Financial Resources
How to Set Achievable Financial Goals
The key to setting financial goals is to create intentional, actionable targets. Learn about the SMART framework and how to apply it to your financial goals.
Jul 23, 2026 | 4 min. read
First Command Military Retirement Planning
Preparing For Your Retirement
Financial Planning For Military Retirement
Developing a Military Retirement Strategy
The pursuit of financial security.
Many of us dream about retirement: taking leisurely vacations, volunteering our time, or even launching a small business. Our Advisors are specialized in financial planning for military retirement. They can help you develop a strategy that will ensure you pursue the retirement lifestyle you've always dreamed about. Our Financial Advisors will explain tax-advantaged investment options, establish a plan that leverages military retirement benefits, and meet with you regularly to monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments.
The new military Blended Retirement System is more complicated and less guaranteed than the old system. That means it will be more important than ever for service members to make smart, informed decisions at every step of their careers in order to be successfully prepared for the future.
Individual Retirement Accounts
Helping you save for the future.
IRAs are investment vehicles with particular tax advantages that can help you save for retirement.
Traditional IRA
Provided you meet the eligibility requirements, a traditional IRA offers the immediate benefit of tax-deferred contributions. It also provides the long-term benefit of a tax deferral on earnings. This means you pay no taxes on your investment earnings until you begin making withdrawals, which is usually after you retire and are in a lower tax bracket.
Roth IRA
Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, but if you meet certain requirements all earnings are tax-free when you, or a beneficiary, withdraw them.
SEP-IRA and SIMPLE-IRA
SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) and SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) plans offer tax advantages that help small business owners, their employees, and self-employed individuals save and invest for retirement.
Annuities
Providing a steady stream of income.
Annuities offer two distinct retirement-planning benefits: They can provide a guaranteed stream of income1 and don’t require you to pay taxes on earnings until you begin withdrawals in retirement (withdrawals made prior to age 59 1/2 may be subject to a tax penalty).
