Finance
Financial Planning
What makes MOAA's Financial Planning service difference from other financial firms? We aren't a financial services firm for one thing. We don't sell financial products nor develop personalized financial plans.
We are financial counselors who have been in the financial business. We know how things work in financial firms. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional we now function as educators and counselors instead of a practicing adviser. You get a financial planner in your hip pocket for the cost of MOAA Premium or Life membership.
It's about you getting the upper hand. We are unbiased. We serve for your benefit. We are here to provide you an “insiders” insight you can't find anywhere else-this service doesn't exist anywhere but MOAA. We are your trusted source information for financial products, services, news, and consumer assistance.
What's in it for you? We can…
- Review your situation.
- Provide thoughts and ideas.
- Suggest alternative options.
- Offer a place to share your ideas and get honest feedback
- Be your source of knowledge on products, investments, portfolio management, planning issues
- Make you a savvier consumer.
We are your partner on issues concerning the financial decisions and worries you have in your life. Start with us if you don't know where else to turn for answers.
New Retirement Program
Get information on your future retirement benefits. Available for PREMIUM and LIFE members. View slides.
FINANCIAL CALCULATORS
MOAA's financial calculators provide dynamic graphics, customizable reports, and explanations of key terms and concepts. We hope you will find these new financial tools useful!
Military-to-Civilian Pay Calculator
Use this calculator if you are retiring or leaving the service to help you determine how much civilian pay would be required to match your existing military take home pay.
Mortgage and Loan Calculators
Over twelve different mortgage calculators. Loans, line of credit, debt consolidation, amortization schedules and more.
Investment Calculators
Investment return, internal rate of return, stock options and investment distribution.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE & ADVICE
MOAA's Financial Frontlines blog offers you timely advice on smart money moves, common pitfalls in retirement, college planning for kids, estate and insurance planning, maximizing your military benefits, and more! Highlights below.
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How Much Are You Paying?
Unlike most consumer purchases, figuring out the cost of financial advice and investing can be like an Indiana Jones expedition. Do we really know how much we pay?
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TSP/401k or IRA. Which is best for you?
A breakdown of various account features and a suggested winner for each feature.
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Financial Adviser Standards- Fiduciary or Suitability
Financial services are unlike most other consumer products or services. You never really know if you bought the right product or if you are getting the proper service. In addition, you may not even know how much you are paying for the product or service. Read more.
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MOAA's Benefits and Financial Services- the Value to You
We believe a little explanation is warranted to clear up what we do for you at MOAA concerning our benefits and financial services. Here's how we help you…
FINANCIAL PLANNING FAQ
One of the more common financial planning question.
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QQuestion
Looking for an independent adviser in your area?
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Search these sites using your zip code:
Fee-Only Financial Advisors ( NAPFA )
Financial Planning Association (FPA)
Certified Financial Planners Board
Great products, service and rates from USAA and PenFed.
New Retirement Program
Get information on your future retirement benefits. Available for PREMIUM and LIFE members. View slides
Taxes
Many people think of tax planning on April 14th of each year, right before their income taxes are due. However, tax planning is a year-round endeavor that revolves around strategies to legally reduce, defer, or even eliminate taxes on earned income, unearned income, and capital transactions. The Tax Code is very complex, but most ordinary Americans still have significant opportunities to lower their federal and state tax burdens with appropriate planning.
FINANCIAL CALCULATORS
MOAA's financial calculators provide dynamic graphics, customizable reports, and explanations of key terms and concepts. We hope you will find these new financial tools useful!
ESTATE TAX PLANNING CALCULATOR
Knowing your potential estate tax liability is a great place to start your estate tax plan. Use this calculator to estimate your estate tax liability.
SECTION 125 CAFETERIA PLAN
Use this calculator to see how participating in your employer's "Section 125 Cafeteria Plan" can help you pay less tax, and increase your net take home pay.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAXES
If you are self-employed, operate a farm or are a church employee use this calculator to determine your self-employment taxes.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE & ADVICE
MOAA's Financial Frontlines blog and military tax guides offers you timely advice Highlights below.
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Military Tax Guide
The online-only military MOAA Tax Guide gives you state-by-state tax information and other general info for military servicemembers, veterans and their families.
You can find the latest tax forms, personal income tax rates, property taxes, and other information to make sure you are making the most of your current financial situation.
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State Report Card
Is your state doing all it can to improve quality of life for military people -- retirees, veterans, spouses, and children? MOAA's 2017 state-by-state assessment evaluates several key indicators of military friendliness in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more.
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Why Hire a CPA, EA or Attorney to Work On My Taxes?
CPAs, EAs, and attorneys provide valuable guidance in various situations. Starting a business, renting a home for additional income, selling your home, buying a home are some of the reasons that people would hire a CPA, EA or attorney. Read more.
Tax Planning
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QQuestion
What are the top tax planning websites?
AClick to show answer.
Estate Planning
Estate planning is a process of developing and implementing a plan that determines the distribution of your property and assets after your death. Depending on your personal situation, your estate plan can be very simple or quite complex. At a minimum, every person should have the following:
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a will;
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a living will; and
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a health care power of attorney.
For basic needs, your installation JAG or legal services office (usually open to retirees in addition to Active Duty) is usually sufficient.
As you accumulate more assets and your situation becomes more complicated, you may need some additional estate planning tools. Also, special circumstances such as divorce, remarriage, marriage to a non-US Spouse and children with special needs require legal documents specifically tailored to meet your new circumstances.
