it could be time to do some exploring. If you have any questions, call MOAA’s Member Service Center at (800) 234-6622, or check www.moaa.org/services or page 37 of this magazine.