- Financial Readiness Program (FRP). FRP provides comprehensive educational and counseling programs in personal financial readiness. The program covers indebtedness, consumer advocacy and protection, money management, credit, financial planning, insurance, and consumer issues. Other services offered include mandatory financial literacy, financial planning for transitioning Soldiers, financial counseling for deployed Soldiers and their Families, and the Department of Defense Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance Program.
- Army Emergency Relief (AER). AER is the US Army's own nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating financial distress in the force. AER provides grants and zero-interest loans to active-duty and retired Soldiers and their Families. AER has supported over 4 million Soldiers since 1942. AER offices are conveniently located at installations around the world. Visit ArmyEmergencyRelief.org to learn more.
- Online Support and Education. Go to Financial Frontline for self-service financial literacy education and help.
- Blended Retirement System. The Blended Retirement System (BRS) combines elements of the legacy retirement system with benefits similar to those offered in many civilian 401(k) plans. Get smart on retirement benefits with the Army Retirement Services Office and Joint Knowledge Online Training.
- Financial Readiness Affiliates
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP is a federal government-sponsored retirement savings and investment plan available to both federal civilian employees and members of the uniformed services. The TSP offers the same type of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans. The retirement income a TSP account provides will depend on working-year contributions and the earnings on those contributions. Learn more at the official Thrift Savings Plan website.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB makes markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products. The CFPB gives consumers the information they need to understand the terms of their agreements with financial companies. Learn more about the CFPB, visit the CFPB on-demand forum and tools website, or order free CFPB publications.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) Military Line. The BBB Military Line provides free resources to our military communities in the areas of financial literacy and consumer protection through the efforts of 112 BBBs across the US. Visit the BBB Military Line to learn more.
- Arrival at First Duty Station
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- Attend the Financial Readiness Program Soldiers Welcome Brief
- Understand Your Benefits
- Start Planning for Your PCS or ETS
- Set Up Your 3 Year Financial Goals
- Establish / Build Up Your Emergency Fund
- Take Advantage of Free Education and Seminars provided by ACS
- Vesting in Your Thrift Savings Plan
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- Understand your Retirement Options
- Blended Retirement
- Retirement Pension
- Learn about Compound Interest
- Maximize Your TSP Contributions
- Understand Your TSP Investment Options (G,F,C,S,I, & Lifecycle Funds)
- Promotions and Pay Increases
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- Review Your Current Budget
- Maximize Savings Potential
- Avoid Lifestyle Inflation
- Minimize Debt
- Refocus and Update Your Goals
- Work On Credit Score
- Review TSP Contributions and Investment Funds
- Dealing with Significant Life Events
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- Marriage
- Birth & Adoption
- Divorce
- Disabling Condition
- Death
- Deployments
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- Update Paperwork and Insurance Policies
- Consider Freezing Your Credit Report
- Set Up Credit Alerts
- Review and Update Your Budget
- Increase Savings
- Understand Pay Allowances and Entitlements
- Career Transition
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- Examine Your Goals, Budget, and Savings
- Attend Transition Assistance Program
- Make Appointment with Retirement Service Office
- Make Appointment with Education Center
- Learn about Your VA Benefits
- Stay in the know on current financial topics!
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News from the CFPB
Mar 17, 2024
Prepared Remarks of CFPB Director Rohit Chopra at the Financial Data Exchange Global Summit
Mar 12, 2024
Consumer Advisory: Opportunity to cancel student loan debt ends soon
Mar 10, 2024
- Financial Resources for Military
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Helpful financial readiness links include:
- Thrift Savings Plan: A Federal Government-sponsored long-term retirement savings and investment plan, available for both Federal civilian employees and members of the uniformed services.
- U.S. Savings Bonds: A shorter-term savings option with competitive interest rates and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
- Office of Financial Readiness: You will find resources, education and support for every stage of financial readiness — whether you’re just getting started learning about finances, interested in tweaking your current plan, or ready to jump in with both feet. Our goal is to foster a financially secure and mission-ready force with every military family living their best life today and in the future.
- Military OneSource: A Department of Defense-funded program that provides comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to active duty, National Guard, reserve members, and their Families.
- Office of Servicemember Affairs: A component of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau helps to educate and empower military members, veterans, and their Families in the consumer financial marketplace.
- Saveandinvest.org: A project of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, a free, unbiased resource dedicated to your financial health. Helps you make informed decisions through easy-to-use tools and resources, and arms you with the information you need to protect yourself from investment fraud.
- On Your Own: Money. Life. Future.
Want to take charge of your finances? The Army's Financial Readiness Program (FRP) and Consumer Advocacy Services can help with comprehensive educational and counseling programs. Learn about debt, consumer advocacy and protection, money management, credit, financial planning, insurance, and consumer issues. Through classroom training and individual counseling, participants can learn how to save and invest money, establish savings goals, eliminate debt, and save for emergencies.
We offer:
Here are some other financial resources for Soldiers and their Families:
(Government Links)
(Non-Government Links, No Endorsement Implied)
Your Financial Road Map for Military Life
Click Here for Financial Literacy Milestone Training online. After Course Completion, participants will receive a certificate.
