Memorial Day tips on saving and investing for veterans, and for everyone else for that matter

May 23, 2025 at 10:16 AM EDT

Veterans can face extra challenges when it comes to their personal finances, especially those who receive one-time or lump sum payouts from VA benefits.

The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs website, in conjunction with the SEC, offers a number of tips on saving and investing that are of particular interest to veterans, but are also generally good advice for everyone.

Here are the top items:

Pay off high-interest debt

If you do get a lump-sum payout, and you have high-interest credit card debt, consider paying that off first, since few investments will pay you the 15%, 20%, or 25% interest that credit and retailer cards can charge monthly.

Set goals and make a plan

The best way to attain financial security is by saving and investing over a long period of time. Your VA benefits may help you achieve long-term financial security. You can use the SEC’s Savings Goal Calculator to see how much you need to save each month to meet your goals.

Start saving and investing early

Starting on a path of saving and investing as early as possible can have tremendous long-term benefits. For example, if your goal was to save $500,000 for retirement at age 65, by starting at age 25 and investing in a mutual fund averaging a 7% return per year, you’d only have to save a little more than $200 per month to reach that goal.

If, however, you didn’t begin saving until age 50, you’d have to save more than $1,600 per month to have $500,000 by age 65. The lesson? Start investing now!

Take advantage of employer-sponsored plans

If offered by your employer, take advantage of your employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan. Your contributions are automatically deducted from your pay and often your employer also contributes in the form of a match.

These plans provide tax advantages either today (traditional) or in the future (Roth). The TSP is the federal government’s version of a 401(k) and one of your best options for retirement savings if you are still in the military.

Diversification is important

By picking a mix of investments, you may be able to limit your losses and reduce the ups and downs of your returns without sacrificing much in potential gains. Mutual funds and exchange traded funds can help you diversify because they invest in many different stocks, bonds other securities or assets, or some combination of these investments.

Always check out any investment advisor you consider

If you plan to use an investment professional, be sure to do a background check on Investor.gov and make sure the person is licensed and registered. Be careful of scammers who may appear legitimate and try to convince you that they are trustworthy because they go to your church, live in your communit, or are a veteran of your service.

Review tips on how to select a financial professional and contact the SEC if you have questions.

Be wary of any investment that sounds too good to be true

Claims that an investment is a “can’t miss” opportunity or promises “guaranteed” returns are classic warning signs of fraud. Be alert to any promise of high returns with little or no risk. Never invest before you have a chance to review the investment and do research. Remember that no legitimate investment requires a rash decision. Here’s more on how to avoid fraud.

Do your research

When considering investment opportunities, be sure to do enough research that you are comfortable that the investment meets your financial goals and risk tolerance. The SEC has a guide on Questions You Should Ask About Your Investments.

Don’t ignore fees

When choosing among investments, pay attention to fees because high fees can lower your returns over time. Even small differences in fees can have a significant impact on earnings over time. Make sure you compare the fees of mutual funds and ETFs. A good place to start is the FINRA Fund Analyzer.

Learn more

Investor.gov is the SEC’s website for individual investors and has tools and resources that you can use to help you make sound investments and avoid scams. Check out the VA Savings and Investing Basics for Military Personnel and Financial Readiness brochure.

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