In this episode of The Military Wallet Mail Call, Ryan Guina answers three listener questions about moving money out of the Thrift Savings Plan and into other retirement accounts.

He covers when you may be able to roll money out of the TSP while still in federal or military service, what to consider before making the move, and why direct rollovers can help simplify the transfer process. Ryan also explains how Traditional and Roth TSP balances are handled when moving to an IRA or another qualified retirement account.

Finally, he breaks down whether a TSP rollover counts toward your annual IRA contribution limit and what happens to Roth TSP contributions and earnings after they are moved into a Roth IRA.

If you're preparing to leave federal or military service—or simply trying to understand your options before making a move—this episode walks through some of the key TSP rollover rules to know.

For more information, check out ⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com⁠

Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at ⁠⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast

------

0:00 Intro

1:04 Can You Move TSP Money Before Retirement?

2:30 Should You Roll Over Your TSP?

4:25 Direct vs. Indirect TSP Rollovers

6:41 Traditional vs. Roth TSP Rollovers

9:00 Do TSP Rollovers Count Toward IRA Contribution Limits?

10:23 What Happens to Roth TSP Contributions and Earnings?

11:29 Roth IRA Five-Year Rules

------

#ThriftSavingsPlan #TSPRollover #MilitaryMoney

Building a family can be challenging under any circumstances, but military life can add another layer of complexity. PCS moves, deployments, continuity-of-care issues, and gaps in TRICARE coverage can all affect the options available to military families — and how much those options cost.

On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina is joined by Julie Eshelman, William Fontanez, and Jenn White of Building Military Families Network to discuss fertility treatment, IVF, adoption, foster care, and surrogacy in the military community. They explain what TRICARE may cover, how military fertility clinics work, what benefits may be available for adoption, and some of the unique challenges military families face when pursuing surrogacy.

Julie, William, and Jenn also share their own family-building experiences and discuss the importance of self-advocacy, financial preparation, reliable resources, and community support. They explain how Building Military Families Network is helping families find those resources while advocating for better support — and why every family-building journey can look different.

Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about the benefits, finances, and issues that matter to service members, veterans, and military families.

What family-building resources do you wish more military families knew about?

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Connect With Building Military Families Network:Website: https://www.buildingmilitaryfamiliesnetwork.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildingmilitaryfamiliesnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingmilitaryfamiliesnet/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-military-families-network/

------

0:00 – Intro

0:39 – Building a Family in the Military

4:26 – What TRICARE Covers for Fertility Care

7:42 – Military Fertility Clinics and IVF Costs

12:14 – How Military Life Complicates Fertility Treatment

18:43 – Navigating Adoption as a Military Family

25:10 – Military Adoption Benefits and Financial Resources

28:42 – Foster Care and Foster-to-Adopt

31:01 – What Military Families Should Know About Surrogacy

42:03 – Family-Building Resources and Support

50:40 – When Family Building Doesn’t End With a Child

52:32 – Outro

------

#MilitaryFamilies #FamilyBuilding #MilitaryLife

Leaving military or federal service doesn’t mean you have to close your Thrift Savings Plan. You can keep your money invested, roll it into another retirement account, purchase an annuity, or cash it out—but each option has different costs, tax implications, and long-term consequences.

On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina answers a listener’s question about what happens to a Roth TSP after military separation. He explains the five major options available and why doing nothing immediately may be the smartest decision during a transition.

Ryan compares the TSP with IRAs and employer retirement plans, explains the tradeoffs of life annuities, warns about taxes and early-withdrawal penalties, and discusses why leaving a small balance in the TSP can preserve access to its low-cost investment options and unique G Fund.

Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for practical guidance on military pay, benefits, retirement, and personal finance.

What do you plan to do with your TSP after leaving military or government service? Let us know in the comments.