Additional estate planning tools could include:
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a durable power of attorney;
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a revocable living trust;
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an irrevocable life insurance trust;
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a minor's trust;
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a special needs trust; and
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various types of charitable trusts.
These advanced estate planning documents may be outside the scope of the installation legal services office, so you may need to seek the help of a qualified private practice attorney. MOAA's Lawyer Listing Service is a good place to start.
The MOAA Estate Planning Guide is a primer to get you started. MOAA does not have legal assistance on staff. Please consult with your lawyer for specifics.
FINANCIAL CALCULATORS
MOAA's financial calculators provide dynamic graphics, customizable reports, and explanations of key terms and concepts. We hope you will find these new financial tools useful!
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE & ADVICE
MOAA's Financial Frontlines blog offers you timely advice on smart money moves, common pitfalls in retirement, college planning for kids, estate and insurance planning, maximizing your military benefits, and more! Highlights below.
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Probate & Estate Planning
In broadest terms - estate planning is putting together a plan that ensures your family and financial goals are achieved after you die. An estate plan deals with two types of property - probate and non-probate.
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The Survivor Benefit Program 'Special Needs Trust'
After numerous years as a MOAA legislative priority, the legislation allowing the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) to pay a special needs trust passed at the end of last December. Many families have been waiting for this SBP change for years. What does it mean?
As an MOAA member, you can take advantage of many different insurance products (including MEDIPLUS TRICARE Supplements) that offer outstanding members-only benefits at reasonable rates.
Learn more about products available under the MOAA Insurance Program.
Looking for the MEDIPLUS claim form? Download a PDF version now.
MEDIPLUS TRICARE Supplements
Get information on the MOAA-Sponsored MEDIPLUS TRICARE Supplements here and manage your insurance plans online.
Life Insurance Plans
Get information on the MOAA-Sponsored Life Insurance Plans here by visiting MOAA Insurance, then mouse-over "Personal Insurance" to see their plans.
Vision Insurance Plan
Get information on the MOAA-Sponsored Vision Insurance Plan that offers savings on eye exams and glasses or contact lenses.
Pet Insurance
Get information on the MOAA-Sponsored Pet Insurance Program that offers coverage for your family's cat or dog.
Long Term Care Insurance
Get information on the MOAA-Sponsored Long Term Care Insurance plans here.
Do You Need Long Term Care Insurance?
Purchasing long term care insurance may help prevent you and your family from facing an unexpected financial burden.
How to Manage Your MOAA Insurance Plan Online
Do you have an MOAA Insurance Plan? Managing your plan now is easier than ever. Use the new Web portal to view and edit your account information, check the status of claims, request a certificate, make payments, and more!
Real Estate Planning
Whether it is a condo, townhouse, duplex or single family home, real estate is typically the largest single investment most Americans make during their lifetime. While the joys of homeownership are many, the buying and selling process can be stressful and fraught with hidden pitfalls.
Figuring out how much house you can afford, choosing the right real estate agent, choosing the right mortgage and protecting yourself during the home-buying process are critical. Visit our Real Estate Guide for important information on these and other key topics.
In addition, our suite of on-line mortgage calculators can assist you in choosing the right loan, the benefits of pre-paying your mortgage and deciding whether you should rent or buy, based on current housing and rent prices.
MOAA does not have real estate special on staff. Please check with a specialist to answer your specific issues.
Financial Calculators
MOAA's financial calculators provide dynamic graphics, customizable reports, and explanations of key terms and concepts. We hope you will find these new financial tools useful!
MORTGAGE CALCULATORS
Fixed Mortgage, Adjustable rate mortgages ARM, mortgage APR calculators and more!
REFINANCE BREAK EVEN
Should you refinance your mortgage? Use this calculator to determine when you will breakeven!
Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is the process of developing your retirement investing and savings goals and programs for a future retirement. Plus, it will help you create income and make your assets last throughout your retirement years. Sources of retirement income can include:
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Military retired pay
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Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
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State and federal government pensions
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Social Security
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Private sector pension plans
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IRAs (individual retirement accounts)
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Annuities
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401(k), 403(b) and 457(k) plans (private sector retirement plans, similar to the TSP)
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Brokerage accounts
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Personal savings
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Rental properties
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Accumulated home equity
Even if you plan to make the military a career, don't assume that you military retired pay and Social Security will be enough to meet your needs. Too many people wait until their mid-to-late 40s to start seriously planning their retirement. This is a big mistake. Saving $250 a month at age 25 will yield approximately $872,000 at age 65 with an 8 percent return. Waiting until age 45 to start saving yields only $147,000 at age 65 - a $725,000 difference!
Blended Retirement Program
Get information on your future retirement benefits. Available for PREMIUM and LIFE members. View slides
FINANCIAL CALCULATORS
MOAA's financial calculators provide dynamic graphics, customizable reports, and explanations of key terms and concepts. We hope you will find these new financial tools useful!
RETIREMENT PLANNER
Quickly determine if your retirement plan is on track - and learn how to keep it there.
ROTH 401(K) OR TRADITIONAL 401(K)
The Roth 401(k) allows you to contribute to your 401(k) account on an after-tax basis - and pay no taxes on qualifying distributions when the money is withdrawn. Use this calculator to help determine the best option for your retirement.
Retirement Planning Quicklinks
One of the more common financial planning question.
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QQuestion
What are the best retirement planning websites?
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MarketWatch Retirement
Federal Long Term Care Insurance
A.M. Best Insurance Company Ratings