Nearly 50% of military Veterans report that their transition out of the military, back into civilian life, was more difficult than expected. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult — with some planning and guidance, the process will go smoothly and be less burdensome.

It’s vital to plan ahead for medical and financial changes that will impact your life. When leaving the military, you may need to find a new source of income and healthcare. If you are retiring, you will have to make sure your financial picture is sound and you are able to afford living without a job.

Don’t forget to include your spouse and family in your planning as everyone will surely be impacted by your new situation.

To help you with your planning, we’ve compiled a guide that outlines the steps you can take and the timeline involved as you transition to civilian life or retirement.

Start Here: Download the AAFMAA Military Transition Timeline.

Checklist: Steps to Take in Your Separation from the Military

• □ Enroll in Transition Classes: Taking military transition classes is mandatory. The earlier you enroll in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), the more time you will have to take advantage of the knowledge and resources you learn from the class. Check your installation for the classes and seminars that are available. You can take the classes more than once, if desired, and in different service component so check your area for opportunities.
   
• □ Understand your benefits: Make sure you know exactly which benefits you have earned and the ones you are entitled to once you’ve transitioned out of the military, whether to civilian life or retirement.
   
• □ Gather Medical Records and Paperwork: Start gathering your medical records and be sure any chronic medical issues are present in your military medical record while you’re still in service. If not, now is the time to make an appointment to get them on record. Having all the proper paperwork ready and on hand will also help when you’re applying for disability claims. One of the best ways to keep this information handy is by storing it in a single location, such as the Digital Vault in the AAFMAA Member Center.
   
• □ Budget Properly: Where you live after your next move out of the military will also dictate how much income you need — not just what type of home you choose, but its location. Research the benefits you will be losing, how to replace them, and at what cost.
   
• □ Investments: Understand what to do with your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). If your new civilian position offers a 401(k), you’ll want to know what the matching contribution is so you can maximize your retirement savings.
   
• □ Review Your Life Insurance: Make sure your life insurance policy is updated, including beneficiaries and the amount of coverage, to adequately protect your family should something happen to you. For instance, SGLI ends when you leave the service. If you haven’t already secured alternate or supplemental life insurance coverage, you’ll want to do that to ensure your family is protected for the years ahead, affordably.
   
• □ Review or Create Your Estate Plans: Update or have new estate planning documents drawn up through the legal assistance office on your installation. You’ll want to have your will, power of attorney, medical directive, etc. in place as you transition out of the military.
   
• □ Continuing Education: If you have a GI Bill and want to enroll in college, speak with a career counselor or education service officer. Now is the time to transfer your GI bill to your dependents, if you want to do that. Organizations such as Vets2Industry and VetJobs can assist in continuing education and job placements.
   
• □ Certify Your Training: If your future career requires educational certifications, you can start earning them while you’re still on active duty. Take certification courses early in the transition process. Organizations such as PM-ProLearn can help in this process.
   
• □ Update Your Resume and Start Networking: When you transition to civilian life and start your job hunt, you’ll want your resume to showcase your assets and skills to potential employers. Updating or creating a LinkedIn profile can also help you connect with other Veterans and professionals in the field you’re interested in joining.

Timing: Making Your Transition Out of the Military

More than 12 months before retiring: Start determining your qualifications for retirement and eligibility benefits — and assess your finances so you can start paying down any debt.

4 to 6 months before retiring: Develop your transition plan and begin scheduling health and dental appointments. Consulting with a Veterans Affairs counselor will help you identify whether you should file a disability claim.

2 to 4 months before retiring: Submit your leave request as you start receiving retirement or separation orders. Use this period to gather and make copies of all your personnel records, and keep them in online storage, such as the AAFMAA Digital Vault, so you can access them from wherever you end up.

We Are Here to Help

Need guidance on replacing SGLI (Servicemembers Group Life Insurance), enrolling in the SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan), providing information about the VA (Veterans Affairs), and more? If you have any questions about making your transition out of the military, contact Member Benefits at 800-522-5221 to discuss life insurance options and for all AAFMAA policies include a secure Digital Vault, available 24/7 online, for secure essential document storage, including your DD-214 in the AAFMAA Member Center.