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Gather Information

• Become familiar with helpful planning tools and materials.
  • Find everything about retirement from A to Z in the Army Retirement Planning Guide.
  • Read the “Change of Mission” newsletter for up-to-date information on policies and benefits relevant to Soldiers with 17 or more years of service.
• Consider where you want to retire to—will the decision be based on a desired location, a job or education opportunity or other variables?

Conduct Financial & Estate Planning

• Build an emergency fund over the next 24 to 36 months by calculating 3 -6 months of living expenses for your family.
• Use the U.S. Army's Financial Frontline calculators to determine how much your civilian salary needs to be to equal military take home pay. 
• Estimate your retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums and Survivor annuity using the calculator tools on MyArmyBenefits.
• Use the SBP planning tools on the DoD Actuary Page and the Army Retirement Services SBP information page to find out how SBP compares to a term life insurance policy purchased from a private insurer and other useful planning information.
• Research life insurance options available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as well as through commerical sources.

Research Health Care Options

• Use the TRICARE Plan Finder  to find TRICARE health insurance options for Retired Soldiers.
• Find FEDVIP dental and vision care options on the BENEFEDS website for retired service members.