Dark Guardian

When a service member dies on active duty, survivors can face an immediate wave of paperwork, phone calls, and decisions while still in shock. Misunderstandings can cost time and money. It is important for families to know that there are reliable monthly benefits designed to keep a household financially stable and medically covered. Survivor support tends to fall into four categories: Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) SBP is the Department of Defense's main monthly income-style benefit for...

Tax season can feel unnecessarily complicated for veterans and military families. Between VA benefits, military retirement pay, survivor benefits, and state-specific rules, it is not always clear what income must be reported and what does not.   The good news is that many veteran benefits are tax-free, and understanding the difference can help to avoid mistakes, reduce tax bill, and may even reclaim money.   Here is a breakdown of what veterans should know about taxes:   Understanding Taxable...

Veterans who receive higher-level benefits like Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), pension benefits, Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants, and those awarded the Purple Heart are being specifically targeted by scammers looking to take advantage of the increased compensation and the public visibility of these honors.   What Scammers Are Doing Bad actors use a range of tactics designed to deceive and exploit veterans ▪        Identity theft and fraud schemes – Tricking veterans into revealing...