Military retirees can access additional financial perks beyond tax breaks, often overlooked but highly valuable. These include free or low-cost Space-A travel, multiple uses of VA home loans, annual COLA adjustments on retirement pay, commissary and exchange savings, and state-specific benefits like property tax exemptions and tuition aid. Many retirees miss out simply due to lack of awareness. By leveraging these benefits, military retirees can significantly enhance their financial security and maximize their well-earned resources.
Why Do So Many Retirees Miss Out on the Full Benefits?
You’d be shocked how many guys retire and leave money on the table. Not because they don’t qualify. Just because they don’t know. Or no one told them.
Here’s why that happens all the time:
- Military life was structured. Retirement? Not so much.
- Transition classes throw too much info at once. It’s overload city.
- Benefits are scattered across like five different government sites.
- No one teaches you to think like a civilian when it comes to finances.
That’s where this info comes in hot. We’re gonna cover other financial benefits for military retirees beyond tax breaks—and how you can stack these to create even more freedom.
1. Space-A Travel: Free or Dirt-Cheap Flights
Let’s start with one of my favorites—Space Available (Space-A) travel. If you like saving money and don’t mind being flexible, you’re about to save thousands in flights.
What it is:
- You get access to unused seats on military planes.
- It’s primarily for retirees, dependents, and active duty (when off-duty).
- Most flights are to places like Germany, Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.
I had a buddy in Texas who flew with his wife to Germany round-trip for under $50… total. That’s not a typo. Just be ready to roll with punches. Think of it like flying standby—but inside an Air Force budget airline.
2. VA Loans (Round Two… or Three)
Most folks think the VA loan is a one-time deal. Use it once, and that’s it. Nope. You can use your VA loan benefit multiple times.
If you’re trying to grow your portfolio or just want a great deal on a new place, this benefit is gold. Why?
- No down payment, if you’re under the loan limit
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
- Backed by Uncle Sam, so better terms than FHA or conventional
At this point, I’ve used my VA entitlement on three different homes—sold, reinvested, rinse, repeat.
3. Military Retirement Pay + COLA Magic
Some overlook this, but it’s big. Military retirement pay includes an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Translation? It grows with inflation. This might not sound sexy upfront, but wait until inflation spikes and your civilian buddy’s fixed pension looks like wet toast. With COLA locked in, you retain real-dollar value of your pension. Every January, boom—raise day. Add that to other financial benefits for military retirees beyond tax breaks, and you’ve built a foundation most civilians can’t touch.
4. Commissary + Exchange Privileges
These aren’t just some grocery-shop-on-base benefits. This is straight-up cost savings thousands skip out on. You get:
- 5–20% lower prices than civilian stores (yeah, even Walmart)
- Tax-free purchases on most items
- Exclusive brands like Freedom’s Choice = more savings
I met a retired Army guy last year who saves around $3K annually just shopping on base. He’s got a system. Buys in bulk. Uses coupons. Maximizes those privileges like a pro. These cost-savers fly under the radar, but they stack up quick.
5. State-Level Financial Perks You Never Hear About
This one’s a sleeping giant—your state benefits. Most retirees don’t realize how much varies from one state to another. Some states offer:
- Property tax exemptions—or huge discounts
- Tuition aid for your kids through state-funded vet programs
- Discounted vehicle registration or driver’s license fees
- Priority hiring in public-sector jobs
Example? Texas doesn’t tax retirement pay. Neither does Florida. Meanwhile, Illinois gives full tuition waivers to vets’ kids if they serve 1–4 years active duty. The problem? This stuff is buried in state websites. No one’s pushing this info. But it’s there. You just have to look for it—or ask vets who’ve been there. Shout out to the Pease Family Veteran Services Center in New Hampshire—they helped unlock over $180K worth of education funding for my friend’s two sons just last year. That’s what I’m talking about.
FAQs
Can I combine VA disability with retirement pay?
Yes. If you have a VA disability rating of 50% or higher, you get Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP). That means full retirement and full disability pay—no offsets.
How do I find state-level benefits?
Start with your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs. Or use NASDVA’s tool to locate resources. And check local veteran service officers (VSOs)—they know what’s buried in legislation.
Is Space-A safe and available year-round?
Yep, it’s safe. But availability depends on mission requirements. You’ll need flexibility and backup plans. Most retiree-friendly flights come out of hubs like Dover, Travis, and Andrews AFB.
Can I use my VA loan more than once?
Yes. Once the previous loan is paid off and the entitlement restored, you can use it again. You may also carry multiple VA loans if you meet eligibility requirements—that’s how investment-minded vets scale.
Can my dependents access these benefits too?
Absolutely. Commissary, Exchange, Space-A, even some education and healthcare benefits extend to spouses and kids. Just make sure ID cards and DEERS enrollments are squared away.
Closing Thoughts
This is just part of the puzzle when it comes to other financial benefits for military retirees beyond tax breaks. Stay locked in—we’ll go deeper next, stacking your retirement income with smart moves that keep working for you long after you’ve hung the uniform up.
