National Service Financial

20/07/2026

If I pass away, does my partner get a pension, a lump sum — or nothing?"
It's one of the most common questions we hear from our Veterans — and the answer is usually better than people expect.

Special Rate (TPI), your partner is generally granted the War Widow(er)'s Pension automatically — often no claim needed, paid fortnightly for life, not means-tested, and it usually brings a Gold Card too. Even with the VETS Act changes from 1 July 2026, that automatic grant for TPI veterans hasn't gone away.

Pension or lump sum? Under the MRCA a partner can often choose — ongoing payments, part or all as a lump sum (based on their age), or a mix.

The kids? Eligible children can attract an Orphan's Pension, plus education and training support.

And don't forget the second system: your military super (DFRDB or MSBS) may pay a separate reversionary pension on top.

What actually applies depends on your service, accepted conditions and super scheme.

20/07/2026

When you leave Defence, it's easy to leave entitlements behind with it.

There's up to $1,000 set aside for financial advice on transition — and most veterans never use it. Not because it isn't worth having, but because most planners won't do much with it: to them it's a small amount, and few of them understand the military.

We're doing it differently. Our Soft Landings Financial Strategy Programme starts with a Gap Report — a clear read on where you stand, the gaps to close, and the order to tackle them in. DVA, Military Super, incapacity payments, the tax side of separation, all in one place, before the decisions you can't undo get made.

We're now taking expressions of interest for the pilot. The first intake opens mid-August and is capped at 10 people, with a waitlist after that and monthly intakes to follow.

This is for you if you've discharged in the last 2 years — or you're planning to in the next 12 months.

To register your interest, email [email protected] or drop a comment below and we'll be in touch.

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Cheers

19/07/2026

17/07/2026

We restructured her debt to free up monthly cash flow, built a diversified investment portfolio, and helped her access a $10K per annum tax-free service pension through DVA. Her guaranteed income now covers all living costs with room to save.

Full episode link is in the comments!

16/07/2026

After 30 years of service he secured an $80K defined benefit pension, but that still left a $24K gap on his old take-home. We bridged it with reserve days that added $20K a year without burning him out, locking in $100K a year for life.

Full episode link is in the comments!

15/07/2026

Two weeks on, and nearly everything written about the VETS Act has been about claims.

If you're VEA and you were told "nothing changes for you" — That may not be the whole picture...

So the question isn't which Act you came up under. It's this: under the improved MRCA, where does your path lie now?

Click below to see the full picture

15/07/2026

The defined benefit and superannuation rules change, DVA is a complex beast, and the tax implications of getting it wrong can cost you thousands every single year. Whether you are currently serving, transitioning, or navigating a medical discharge, stop guessing and get a clear roadmap.

Full episode link is in the comments!

14/07/2026

DVA incapacity payment jumped this month?

Don’t panic !!

If you’re a DRCA veteran and your incapacity payment has gone up — or looks doubled — it’s very likely an unforeseen uplift from the 1 July transition under the new harmonised act (the VETS Act). For most, it’s a genuine increase, not a mistake.

Two things changed at once:

• You were automatically moved onto MRCA incapacity payments — more generous than DRCA, with the old 5% superannuation deduction removed and a remuneration loading added.

• The offsetting rules changed. The general rate of your Disability Compensation Payment is no longer reduced by your incapacity payments. Two amounts that used to net against each other now both land in full — which is why it can look like a doubling.

DVA has been clear that no veteran goes backwards under the transition, so for most DRCA veterans this is simply money you’re now entitled to.

Worth a quick check if your situation’s more complex — if you receive an above general rate pension (Special, Intermediate or EDA) or a CSC invalidity benefit, some offsetting still applies, so your uplift may look different. If you’re not sure how it changes your total income, it’s worth getting clear on.

Know a DRCA veteran on incapacity payments? Share this — plenty will be looking at their account this morning wondering what’s going on.

General information only.

14/07/2026

Super is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make — and one of the least understood.

Tomorrow morning I'm joining Tim Webster on 2SM to pull superannuation apart and make it make sense: the ins and outs, the bits that trip people up, and what actually matters for your money.

🎙️ The Tim Webster Breakfast Show
📻 2SM — 1269AM & DAB+
⏰ Tomorrow, 7:10am

Set an alarm and tune in. And if there's a super question that's been nagging at you, drop it in the comments — it might be one we get to on air.

General information only — not personal financial advice.

https://2sm.com.au/shows/2sm-breakfast/