From the Wharton School, offering a comprehensive assessment of the political and financial dimensions of public-sector pensions from the colonial period until the emergence of modern retirement plans in the twentieth century.

You don't have to pursue another career in government or the corporate world once you leave the military. Indeed, if you understand your key military benefits as well as fine-tune your finances, you should be able to chart a new arid exciting post-military life! That's the central message running throughout this revealing book for servicemembers, veterans, and their families who want to become financially independent prior to committing themselves to full-time retirement and plan accordingly. Semi-retired at age 41 and enjoying life with his family on the beaches of Hawaii, the author outlines how military personnel can become happily semi-retired regardless of their age. Emphasizing the importance of family, lifestyle, and bridge careers, Doug Nordman goes a long Way in providing answers to one of today's most important questions for transitioning military - ôWhat do you want to do with the rest of your life?ö Dispelling numerous myths about military transition, finances, and retirement. He focuses on the two most important inflation-protected benefits military retirees and their families receive and can build upon for creating a financially independent and semi-retired lifestyle: military pension TRICARE health system He shows how to build a sound financial house based upon: military benefits investment portfolios part-time work savings bridge careers 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 semi-retirement and/or full-time retirement Book jacket.

An introduction to the DoD's new BRS, with helpful information for servicemembers about whether to opt-in.

The U.S. military has been continuously engaged in foreign conflicts for over two decades. The strains that these deployments, the associated increases in operational tempo, and the general challenges of military life affect not only service members but also the people who depend on them and who support them as they support the nation â€" their families. Family members provide support to service members while they serve or when they have difficulties; family problems can interfere with the ability of service members to deploy or remain in theater; and family members are central influences on whether members continue to serve. In addition, rising family diversity and complexity will likely increase the difficulty of creating military policies, programs and practices that adequately support families in the performance of military duties. Strengthening the Military Family Readiness System for a Changing American Society examines the challenges and opportunities facing military families and what is known about effective strategies for supporting and protecting military children and families, as well as lessons to be learned from these experiences. This report offers recommendations regarding what is needed to strengthen the support system for military families.