Questions...

[Jayson69]

So in anyone's opinion...( Feel free to chime in everyone..) Is it better to get a severance rather then retire or simply for the TriCare? I could care less about post privies but TriCare would be the most beneficial to me. Also I could use a severance to pay everything off. So which is better?

Your Crazy, The retirement could pay for your Tricare. If you live another 40yrs, the money will add up more than severance. Plus certain states does certain things for benefits. If I was to move to Arkansas, my kids would go to school free and I would haveno property tax to pay.

 

[Jayson69]

Well I hate to to use this person's thread but it was a question I've asked myself. As far as post provide go I'm no where near an installation so the exchange and commissary don't really matter to me all that much. Like I said before tricare is the best thing about it for me but my wife can get insurance through her work so a severance would be nice. 2 of my conditions are combat related. My packet was sent to the PEB last week so I haven't found out any findings. We shall see. However the severance is a nice chunck of change

Boss, you could take retirement which could give make more money since you might live for 40 more yrs. As for thinking your wife can get insurance at work, she could also lose her job and have no benefits. If you have TriCare, she would be good till she dies. If you pass and you took SBP, she will recieve a check till she dies. My wife told my dad about TriCare about 10 yrs ago and he didn't listen. He had Walmart Insurance and what he paid over $450 month, which would cover TriCare for the year. If your wife is making good money, then you shouldn't even depend on your check then. The retirement would be a great nest egg when you guys decide to retire.

 

[grizz13]

Your Crazy, The retirement could pay for your Tricare. If you live another 40yrs, the money will add up more than severance. Plus certain states does certain things for benefits. If I was to move to Arkansas, my kids would go to school free and I would haveno property tax to pay.

Um you really need to check up on the benefits again Jayson69... Most of that applies to those that are rated at 100% from the VA.

 

[eagleone]

Um you really need to check up on the benefits again Jayson69... Most of that applies to those that are rated at 100% from the VA.

You are correct. Most States benifits are based on VA disablity not military retirement. I don't know about Arkansas (each State is different), but a disabled vet. in Utah, gets up to 100% off their property taxes (prorated on the Veteran's VA disability) for up to around a $220K home and other property taxes. Free in-state hunting / fishing licenses, and State parks are discounted or free based on VA disablity.

Tricare is the single most important federal benifit for military retirees. It is even more important to those Service Members that have been beat up in the service to our Great Country. Separated Service Members are not allowed to continue this extremely valuable benifit, and many insurance companies will not cover service related injuries "that is what the VA is for."

 

[barney5]

Retirement is much better. Tricare, alone, is probably worth $12,000 a year depending on the your current and future injuries. Not sure how much you care about having access to on-base activities, but the Exchange and Commisary are still good deals. There are also the MWR stuff available...

None of the above is available to a separated Service Member. It isn't all about the money, but a severance usually sucks financially. If you are separated, unless combat-related, you pay-back the severance in your VA checks. (Usually, no VA check until you pay the severance back) So for most, severance is just an advance of VA pay.

Lets not forget the Space A flights worldwide

 

[Jayson69]

Um you really need to check up on the benefits again Jayson69... Most of that applies to those that are rated at 100% from the VA.

http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2010/gov_signs_four_bills_at_veterans_homes. Arkansas doesn't have a CAP on how much you spend on a home. Missouri does have some things for Veterans and Active Duty. I could be exempt for 50% on taxes for my home in Colorado. I haven't done it for the simple fact I have a nice amount of funds I pay every month on my home which I claim on my taxes. There are benefits out there if you are Active Duty and Veterans.

 

[grizz13]

Yes I understand this, but the info you put out earlier can be sort of misleading. It's best to be ultra clear on benefits, someone new to the discussion may have a hope crushed on unclear info in the near future.

 

[Jayson69]

Not trying to crush anyone's hope. A lot of people don't put the time needed when it come to there heath issues. I am glad that there is a lot of people who are willing to help.
I wish knew this site was around when I 1st went through the process.

 

[AvnSgt]

Not trying to crush anyone's hope. A lot of people don't put the time needed when it come to there heath issues. I am glad that there is a lot of people who are willing to help.
I wish knew this site was around when I 1st went through the process.

Same here... If I had known about this site in 06/07 when I faced my MEB/PEB things could have been different.