Okay, it’s settled.  You’re leaving the service.  In order to accomplish a successful stress-free transition, you’ll want to clear some space on your calendar.  Decide now how much time you will invest in the process of creating your future.  This will be time spent primarily accomplishing the activities in this book as well as anything else you must do before you leave the service.  Can you commit a couple of hours a day or a week to your transition?  Maybe you have 30 minutes at lunch, or an hour before dinner.  It could be a couple of hours early on Saturday mornings.

No time?  You can make some by letting go of other activities temporarily.  Put aside the bowling league for a season or step down from your leadership role in the sailing club.  Now please don’t sacrifice your sanity!  If bowling gives you an outlet for stress and you enjoy spending this time with friends, keep doing it.

Ask yourself what is the most important thing in your life right now.  Which activities will move you quickly through this transition and which will slow it down?  (Your answer will depend largely on how much time you have remaining in uniform.)

This is part of a complete step-by-step military retirement checklist. I’ll be posting weekly action steps here, so please subscribe over in the right-hand column so you’re sure to get each update.

One of the biggest shocks after leaving the military is how much you’ll be paying in Federal and State taxes.

In the military, approximately 35% of your pay was not subject to taxation. Once separated or retired, all of your income will be subject to being taxed, including your retirement retainer.Please talk to a civilian tax accountant/ strategist before you leave the service. Get an accurate picture of your immediate financial future. Project which tax bracket you will be in and adjust your withholdings as appropriate.

Take action now to protect as much of your income as possible.

From pay to the GI Bill, from VA home loans to health care, your military service has earned you valuable military benefits. Whether you’re on active duty, a veteran or retiree, Military Benefits makes using your military & Veteran benefits easy.

Check out this website today!  It’s the most extensive list I’ve seen for “one-stop shopping” to ALL the benefits available to you.