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at ⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast

------

0:00 – Intro

0:50 – A Listener’s Roth TSP Question

3:07 – Five Options After Leaving Military Service

3:56 – Option 1: Leave Your Money in the TSP

5:17 – Option 2: Roll Your TSP Into an IRA

7:48 – Option 3: Move It to a New Employer Plan

9:40 – Option 4: Purchase a Life Annuity

12:15 – Option 5: Cash Out Your TSP

13:07 – Which TSP Option Is Best?

13:48 – Why You May Want to Keep Your TSP Open

16:27 – Outro

------

#ThriftSavingsPlan #MilitaryRetirement #MilitaryFinance

The Department of Defense is looking to reduce spending on discretionary permanent change of station moves, raising a major question for military families: Could fewer PCS moves actually make military life better?

On this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, Ryan Guina is joined by Megan Harless, founder of PCS Like a Pro, and MJ Boice of the National Military Family Association to discuss what fewer moves could mean for military careers, spouse employment, family finances, children’s education, overseas assignments, geo-baching, and overall stability.

Megan brings years of PCS reform advocacy and the experience of 12 military moves in 20 years, while MJ brings both her work with military families and more than two decades as a Marine Corps spouse. Together, they examine the potential benefits of greater stability as well as the tradeoffs involving career progression, high-cost duty stations, unaccompanied assignments, out-of-pocket moving costs, and the moving industry.

Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for conversations about military pay, benefits, personal finance, veterans issues, and the policies that affect military families.

Would fewer PCS moves make life better for your family, or would you rather keep the flexibility to move more often? Let us know in the comments.

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Connect With Megan Harless:

Website: https://www.pcslikeapro.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCSlikeAPro/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-m-harless/

Connect with MJ Boice:

Website: https://www.militaryfamily.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/militaryfamily/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-j-boice-6732b3105/

------

0:00 – Intro

1:23 – Meet MJ Boice and the National Military Family Association

3:46 – Megan Harless and the Push for PCS Reform

6:38 – Could Fewer PCS Moves Help Military Families?

10:07 – PCS Moves, Careers, and Spouse Employment

16:09 – Geo-Baching and Unaccompanied Assignments

21:50 – What Fewer Moves Could Mean for Overseas Assignments

22:55 – What Does “Discretionary PCS” Actually Mean?

25:42 – Why Military Families Need Better Communication

28:55 – Recruiting, Retention, Readiness, and Family Reality

35:32 – Could PCS Savings Shift Costs to Families?

36:19 – The Out-of-Pocket Cost of Military Moves

42:11 – What Would a Better PCS System Look Like?

44:18 – Breaking the PCS Financial Recovery Cycle

49:32 – Could Fewer Moves Hurt the Moving Industry?

55:48 – How Fewer PCS Moves Could Improve Family Stability

59:05 – Where to Find MJ and Megan

59:55 – Outro

------

#MilitaryFamilies #PCS #MilitaryLife

A VA disability rating is not always permanent, and receiving a re-examination notice can understandably make veterans nervous. In this The Military Wallet Mail Call episode, host Ryan Guina speaks with Chad Armstrong, founder of Ace Veteran Consulting and a retired senior NCO, about when the VA can re-examine or reduce a disability rating and what veterans should do if they receive a re-exam notice.

Ryan and Chad discuss why veterans should not panic when a re-examination is scheduled, but also why ignoring the notice can put a rating at risk. Chad explains the importance of continuing to document service-connected conditions, how a re-exam can sometimes result in a higher rating when a condition has worsened, and how the VA’s 5-, 10-, and 20-year protections can limit when certain ratings or service connections may be reduced or severed.

They also cover the VA’s general policy on routine re-examinations after age 55, the difference between a 100% disability rating and a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) rating, and why documentation remains important even after a claim has been approved.

Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about VA benefits, military retirement, personal finance, and the issues affecting service members and veterans.

Have you ever received a VA re-examination notice? Share your experience or questions in the comments.

