Retired pay, TRICARE, the Survivor Benefit Plan, your TSP and VA benefits all follow their own rules. Get them working together with guidance from a licensed, independent Florida retirement planner.
Free 16-page PDF. Not affiliated with the VA. We never charge for VA claim help.
Free 2026 guideThe Military Retiree’s Retirement Checklist32 steps · 16 pages
A single missed deadline or election can cost thousands a year for the rest of your life. Here are a few of the figures we review in every veterans planning session.
Rates effective December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026. Sources: VA.gov pension rates, DFAS Survivor Benefit Plan, TRICARE.mil. Figures change every year; your amounts depend on your situation.
Your military benefits are a strong foundation. The gaps usually show up where they meet the rest of your plan.
To keep TRICARE at 65 you must have Medicare Part A and Part B. Missing the window can mean a gap in coverage and a lifelong late penalty.
The SBP election is hard to undo, and VGLI premiums rise with age. Many retirees never compare them side by side with private coverage.
Your pension already acts like a bond. That changes how your TSP and other savings could be invested, withdrawn and taxed.
VA Aid and Attendance can help wartime veterans and surviving spouses pay for care at home or in a facility. Eligibility depends on income, net worth and medical need.
VA disability pay is tax-free. Retired pay is taxed federally, but Florida has no state income tax. CRDP and CRSC rules can change your net income.
Beneficiaries on your TSP, SBP and life insurance override your will. A child with special needs may need a trust to keep their benefits.
Several military benefits have one-time windows. Knowing when they open and close is half the battle.
Choose your Survivor Benefit Plan coverage and decide what to do with your TSP.
Convert SGLI to VGLI with no health questions, or compare private life insurance first.
A one-time window to stop SBP coverage if it no longer fits, with your spouse's consent.
Coordinate your claiming age with retired pay, a spouse's benefit and taxes.
Enroll in Medicare Part B, then plan for long-term care and your legacy.
Answer seven quick questions. You will see which areas may be worth a closer look. Nothing is saved or sent.
Each "No" or "Not sure" points to an area we can review in a free consultation.
Aid and Attendance is an added amount on top of the basic VA pension. It is for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing or eating, or who live in a nursing home. The disability does not need to be connected to service.
| Household | Max per year |
|---|---|
| Veteran, basic pension | $17,441 |
| Veteran, housebound | $21,313 |
| Veteran, Aid and Attendance | $29,093 |
| Veteran with spouse, Aid and Attendance | $34,488 |
Some salespeople promise to help a veteran qualify for Aid and Attendance by moving savings into an annuity or trust. Since 2018 the VA reviews transfers made in the 3 years before you apply, and a transfer can block benefits for up to 5 years. Locking up savings can also leave you short when care costs rise.
How we work instead:
Nearly 1.4 million veterans call Florida home. A plan built here should use every state advantage you qualify for.
Florida does not tax your military retired pay, TSP withdrawals or Social Security.
Disabled veterans may reduce or eliminate homestead property tax. Applications go to your county property appraiser by March 1.
The Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona and area clinics serve Central Florida veterans.
Florida runs State Veterans' Nursing Homes, including the Alwyn C. Cashe home in Orlando.
No cost, no obligation, and no pressure. In person in Central Florida or by video anywhere in the country.
A short call about your service, your family and what you want retirement to look like. Bring your retirement account statement and any VA letters if you have them.
We line up your retired pay, TSP, SBP, TRICARE, VA benefits and Social Security, and show where the gaps and overlaps are.
A written summary of your options and next steps. You decide what, if anything, to do next.
Surviving spouses may qualify for SBP payments, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a survivors pension and CHAMPVA. Since 2023, SBP and DIC can be paid in full together.
If you are a military retiree and qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, you generally must enroll in Part B at 65 to keep TRICARE coverage through TRICARE For Life. Active duty members and their families can usually wait. Timing matters, so it is worth reviewing a few months before your 65th birthday.
It depends on your age, health, your spouse's age and other income. SBP can pay your spouse up to 55% of your base retired pay for life, adjusted for inflation. Life insurance may cost less for some people and more for others. We compare both using your real numbers.
No. VA disability compensation is not taxed. Military retired pay is subject to federal income tax, but Florida has no state income tax. Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice, so we coordinate with your tax professional.
The TSP has low costs, and for many people it is a good place to stay. Others want more withdrawal flexibility, more investment choices, or to combine accounts. Each choice has tradeoffs, and we walk through them with you. Roth conversions are taxable in the year of conversion and may not be appropriate for everyone.
No. Only VA-accredited representatives may help prepare and present VA claims, and it is illegal for anyone else to charge for that work. We can point you to free help from a Veterans Service Officer and make sure the result fits into your retirement plan.
No. We work with veterans who served any length of time, military retirees, surviving spouses, and adult children helping a parent who served.
A free, no-obligation conversation about your retired pay, TSP, health coverage, survivor protection and long-term care.
Book a Free ConsultationOr call (407) 974-7100
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice. Rules for military retirement, VA benefits, TRICARE, Social Security, Medicare and taxes change over time and depend on your situation. Confirm details with the agency involved and consult your tax, legal and insurance professionals before acting.
Roger Fishel Financial is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, DFAS, TRICARE or any government agency. We do not prepare, present or prosecute VA benefit claims and never charge for help with a VA claim. For claim help, contact a VA-accredited representative or Veterans Service Officer.
Roth conversions are taxable in the year of conversion and may not be appropriate for everyone. Insurance and annuity products are offered through Roger Fishel Financial. Roger Fishel is a licensed insurance agent in the state of Florida (FL License W472056).
The benefits check and all examples are hypothetical and for illustration only. They do not guarantee any result or represent any specific product.
Sources: VA.gov (pension rates effective December 1, 2025, net worth limit and look-back rules); DFAS (Survivor Benefit Plan, CRDP, CRSC); TRICARE.mil; TSP.gov; Social Security Administration; Medicare.gov; IRS; Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. Information current as of October 2026.
Photographs are illustrative, were created with AI image tools, and do not depict actual clients or veterans.
