What happens when a fellow Army veteran discovers his TSP was losing $8,000 annually to unnecessary fees and poor allocation? After 20 years of service, he deserved better. So do you.
Here's what nobody tells you at your separation briefing: You've earned one of the most comprehensive retirement packages available, but it comes in pieces that don't naturally fit together.
Think of it like being issued gear from three different supply sergeants who never coordinate—one hands you NVGs, another gives you a compass, the third provides maps. You have everything needed for the mission, but nobody showed you how to integrate them.
Most accomplished Army veterans I work with have:
Military pension (High-3 or BRS)
TSP balance averaging $50,000-$150,000
VA disability compensation (often tax-free)
Civilian 401(k) from post-military career
Social Security eligibility approaching
The challenge isn't having enough—it's orchestrating these benefits into a symphony rather than noise.
YOUR THREE-PHASE RETIREMENT BATTLE RHYTHM
📊 PHASE 1 (Ages 45-55): RECONNAISSANCE
Your Mission: Build maximum TSP wealth during peak earning years
Key Actions:
Max TSP contributions ($23k + $7.5k catch-up at 50)
60-70% in growth funds (C/S Fund)
File VA disability claim
Review allocation quarterly
📊 PHASE 2 (Ages 55-62): TRANSITION
Your Mission: Bridge the gap between military retirement and Social Security
Key Actions:
Optimize Social Security timing
Shift to 40% G Fund
Plan healthcare bridge (pre-Medicare)
Consider Roth conversions
📊 PHASE 3 (Ages 62+): FULL RETIREMENT
Your Mission: Coordinate all income streams for maximum tax efficiency
Key Actions:
Strategic TSP withdrawals
Optimize Medicare elections
Sequence withdrawals by tax impact
Annual review & adjustments
THE BOTTOM LINE: The difference between a mediocre and optimal TSP strategy? Maybe
5 years of extra retirement freedom.
Joshua Brooks, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Fee-only fiduciary (I'm legally required to put your interests first)
Your Mission. Your Money. Our Guidance
Joshua Brooks founded Exponential Advisors LLC, a forward-thinking financial planning firm based in Weatherford, Texas. As a Certified Financial Planner® professional with over a decade of experience in personal finance, Joshua is passionate about empowering clients to achieve financial freedom and live their best lives. His mission is to provide comprehensive, innovative financial solutions with a personal touch, integrating cutting-edge tools like digital assets and AI-driven insights into traditional financial planning strategies.
Here's the secret sauce: Your VA disability compensation doesn't count as income for Social Security calculations.Neither does it affect your tax bracket for TSP withdrawals. You might want to reread those two sentences.
This creates a powerful planning opportunity. By strategically timing your TSP distributions around your tax-free VA benefits, you can potentially save thousands in taxes annually while maximizing your Social Security benefit.
An Army veteran client can restructure his withdrawal strategy this way and reduce his annual tax bill by $4,200—money now funding his grandchildren's 529 plans—college money.
Faith, Family, and Financial Freedom
Scripture tells us, "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?" (Luke 14:28). Your military service taught you the value of planning. Now it's time to apply that same discipline to your financial future.
But this isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about freedom—freedom to serve your community, support your church, travel with your spouse, and leave a legacy for your children.
Just as you planned every mission detail in service, your retirement deserves the same operational excellence—but now the mission is your family's future. Your retirement plan should reflect your values, not just your account balances.
Your Next Mission
You didn't serve 10, 20, or 30 years to struggle with retirement planning. You've earned these benefits. Now it's time to maximize them.
Three things you can do this week:
Log in to TSP.gov and CHECK IF YOU'RE in the default G FUND (losing potential gains) - Takes maybe 5 minutes!
Calculate your combined retirement income from all sources
Identify your biggest retirement concern (healthcare? taxes? legacy planning?)
Remember: The same discipline, integrity, and strategic thinking that made you successful in uniform will serve you well in retirement planning.
Stay exponential,
Start Building Your Wealth Today
Book your Free Assessment to learn how we simplify your planning, maximize your military benefits, and implement digital assets—all tailored to your goals.
P.S. What's your biggest concern about retirement planning right now? Hit reply and let me know in one sentence. I read every response personally and often address common questions in future newsletters.
The information provided in the "Exponential Purpose" newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be construed as, investment, legal, or tax advice.
The content is not a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell, or hold any security or financial product. All views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Exponential Advisors LLC. You should consult with your own qualified financial, legal, and tax professionals before making any decisions based on information contained in this newsletter.
Mission-driven financial intelligence for veterans, believers, and builders. Get battle-tested strategies that merge military precision, biblical wisdom, and cutting-edge wealth creation. Your money should serve your mission.
