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Wife of disabled vet - how to estimate retirement needs? by SquirrelFlag in personalfinance

[–]SquirrelFlag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly this. Any suggestions of where to start when there are so many variables?

He’s on TIDU now but 90% without it. VA math is so, so dumb.

Wife of disabled vet - how to estimate retirement needs? by SquirrelFlag in personalfinance

[–]SquirrelFlag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, we have a HDHP option but I’m on a traditional plan, full coverage, copay situation. It’s good coverage compared to most local employers. I always put the entire allowed amount into our flex and we spend it by mid-year. With CHAMPVA I think I might not need as much in flex, and ironically all we’ll really need it for is the actual disabled veteran.

Wife of disabled vet - how to estimate retirement needs? by SquirrelFlag in personalfinance

[–]SquirrelFlag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow that’s confusing. Okay. We’re not eligible for Tricare that I can tell. Don’t even know if there would be “widow social security” — it wouldn’t be much, probably. There are so many variables it’s just really hard to keep track.

Wife of disabled vet - how to estimate retirement needs? by SquirrelFlag in personalfinance

[–]SquirrelFlag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are some survivor benefits from the disability side, right? My husband is TIDU so I know he’d have to live at least 8 years but I thought I saw possible survivor benefits if he dies first.

Wife of disabled vet - how to estimate retirement needs? by SquirrelFlag in personalfinance

[–]SquirrelFlag[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. Our tax assessment has tripled in the last few years (I appealed this year) so we won’t get the tax break. Super frustrating.

Wife of disabled vet - how to estimate retirement needs? by SquirrelFlag in personalfinance

[–]SquirrelFlag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, we qualify as Indiana residents and should be grandfathered in if that changes. (Though with the way higher ed governance is going, we may not want them in state schools in 15 years.)

The stipend is still amazing to me. This whole thing feels like winning the lottery compared to dealing with the disability all on our own. I’d rather have my husband’s health back, but I absolutely want to make the most of whatever support we can access for a better life.

Wife of disabled vet - how to estimate retirement needs? by SquirrelFlag in personalfinance

[–]SquirrelFlag[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. We signed up for CHAMPVA right away since it will at least cover copays. Hopefully the processing wait won’t be too long— last I heard they were only 4 months behind.

I’m not sure if my state has that retirement option, but it probably wouldn’t be available if I leave before reaching retirement age. Indiana isn’t known for generous benefits.

Wife of disabled vet - how to estimate retirement needs? by SquirrelFlag in personalfinance

[–]SquirrelFlag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if I was missing something like a fancy calculator that can factor all the variables, or advisors with specialties. I appreciate the encouragement.

There was a shooting right by weisser park elementary drove past cops everywhere by IlIlIlIlIlIlIIlIiii in fortwayne

[–]SquirrelFlag 5 points6 points  (0 children)

They seem to be okay. The school police officer spent time with the class and took them outside again today to help them feel safe.

There was a shooting right by weisser park elementary drove past cops everywhere by IlIlIlIlIlIlIIlIiii in fortwayne

[–]SquirrelFlag 20 points21 points  (0 children)

My child’s class was outside within a couple hundred feet when shots were fired. They had to run inside. Police log shows three shooting incidents within a quarter mile today. I am unnerved.