Military and Veteran Strategies
Military & Veteran Strategies
From someone who has been there.
Ben Batiste served as a U.S. Marine and in the U.S. Army. He understands the financial landscape that military professionals navigate because he has lived it — the unique compensation structures, the benefits that require active management, the transitions that civilian advisors rarely understand, and the pace at which military careers move.
Most financial advisors are not equipped to advise military families well. They do not know what BAH means in the context of housing decisions. They have never had to explain the Blended Retirement System to someone weighing it against a legacy pension. They cannot speak to the specific tax advantages available to service members in combat zones, or what a VA loan means for a family’s long-term financial picture.
At Crestmark, military and veteran families are always welcome — regardless of where they are in their financial journey. This work matters to Ben personally, and that shows in how it is done.
Areas of Focus
The strategies that military families actually need.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Optimizing TSP contributions, fund allocations, and eventual rollover decisions in the context of your full retirement strategy.
Blended Retirement System (BRS)
Understanding your pension, matching contributions, and how to maximize the BRS for your specific service timeline and retirement goals.
VA Benefits & Housing (BAH/VA Loans)
Incorporating BAH, VA loan eligibility, and related benefits into your overall housing and wealth-building strategy.
Transition Planning
Moving from active duty to civilian life is one of the most financially complex transitions a person can make. We help you plan it with the same precision you applied to your service.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
Evaluating SBP elections and how they fit into your broader life insurance and survivor income strategy.
Combat Zone Tax Exclusions
Maximizing the tax advantages available to service members deployed in designated combat zones, coordinated with your overall tax plan.