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast

Connect with Chad Armstrong:

Website: https://aceveteranconsulting.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aceveteranconsulting/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aceveteranconsulting/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadjarmstrong/

------

0:00 – Intro

0:45 – What happens when the VA orders a re-examination?

1:48 – Why a VA re-exam does not automatically mean a reduction

3:19 – What can happen if you ignore a VA re-examination

4:39 – When a re-exam could lead to a higher disability rating

5:01 – The VA’s 5-, 10-, and 20-year protection rules

7:59 – How the age-55 rule affects future re-examinations

8:35 – When veterans over age 55 may still be re-examined

9:29 – 100% VA disability vs. 100% Permanent and Total

11:06 – Why continued medical documentation still matters

12:04 – What veterans should remember about protecting their rating

12:48 – How to connect with Chad Armstrong

13:01 – Outro

------

#VADisability #VeteransBenefits #VAClaims

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) can be one of the most valuable tools service members have for building retirement savings, but understanding matching contributions, contribution rules, and investment choices can be confusing when you're getting started. In this Military Wallet Mail Call episode, host Ryan Guina answers reader questions about the TSP basics service members should understand.

Ryan explains when automatic and matching contributions begin under the Blended Retirement System, how the military match works once you're fully eligible, and why contributing enough to receive the full match can be so important. He also covers where TSP contributions can come from, why you generally can't deposit personal savings or an inheritance directly into your TSP, and how rollovers from eligible retirement accounts work differently.

Finally, Ryan breaks down the five individual TSP funds, including the G, F, C, S, and I Funds, and explains how Lifecycle Funds combine those investments into a diversified portfolio that automatically adjusts over time. He also discusses why an L Fund can be a straightforward starting point for service members who aren't yet comfortable choosing their own investment allocation.

Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about military pay, benefits, retirement planning, and personal finance.

What questions do you have about the TSP? Leave them in the comments and we may answer them in a future Mail Call episode.

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at ⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast⁠

------

0:00 – Intro

0:17 – When TSP contributions and matching begin

3:05 – What the TSP vesting period means

4:05 – How to receive the full TSP match

5:15 – Can savings or an inheritance go into your TSP?

6:01 – How to use outside money to increase TSP contributions

7:35 – When rollovers can add money to your TSP

8:41 – Individual TSP funds vs. Lifecycle Funds

9:35 – Understanding the G and F Funds

10:36 – Understanding the C, S, and I Funds

12:54 – How TSP Lifecycle Funds work

14:04 – How to decide where to invest

16:52 – Outro

------

#TSP #MilitaryFinance #MilitaryRetirement

Military spouses often face career disruptions that can make it difficult to build and maintain long-term professional momentum. Frequent PCS moves can mean leaving a job, starting over with a new employer, accepting work below your experience level, or stepping away from a career altogether. In this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, host Ryan Guina speaks with National Military Spouse Network founder and president Sue Hoppin about why military spouse employment is not just a family issue, but an important part of military readiness and, ultimately, national security.

Ryan and Sue discuss the challenges military spouses face when relocating, including underemployment, childcare shortages, overseas employment restrictions, and the difficulty of maintaining career continuity through repeated moves. They also look at areas where progress has been made, including licensing and credential reciprocity, while exploring how remote work, entrepreneurship, self-advocacy, professional networks, and stronger policy consistency could help more spouses remain employed throughout a military career.

The conversation also looks at the long-term financial impact of interrupted careers, including lost income, reduced retirement savings, and fewer opportunities for career growth. Ryan and Sue discuss how spouse employment affects recruiting and retention, why military families need a stronger voice in policy discussions, and how changes such as expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to military spouses could create more opportunities for employers to hire from this talent pool.

Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about military careers, benefits, personal finance, and the issues affecting service members, veterans, and their families.

What has been the biggest employment challenge your military family has faced? Share your experience in the comments.

