Wednesday, October 9, 2013

By military, for military: A look into AAFMAA

Today I am spreading the word about a great website for active duty military, veterans and their families. Last week, Kara Carlson, Marketing Coordinator, contacted me from AAFMAA in hopes that I would share their story on my blog. I could not pass up this opportunity to share something so important to my fellow military families. Below is an article that Kara wrote on the Facts page of the AAFMAA website:

Secure our Military Families during Reduction in Force

In my job at AAFMAA, I get calls from friends in the military seeking guidance about what to do for their families if they are affected by the drawdown—big choices about life insurance, retirement benefits, survivor services and much, much more. Many military members across our country face choices in the days ahead that could have a permanent impact on the security of their families. The costs of poor decisions could be high and they know it.
As a blogger on the issues facing our military service members, you know that poor decisions are caused by bad information. You can help protect these men and women by informing them about their rights and their options. We at AAFMAA believe that the only way to combat uncertainty is with certainty.

I’ve assembled a few potential story lines below about the questions many will be asked and how
AAFMAA can help answer them. Any of these stories could be the difference between a secure financial future for your readers and one that is less so.

I hope you can help spread the word that members of the military do have rights and they do have a choice.

I know I speak for many when I say that if you served your country—if you put your life on the line for your country—then household budget issues like higher life insurance premiums should never stand in the way of family security. Have a look and feel free to borrow anything you like, or to contact me if you need any additional information.

Thank you.

Kara


AAFMAA offers so much to members of the Armed Forces and their families. They offer stability for families, low-cost insurance, low-cost loans, spouse services, wealth management and plenty of member benefits to their members. Below is a little introduction into each of these categories:
 
1. Stability
-AAFMAA was found in 1879 after "Custer's Last Stand"
-More than $1 billion in assets
-90,000 members
-Membership Eligibility       
-All ranks of Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force who are:
          Active Duty (or within 120 days after separation)
          Guard or Reserve (full or part time)
          USMA, USNA, USMMA, USCGA, and USAFA cadets or midshipmen
          ROTC contract/scholarship cadets
          Retirees
          Honorably Discharged Veterans residing in Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, or Virginia.
- Notable AAFMAA members include:
  • General John J. Pershing
  • George C. Marshall
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Carl A. (Tooey) Spaatz
  • Omar N. Bradley
  • William C. Westmoreland
  • Creighton W. Abrams
  • Walter T. “Dutch” Kerwin
  • Michael S. Davison
  • H. Norman Schwarzkopf
 
2. Low-cost Insurance
AAFMAA offers some of the lowest-cost insurance in the business. The details of our plans, our costs and our benefits are considerably different than anything available in the commercial marketplace

And yet, price should not be the only comparison. All insurance policies are not the same and military families have to understand what they are getting for what they pay. Many commercial plans have exclusion clauses that mean they don’t have to pay if the policyholder dies in battle, by an act of terrorism, or in an aircraft crash, for instance. Not only are AAFMAA life insurance policies less expensive than the competition, they also have no exclusion clauses. AAFMAA coverage is available up to $1,000,000 regardless of the dangers faced.
 
All AAFMAA Life Insurance Policies Include:
-Competitive rates for service members and military spouses
-Survivor Assistance Services for members’ spouses
-No war, terrorist or aviation clauses, exclusions or surcharges
-No coverage limitations based on deployment status
-Coverage available up to $1,000,000 ($800,000 term)
-Continuation after separation or retirement from the Military (as policy allows)
 
3. Low-Cost Loans
Everyone knows the feeling of being stretched a bit too thin at times. AAFMAA offers low-cost loan program known as CAP, which dishes-up as much as $4,000 in cash at just 1.5% interest to help service members get through hard times. These loans are for AAFMAA members who are on Active Duty, including Guard and Reserves in pay grades E5-E9, WO1, CW2 and 01-03. Other requirements apply.
 
4. Spousal Services
The loss of a loved one is the greatest challenge a military family will face. Dealing with these decisions would be hard enough, but to make life-long choices in a time of anguish can be overwhelming. AAFMAA Survivor Services is there with sound and caring advice and a steady hand in navigating the maze of benefits and entitlements.
Losing a loved one is never easy. AAFMAA’s Survivor Assistance Services Team helps with immediate, personal and knowledgeable assistance.
 
-Notify DFAS of the member’s passing and assist widows and widowers with all necessary forms
-Initiate the life insurance policy death claim and discuss settlement options
-Notify the Veterans Administration of the member’s passing and assist with all necessary claim forms when applicable
-Claims Initiation and continuous follow-up
SpouseLink.org by AAFMAA
6. SpouseLink.org
The military is more than a collection of individuals. When they serve, their families serve, too. Only AAFMAA offers SpouseLink.org, an invaluable online tool connecting and strengthening the broad network of military spouses who hold these families together. For advice, the latest news from the military community or just a sympathetic ear, SpouseLink.org is the place for military spouses.
 
7. Member Benefits
As one of the AAFMAA family, you have access to a range of services to help you through every stage of life—in the military and beyond. Our Member Services Team offers expert guidance on military benefits and entitlements. Our Survivor Assistance Services Team offers compassionate and caring assistance in difficult times from the moment of death notification through the surviving spouse’s entire life.
  • Digital & Physical Vault Document Storage
  • VA Disability Claims Coordination
  • Military Benefits Analysis and Transitions Readiness Assessment
8. Wealth Management
For over 134 years, AAFMAA has had the best interests of its members at heart. Our Wealth Management experts work closely with you to develop and implement a plan appropriate for your—and your family’s— specific financial situation and goals.
Financial Planning:
Buying a home. Saving for college. Retirement planning. We all have financial goals we want to achieve. From financial road maps and cash flow analysis to retirement and estate planning, we can help you plan for a secure future
Investment Management:
Managing and growing your hard-earned money is key to a secure future. Our experts help determine your optimum investment strategy, define and manage a portfolio customized for your goal
Trust Services:
A well drawn trust manages and distributes assets on behalf of its beneficiaries. As your trustee, AAFMAA Wealth Management and Trust works to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

- See more at: http://www.aafmaafacts.com/#Introduction

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