The HEART Act

The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (The HEART Act) provides tax and pension benefits to service members who are disabled while on active duty for more than 30 days and to their survivors if they die on active duty.

The HEART Act requires employers and sponsors of qualified defined benefit and defined contribution plans, such as 403(b) arrangements, and section 457(b) education plans to treat service members as being reemployed by the sponsor company for purposes of entitlement. The purpose of this is to provide service members and their survivors for benefits they may not otherwise have been entitled for.

The benefits of the HEART Act depend on the specific benefits of the employer's plan documents and may include:

Accelerated vesting in retirement plans
Additional life insurance benefits
Survivor benefits, such as investment of Death Gratuity and Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) payments into Roth IRAs and Coverdell education savings accounts without ordinary limitations

Benefits Facts

TSGLI

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) provides a one-time, lump-sum, tax-free payment to Wounded Warriors who qualify.

Benefits Facts

G.I. Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible Service members and Veterans for programs such as: college, business, technical, or vocational school; apprenticeship / on-the-job training; correspondence courses; remedial, deficiency, and refresher training (in some cases); and flight training. You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years depending on the situation.

Benefits Facts

DTAP

The Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (DoD-TAP) provides information, access to important documents, and training to ensure Service members separating from Active Duty are prepared for their next step in life - whether pursuing additional education, finding a job in the public or private sector, or starting their own business. This redesigned TAP is the result of an interagency collaboration to offer separating Service members and their Spouses better, more easily accessible resources and information to make their transitions more successful.

Benefits Facts

Dual TRICARE and VA

When leaving active duty, Service members may be entitled to or eligible for benefits offered by TRICARE and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), depending on whether the Service member retires or separates.

Benefits Facts

Concurrent Military Retirement Pay and Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation, referred to as Concurrent Receipt (CR), allows military retirees to receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation.

Benefits Facts

ACS

Army Community Service helps Soldiers and Families by providing vital services and information during war and peace.

Benefits Facts

CYS

The Army Child and Youth Services (CYS) provides affordable childcare programs for Army Families. Costs are typically based on Family income. Programs range from daycare facilities to sports and fitness programs.

Benefits Facts

Deployment Support

Mobilization, Deployment and Stability Support Operations' mission is to provide training, information and assistance to Soldiers, Civilians and their Families to maintain individual readiness throughout the entire deployment cycle. Deployment and Mobilization provides guidance, resources and training for all; Soldiers, Civilians and their Families; to include parents, Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) members, Rear Detachment cadre and ACS/Reserve staff throughout the Army Deployment and Mobilization cycle. Whether supporting deploying units by providing pre-deployment information and material to Soldiers, Civilians and their Families; to providing reintegration and RESET training as they reconstitute their Family unit, the Mobilization and Deployment Team is there to provide support.

Benefits Facts

TSP

Benefits Facts

SCRA

The Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act provides Soldiers important rights that cover issues such as rental agreements, eviction, credit card and mortgage interest rates, and more.

Benefit News

Stay up to date

05/15/2025

This spring season, protect your Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2025 - During spring, many Veterans and beneficiaries are busy cleaning house. Spring is also a good time to clean more than your home by reducing paper and disposing of outdated electronic devices. While navigating what to keep and what to dispose of, it’s an ideal time to review the steps needed to protect your personally identifiable information (PII) and reduce the possibility of experiencing identity theft. This includes knowing how to protect your PII in the online environment, starting with validating who has access to your VA records, and properly disposing of paper and digital documents or no longer utilized electronic devices.

05/14/2025

TRICARE Is Your Partner in Mental Health Care

FALLS CHURCH, VA, May 14, 2025 - Suicidal thoughts can be experienced by anyone and are a serious mental health concern. Whether you’re a service member, veteran, family member, or retiree, it’s important to remember that mental health is just as crucial as physical health. Taking proactive steps to care for your mental well-being can make a significant difference. TRICARE is here to support you every step of the way.