It's Your Pension, Too
If there were options to secure the military pension, would you want to know?
For the military spouse, secondhand information isn’t anything new. So you routinely ask your own questions and find things out for yourself. (Typical, right?) But with military retirement on the horizon, that reflex matters more than ever.
The Survivor Benefit Plan is the most commonly elected option for protecting the military pension. But did you know that your notarized signature can also weigh in on the decision? That is, if you choose.
Your Pension Too: A Military Spouse’s Guide to Making the Survivor Benefit Plan a Choice, Not a Default offers a civilian perspective on government versus private options, helping you make a confident, informed choice to protect your family’s hard-earned pension.
Table of Contents
Opening Section
From the Author - updated as of June 16, 2026
Foreword - a preview
Introduction - Do you remember the last time you made a choice simply because you wanted to, not because you had to?
The Chapters
Reawaken Your Agency — Pause before you decide. Notice where you’ve been reacting instead of choosing, and give yourself permission to slow down.
Question What You’ve Been Told — Examine the common assumptions about the Survivor Benefit Plan, and understand your role in this decision.
Be Informed About the SBP — Understand exactly what it is, what your notarized signature means, and what happens if no decision is made before retirement.
Be Confident About the SBP — Run your own numbers. Calculate exactly how much it protects, and how much it doesn’t.
Consider a Second Opinion — Seek a civilian perspective on the SBP before retirement. You wouldn’t buy a house without a second opinion. The same care belongs here.
Consider Civilian Options — Explore and compare what the private sector offers, and decide if it’s worth a closer look.
Explore Your Options — Research other options in the private sector the same way you researched the SBP, with patience, questions, and an open mind.
Schedule the Call — Dream bigger than the decision. Reflect on what you want your civilian life to look like. Then, schedule the Discovery Call.
Be on the Call — Show up prepared, present, and ready to lead the conversation. You’ve done the work. Now, be on the call.
Closing Section
Epilogue — What happens on the call?
Appendix A — Resources by chapter
Appendix B — Susan’s responses to Chapter Seven’s questions
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About the Author
Jen Amos is a Gold Star daughter and Veteran Spouse. She’s also the co-owner of US VetWealth and award-winning podcast host of Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth. To learn more about Jen, visit our About page or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Bonus Book
Also included is the PDF download of Don’t Forget Your War Chest by Scott R. Tucker. E-9, O-5, and O-6 Editions are available. This is the military retirees’ guide to Survivor Benefit Plan alternatives, how to privatize, protect, and profit for your future.
Additional Resources
Sponsored by US VetWealth, check out our free additional guides covering the SBP decision, TSP strategy, and retirement income — each with built-in calculators, decision tools, and retirement analysis.