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Connect With Sue Hoppin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suehoppin/

Connect With the National Military Spouse Network:

Website: https://www.nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NMSNetwork/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmsnetwork/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-military-spouse-network/

------

0:00 – Intro
0:38 – Meet military spouse employment advocate Sue Hoppin
1:30 – How big is the military spouse employment problem?
3:03 – Why underemployment is difficult to measure
4:28 – Are military employment surveys asking the right questions?
7:03 – How PCS moves disrupt military spouse careers
7:53 – Why policy consistency matters for spouse employment
11:53 – The challenges of working overseas
13:35 – Progress on licensing and credential reciprocity
17:16 – How military spouses are helping each other find opportunities
19:36 – Why childcare remains a major employment barrier
23:41 – Can remote work make military spouse careers more portable?
27:03 – The long-term financial cost of interrupted careers
31:20 – Retirement savings and the power of starting early
33:48 – When spouse employment becomes a readiness issue
37:09 – Giving military families a stronger voice in policy
41:56 – Programs and policies that could improve spouse employment
44:59 – How the National Military Spouse Network is advocating for change
48:46 – Resources and opportunities for military spouses
51:34 – How to connect with the National Military Spouse Network
52:23 – Outro

------

#MilitarySpouse #MilitaryFamilies #MilitaryReadiness

Filing a VA disability claim can feel overwhelming, especially when you are unsure which type of claim to submit, what evidence the VA needs, or how to prepare for a C&P exam. In this first The Military Wallet Mail Call episode, host Ryan Guina is joined by retired senior non-commissioned officer and VA benefits expert Chad Armstrong to answer common questions from veterans and military families.

Ryan and Chad explain the difference between a standard claim and a fully developed claim, what to expect during a compensation and pension exam, and how veterans can prepare without exaggerating or downplaying their symptoms. They also discuss the types of evidence that can strengthen a claim, including service treatment records, private medical records, buddy letters, medical opinions, and symptom trackers.

The conversation also covers more complicated situations, including filing years after leaving the military, proving service in locations connected to presumptive conditions, and building a case when military records are missing or difficult to read. Chad explains why veterans should carefully review denial letters, understand what evidence is still missing, and seek qualified help when a claim becomes too complex to manage alone.

Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more practical conversations about VA benefits, military pay, retirement, and financial planning for service members, veterans, and their families.

What questions do you have about VA disability claims or the C&P exam process? Share them in the comments for a future Mail Call episode.

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Have a question for a future Mail Call episode? Leave us a message at ⁠TheMilitaryWallet.com/Podcast⁠

Connect With Chad Armstrong:

Website: https://aceveteranconsulting.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aceveteranconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aceveteranconsulting/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadjarmstrong/

------

0:00 – Intro
0:57 – Standard claims vs. fully developed claims
1:44 – When a fully developed claim makes sense
4:13 – What to expect at a VA C&P exam
6:56 – Why veterans should not downplay their symptoms
7:18 – How to prepare for your C&P exam
9:35 – Using notes and understanding the rating criteria
10:03 – What evidence can strengthen a VA disability claim
11:03 – The three things every successful claim needs
13:47 – Filing years after leaving the military
14:24 – Proving service connection with missing records
15:31 – Creative ways to document where you served
17:13 – When to seek help with a complex VA claim
19:10 – What denial letters can tell you
19:46 – Where to learn more from Chad Armstrong
20:09 – Outro

------

#VADisability #VeteransBenefits #VAClaims

Military pay raises are usually applied evenly across the board, but lawmakers are considering something different for 2027. One proposal would provide a larger raise for junior enlisted troops, while senior service members would receive a smaller percentage increase. In this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, host Ryan Guina speaks with military journalist and researcher Jennifer Barnhill about why Congress may target additional pay toward the service members who need it most.

Ryan and Jennifer explain how military pay raises are determined, the differences between the House and Senate proposals, and why recruiting, retention, and readiness influence compensation decisions. They also examine the financial pressures facing military households, including food insecurity, rising housing costs, childcare expenses, military spouse unemployment, and limited access to assistance programs.

