Written by: Kristen Jowers, MS, and Nichole Huff, Ph.D., CFLE
When service members and their families understand the full value of their military compensation, they are better equipped to make informed decisions, reduce financial stress, and strengthen their overall readiness. As service providers, you play an important role in helping families recognize, access, and maximize the benefits available to them.
Supporting financial readiness requires an understanding of the laws, programs, and entitlements that contribute to military compensation beyond a service member’s basic paycheck. These may include the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), the Military Lending Act (MLA), the GI Bill, VA Home Loans, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). By translating what each of these mean for service members and their families, connecting them to trusted resources, and helping them navigate complex systems, service providers can support financial stability throughout a military career and beyond.
#BeyondBasicPay
The Department of War’s 2026–2027 Military Compensation Educational Campaign, #BeyondBasicPay, highlights the full range of financial benefits available to service members and their families, including allowances, healthcare, education benefits, retirement programs, and other forms of compensation. The campaign responds to findings from the 14th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (DOD, 2025) that suggest, while military compensation remains highly competitive, many service members and families do not fully understand its total value. By increasing awareness of and access to accurate information, #BeyondBasicPay supports service members, families, and community partners who contribute to long-term financial readiness and stronger military communities.
Discover more about education, health care, and non-monetary benefits on the Department of War Compensation Education website and download the media toolkit for ready-to-share materials designed to strengthen awareness of military benefits. Building military financial readiness depends on partnerships among military leaders, educators, service providers, Extension professionals, and community organizations working together to support military families.
Save the Date: 6th Annual Military Family Readiness Academy
The 6th Annual Military Family Readiness Academy (MFRA) will explore how communities can strengthen their capacity to support military families through partnerships, collaboration, and enhanced infrastructure. This year’s Academy, Building Strong Communities for Military Family Readiness, will provide professionals with strategies and resources to strengthen their work with military-connected families. To learn more and register, check out this year’s MFRA on Building Strong Communities for Military Family Readiness.
References
U.S. Department of War. (2026). 2026–2027 Military Compensation Educational Campaign Overview. militarypay.defense.gov
U.S. Department of Defense. (2025). The Fourteenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation. https://militarypay.defense.gov/Portals/3/Documents/QRMC_14_Vol1_final_web.pdf
Resources
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/servicemembers/the-servicemembers-civil-relief-act-scra/
DoDTAP (n.d.) https://www.dodtap.mil/dodtap/app/home
Military OneSource. (2025, January 10). Military financial & legal support. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/
Office of Military Compensation and Financial Readiness. (n.d.) FSA comparison chart. https://finred.usalearning.gov/assets/downloads/FINRED-FSA-ComparisonChart-FS.pdf
Office of Military Compensation and Financial Readiness. (n.d.) Talking to service members about flexible spending accounts. https://finred.usalearning.gov/assets/downloads/FINRED-FSA-Senior-LC-HighRes.pdf
Office of Military Compensation and Financial Readiness. (n.d.) Basic Housing Allowance. https://finred.usalearning.gov/Benefits/BAH
Veterans Affairs. (2025, February 21). Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI). https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/sgli/
Veterans Affairs. (2024, November 29). About GI Bill benefits. https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/
