Service comes with serious financial firepower.
BRS 5% match, tax-free combat pay you can put into a Roth, SCRA caps on civilian debt rates, and VA loans with $0 down. Most service members leave thousands on the table by not optimizing these.
Your priorities, in order
Review the full BRS 5% TSP match
Review the TSP contribution formula, vesting and fund choices. Contributing at least the eligible percentage may qualify for the full service contribution; verify current military plan rules.
Roth-side combat zone contributions
Combat pay is already tax-free. Putting it into Roth TSP means it grows AND comes out tax-free — a unique benefit no civilian has access to.
Use SCRA protections aggressively
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act caps pre-service debt rates at 6%. Call every lender (mortgage, auto, credit cards, student loans) and request the SCRA reduction in writing.
Plan a VA loan strategy, not just a transaction
VA loans allow $0 down, no PMI, and the entitlement can be reused. Some service members buy duplexes to live in one side and rent the other — house-hacking with no down payment.
Calculators built for this stage
Recommended reading
Frequently asked questions
Should I switch from Legacy High-3 to BRS?
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Can I contribute to both TSP and a Roth IRA?
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