Beyond the proposed raise, Ryan and Jennifer look at what it reveals about the financial realities of military life. They discuss why compensation decisions affect more than take-home pay, influencing morale, retention, and whether service remains sustainable for military families over the long term.

Subscribe to The Military Wallet Podcast for more conversations about military pay, benefits, personal finance, and the issues affecting service members, veterans, and their families.

What changes would make the greatest difference for today’s military families? Share your thoughts in the comments.

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Connect With Jennifer Barnhill:

Website: https://www.jenniferbarnhill.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermbarnhill/

Check Out Jennifer's Book, The Military Stories You've Been Told and the Ones You Need to Hear: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQKTN152

------

0:00 – Intro

0:44 – How annual military pay raises are determined

2:22 – The competing 2027 military pay raise proposals

3:38 – How military families and advocates influence policy

4:29 – Why recruiting, retention, and readiness affect pay

5:55 – Why military spouse income now matters more

7:39 – The history of targeted military pay raises

11:15 – Why junior enlisted troops may receive more

13:49 – How rising living costs strain military budgets

16:02 – SNAP, WIC, and support for struggling families

18:55 – What a targeted pay raise could accomplish

20:45 – Why today’s military families face different challenges

22:49 – The risk of pay compression between ranks

26:13 – Why higher pay alone will not solve the problem

29:42 – Building better housing, childcare, and family support

32:14 – Jennifer Barnhill’s book and where to follow her

33:13 – Outro

------

#militarypay #militaryfamilies #militaryfinance

Paying for college is challenging for almost any family—but military families often have access to unique education benefits that can dramatically reduce the cost when used strategically. In this episode of The Military Wallet Podcast, host Ryan Guina sits down with military finance expert and author Kate Horrell to discuss how families can make the most of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, 529 plans, scholarships, state education benefits, and other resources to create a college funding strategy that works for their unique situation. Whether you're planning for one child or several, this conversation offers practical guidance to help you make informed financial decisions before tuition bills arrive.

Ryan and Kate explain why college planning should be viewed as a family-wide financial strategy rather than a series of individual decisions. They cover lesser-known GI Bill transfer rules, common misconceptions about the Yellow Ribbon Program, ways to combine military education benefits with scholarships and state programs, and how thoughtful planning can stretch your education dollars much further. They also discuss alternatives to traditional four-year colleges, including community college, apprenticeships, and trade schools, giving military families a broader perspective on higher education.

If you're an active-duty service member, veteran, military spouse, or parent preparing for college expenses, this episode provides practical strategies that can help you maximize the benefits you've earned while avoiding costly mistakes. Every family's situation is different, but understanding your options before making major education decisions can save thousands of dollars and create more opportunities for everyone involved.

Subscribe for more conversations about military money, benefits, investing, and financial readiness.

Comment below: What questions do you have about paying for college or using your GI Bill benefits? We'd love to hear from you.

For more information, check out TheMilitaryWallet.com

Connect With Kate Horrell:

Website: https://www.katehorrell.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katehorrell/

Check Out Kate's Book, College Finances for Military Families: https://www.amazon.com/College-Finances-Military-Families-Confidently/dp/B0F9NDL54P

------

0:00 – Intro

0:39 – Meet military finance expert Kate Horrell

3:10 – Why college planning should be a family strategy

5:37 – Different ways military families can pay for college

7:22 – Transfer your GI Bill the right way

11:08 – Maximize GI Bill benefits for multiple children

14:11 – Scholarships, 529 plans, and state education benefits

18:31 – Build a college funding plan that saves money

22:23 – Set realistic college expectations with your kids

27:21 – Smart ways to lower the cost of college

31:38 – When professional college planning help makes sense

34:50 – College alternatives worth considering

40:31 – Yellow Ribbon myths and hidden GI Bill strategies

45:40 – Kate Horrell's book and final college planning advice

46:47 – Outro

------

#militaryfinance #gibill #collegeplanning