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Retired Military Finances 101: 4 Things to Consider Before You Move Closer to the Kids Thumbnail

Retired Military Finances 101: 4 Things to Consider Before You Move Closer to the Kids

Managing Your Finances

You retired from the military a while ago. Now you're retired, retired and thinking you might want to live closer to the "kids" Before you call the moving company, you might want to think through these 4 considerations.  

Consideration #1: Cost of Living

Do a cost-comparison between where you live now and the area in which you’re considering moving to. What are real estate prices like? You’ll want to determine how monthly expenses like health care and insurance will vary as well.

Check out local restaurants, grocery stores, shops and any other daily expenses that will impact your budget. 

Consideration #2: Housing

One of the biggest considerations you’ll need to make is what your living situation will look like. Will your child move you into an in-law suite? Or do you need to weigh the pros and cons of renting versus buying a home? When you’re looking for housing, you’ll also want to consider functionality. Will you be hosting celebrations and holiday dinners in your home, or do you primarily plan on spending time over at your child’s place? If so, then you may find it best to downsize to a condo or apartment.  

If you want to be able to have grandchildren sleepover, host Thanksgiving dinner and entertain friends and family, then you’ll want to look for a piece of property that can accommodate your needs.

Consideration #3: Resources & Discounts for Retirees

Some areas offer resources for senior citizens and retirees, such as community centers, programs and volunteer opportunities. If staying active in your community and connecting with other retirees is a priority, you’ll want to check ahead of time to see what opportunities are available to you.

Make sure you check with the State's Veterans Administration to see what benefits are available for military veterans. You'll also want to confirm if there are benefits based on your disability rating.

Additionally, you may find that the area you’re moving to offers added perks for seniors, such as discounts on public transportation.

Consideration #4: State and Local Taxes

If you’re considering staying in-state, checking into what your state and local taxes will look like may not be a top priority. But wherever you’re considering heading to, check into what you can expect your taxes to look like. In addition, you’ll want to look into other tax obligations including sales, property and estate taxes. Depending on where you move to, taxes can vary greatly across the board.

Don't just check the tax rates. Some states don't tax military retirement pensions and some don't tax Social Security. Others only tax a portion of military retirement pensions. And, of course, some don't give any tax breaks to military retirees.

If you’re struggling to determine whether or not you should move closer to a child, or if your budget will allow for it, you’ll want to speak with your financial advisor. Together, you can determine the best decisions for living comfortably in retirement. And if living near your children is a big priority in retirement, weigh the pros and cons and talk to your loved ones to see what the best next step should be. 

  1. https://www.nextavenue.org/move-near-grown-child-retire/

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