The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement

by Doug Nordman

Taking Bob Dylan’s lyrics as a departure point – “A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do” – this book provides servicemembers, veterans, and their families with a critical road map for becoming financially independent prior to committing themselves to full-time retirement in their 60s or 70s.Indeed, taking himself as a prime example, the author outlines how military personnel who are retiring in their early 40s can become happily semi-retired and thus avoid the necessity of pursuing what is often a less than fulfilling second career in government or the corporate world.Emphasizing the importance of family, lifestyle, and bridge careers, the book goes a long way in providing answers to one of today’s most important career transition “What do you want to do with the rest of your life?”Dispelling numerous myths about military transition, finances, and retirement, the book focuses on the two most important benefits military retirees can build upon for creating a financially independent and semi-retired • military pension• TRICAREIt shows how to build a sound financial house based upon military benefits, savings, investment portfolios, bridge careers, part-time work, and frugal living.Filled with examples, checklists, recommended websites, and a rich collection of appendices that deal with inflation, multiple income streams, and the value of a military pension, this ground-breaking book is essential reading for anyone contemplating retiring from the military or jump-starting their post-military career in the direction of sem-retirement and/or full-time retirement.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

I retired from the U.S. Navy's submarine force in 2002 after 20 years of active duty. My spouse (a Navy Reserve retiree) and I have lived on Oahu since 1989, and we raised our daughter Carol here.

Carol and I are authors of "Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence." Our "stories around the kitchen table" share our specific tactics for helping you teach your kids to manage their money... and then give them the financial incentives to save and invest.

I wrote "The Military Guide To Financial Independence And Retirement" with the advice & stories of over 50 other servicemembers, veterans, and families. All of my writing revenue is donated to military charities.

I enjoy surfing, writing, reading, taekwondo, and home improvement. And grandparenting!

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid introduction to financial planning for the military member.

As a guy who retired from the Navy Reserve a few years ago, I found most of its advice to be OBE (overtaken by events). However, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to those still "in" and planning for their own retirements.