Military Retirement around Fort Stewart & Hunter AAF: Frequently Asked Questions

Does Savannah Wealth Group work with military families?

Yes. Coastal Georgia is home to one of the Army's largest installations at Fort Stewart–Hunter Army Airfield, and we work with active-duty soldiers approaching retirement, retirees in their second careers, and surviving spouses. The military system — TSP, BRS, SBP, VA benefits — has its own vocabulary, and we speak it. Savannah Wealth Group is not affiliated with the DoD or any government agency.

Is it true Georgia stopped taxing military retirement pay?

Largely yes, starting with the 2026 tax year. Legislation signed in May 2025 raised Georgia's exemption on military retired pay to $65,000 per year at any age — previously, retirees under 62 could exempt far less. Combined with no state tax on Social Security and Georgia's general retirement-income exclusion at 62+, a military pension now goes a long way here.

For a retiree choosing between staying near Fort Stewart and moving to another state for tax reasons, the math just changed meaningfully in Georgia's favor. Verify current amounts with the Georgia Department of Revenue when you file.

What should I do with my TSP when I leave the service?

First, know that you don't have to do anything — and staying put is often a strong choice, because the TSP's investment costs are among the lowest of any retirement plan in existence. Reasons to consider rolling to an IRA include broader investment choice, more flexible withdrawals, and easier coordination with the rest of your plan.¹

Two cautions: money rolled to an IRA generally waits until 59½ for penalty-free access (while TSP allows penalty-free withdrawals if you separate in or after the year you turn 55), and any Roth TSP dollars need to land in Roth accounts. This is a compare-the-tradeoffs decision, not a default.

BRS or High-3 — what's the difference at retirement?

High-3 (legacy) pays 2.5% per year of service times your highest 36-month average basic pay — 50% at 20 years. The Blended Retirement System pays 2.0% per year — 40% at 20 — but adds TSP matching (up to 5% of pay: 1% automatic plus up to 4% matching) and mid-career continuation pay.

Most careers no longer get to choose — the system chose for you by your entry date — but the planning implication matters: a BRS retiree's TSP balance is a bigger share of retirement, so TSP decisions carry more weight.

Should I take the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)?

SBP pays your surviving spouse 55% of your covered retired pay for life, for a premium of 6.5% of the covered amount — and premiums stop after 30 years of payments and age 70. The alternative most families weigh is life insurance.

SBP's strengths: inflation-adjusted, lifetime, and immune to insurability problems. Insurance's strengths: flexibility and a benefit even if your spouse predeceases you. The right answer depends on health, ages, other income, and whether the survivor needs income for life or capital for a season — model it before the election, because it's largely locked at retirement.

How do VA disability and retired pay work together?

VA disability compensation is tax-free, and under CRDP (concurrent receipt), retirees with a 50%+ VA rating generally receive both their full retired pay and VA compensation. Combat-related conditions may qualify for CRSC instead, which can be more favorable.

The planning point: your effective tax picture in retirement depends heavily on the mix of taxable pension, tax-free VA compensation, and everything else — which changes Roth-conversion math and Social Security timing.

When should I take Social Security if I already have a pension?

A military pension usually strengthens the case for patience. Claiming at 62 permanently reduces the benefit by roughly 30% versus full retirement age (67), while delaying past FRA earns about 8% per year to 70 — and because survivors keep the larger of a couple's two checks, the higher earner's delay protects a spouse for life.

With pension income covering the floor, many military retirees bridge with TSP withdrawals and let Social Security grow. The right answer is a household calculation, not a birthday reflex.

I'm starting a second career. How should the new 401(k) fit with my TSP?

Capture the new employer's full match before anything else — it's an instant return no market can promise. Then decide where old balances live: TSP accepts roll-ins if you want everything in one low-cost place, or the new plan or an IRA may fit better depending on options and your withdrawal timeline.

Watch the details: Roth versus traditional buckets, beneficiaries after every life change, and the fact that your pension plus a salary can push you into brackets where Roth contributions beat pre-tax.

What happens to SGLI when I separate, and what about life insurance after?

SGLI ends shortly after separation; you can convert to VGLI without medical underwriting within a window — valuable if your health makes commercial insurance hard to get. If you're healthy, term life insurance is often significantly cheaper for the same coverage.

Price both before the VGLI window closes, sized to what your family actually needs once the pension, SBP election, and VA benefits are in the picture.

Do you work with surviving spouses?

Yes, and gently. Between SBP, DIC, Social Security survivor benefits, SGLI proceeds, and the TSP, a surviving military spouse faces a stack of decisions at the worst possible time. Our standing advice: beyond immediate bills, no major irreversible moves in the first months — get the benefits flowing, then plan deliberately.

What does a first meeting with Savannah Wealth Group look like?

A no-obligation conversation at our Statesboro office near campus, our Savannah office, or by video. Bring your ORP or TRS statement, any 403(b)/457(b) balances, and your questions. You'll leave with a clearer picture of your options — what happens next is up to you. Call (912) 999-1805 or email rob@savannahwealthgroup.com.

¹ If you are considering rolling over money from an employer-sponsored plan, you often have the following options: leave the money in the current employer-sponsored plan, move it into a new employer- sponsored plan, roll it over to an IRA, or cash out the account value. Leaving money in a plan may provide special benefits including access to lower-cost investment options; educational services; potential for penalty-free withdrawals; protection from creditors and legal judgments; and the ability to postpone required minimum distributions. If your plan account holds appreciated employer stock, there may be negative tax implications of transferring the stock to an IRA. Whether to roll over your plan account should be discussed with your financial advisor and your tax professional.