10 Essential Financial Planning Tips for Military Members

Military personnel are Indian citizens who serve in the armed forces, ensuring our freedom and safety. We feel safe and sleep peacefully at night because we know that military personnel are awake at the country’s border to protect us from enemies. Military personnel spend a lot of time ensuring our safety, which may result in them not getting a chance to manage their finances properly.

For such military personnel, here is our blog. Today’s blog post will give you 10 essential tips for financial planning for military families.

Importance of Financial Planning for Military Personnel

Sound financial planning ensures financial freedom and a secure future for the armed forces members and their families. Having a financial plan will also provide you peace of mind. Financial planning is a process that involves various steps, such as setting, managing, and tracking your financial goals based on your income. Through a comprehensive financial plan, one can achieve their financial goals.

Financial Planning Tips for Military Members

Various financial planning tips that military personnel can follow to have a safe and secure future are given below:

1. Budgeting

The first step toward proper financial planning is to create a budget and manage all the expenses according to the income. One needs to identify all the sources of income, whether regular or irregular. Generally, an individual should aim to save at least 20% of their monthly income to fulfill their future needs and make provision for emergencies. 

2. Optimising Military Benefits

Military personnel are accommodated in cantonment areas, and some are allowed a house rent allowance (HRA). In India, military personnel’s children are also granted scholarships and fee concessions for education. Hence, this will help them save on costs and invest the saved amount.

3. Emergency Fund

An emergency fund acts as a financial buffer and is essential during financial emergencies. Setting aside funds for emergencies provides peace of mind and reduces stress during economic uncertainty. It also helps you maintain your current lifestyle and allows military personnel to handle emergencies without depending on anyone.

4. Debt Management

Debt management is essential for keeping finances in line. For this, they must make a list of all the debt, including the amount owed, interest rates, due dates, etc. After considering all the outstanding debt, you can reduce unnecessary expenses and free up more money to pay off debt. Military personnel should also ensure timely repayment of debt to avoid any late fees.

5. Retirement Planning

In India, the retirement age for military personnel ranges from 52 to 60 years, depending on rank and other criteria. They can plan their retirement by investing in equities, which can give high returns over the long term. After retirement, they can also start their businesses. For retirement planning, equity investments can be the most suitable option for long–term growth. One can consult a financial planner or financial advisor for advice.

6. Enhancing Knowledge

In the world of finance, there are various assets, and one needs to consider the correct investment vehicle that suits one’s risk profile and investment goals and understand its associated risk. To do this, they need to continuously work on enhancing their knowledge through various financial workshops and attend training sessions online. 

7. Managing Large Expenses

To prepare for large expenses, one needs to have a well-defined plan and make provision for such costs beforehand. For example, if military personnel wish to purchase a house, they must save and invest in the early stages of their career.

8. Risk Planning

Proper risk planning is essential for military personnel because of the risks they face during their services. They must opt for a comprehensive life insurance policy to protect the future of their family members.

9. Tax Management

Managing the tax is a key tool for successful financial planning, as there are various options through which military personnel can save tax on their income by reducing their taxable income. As we all know, two tax regimes are available in India, and one must consider the most suitable regime. They must also keep themselves updated about the changes in tax laws and regulations and can consult a tax expert for further information.

10. Will

A will is a key document in financial or estate planning. This statement states how a person’s asset will be transferred to their legal heir or family members in case of death. In the absence of a proper will, conflicts might arise in the family. Having a will gives you peace of mind that your financial assets will be transferred according to your wish, helping you ensure a secure future for your family members.

Financial Planning for Military Personnel with Pocketful

To honour those who serve the nation, Pocketful is offering lifetime free brokerage across all segments for Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, including ex-servicemen and women. Now, you can start investing and trading in equities and commodities, which have the potential to generate high returns in the long run. This is an initiative by the company’s founders to thank the military personnel for their services to the country. 

Conclusion 

On a concluding note, military personnel spend their lives protecting us from our enemies, and it is our duty to help them in every possible way. They also need a proper financial plan to secure their family’s financial future, and the 10 tips mentioned in the blog will certainly help them. However, once the financial planning is done, it must be reviewed regularly and adjusted according to the changing circumstances. However, it is advised to consult a financial advisor before investing in the stock market.

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