Military Benefit Association

Changes in 2011

2010-12-30T08:42:00.003-05:00

Several things that may impact our brothers and sisters still in uniform!

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

With the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell", service members can expect 2011 to be the first year gays can serve openly in uniform. The precise timeline remains unclear, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates has signaled that preparations for the change will take about a year. Be ready for a political battle between Pentagon leaders and activists for the gay community as
they wrangle over implementation details and the pace of change. Don't expect any new barrack construction projects for gay troops. But 2011 will probably be filled with new training session on how to work alongside gay troops and how commanders should respond to potential problems. Also, expect new reminders on the military's rules against public displays of affection for all troops, gay and straight.

Changes On Subs

Two changes will affect the Navy's undersea warriors in the upcoming year: female shipmates and no smoking. The Navy's first female submariners, now enrolled in the officer training pipeline, will begin arriving in the fleet at the end of 2011. They will join the ballistic-missile subs Wyoming and Maine and guided-missile subs Georgia and Ohio. Both blue and gold crews will receive two female officers, along with a female supply lieutenant who's there to serve as a role model. There are 21
women in training. Two more subs will be integrated in 2012, followed by one each year until 2015, according to the plan. There are no plans to integrate the more cramped attack subs, and the Navy is studying ways to integrate the enlisted ranks.
Another change will effect Jan. 1: The smoking light extinguishes across the sub fleet at the stroke of midnight.

Next SECDEF

The DoD is due for a major shake-up in 2011 with the retirement of Defense Secretary Robert Gates. On the job since 2006, before Iraq the surge of troops in Iraq, Gates said he plans to retire in 2011. That could have a big impact on Pentagon budgets, since Gates was among the strongest advocates for cutting some big weapons systems like the Air Force's F-22 and the Army's Future Combat Systems. For troops, the biggest may be whether Gates sticks around long enough to push for health care reform. Gates famously said the military's health care costs are "eating us alive", and some fear that will mean fees for Tricare beneficiaries. It's unclear whether Gates retire before the end of the surge in Afghanistan and controversial drawdown the White House promised for July.

Hill Changes

The 2010 congressional are a career-ender for many moderate to conservative House Democrats who had spent political their careers on military issues. In an election turn control of the House over to Republicans, the most prominent
among the defeated was 17-term Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, the House Armed Services Committee chairman, who had fought for improvements to professional military education and family support programs â€” and balked at any reductions in the size of the military. Five of the six most-senior Democrats on Skelton's committee were also defeated, as were 13 of 18 Democrats on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. However, the freshman class of incoming representatives, mostly Republicans include 18 veterans, nine of whom served in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Information Via AFVN American Forces Vietnam Network http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AFVN/message/62681

Veterans Day a Day to Remember

2010-11-10T15:33:00.001-05:00

All Americans remember and appreciate those who have served on active duty and thank them for their sacrifice and dedication to preserving our freedom. Veterans Day is an opportunity to commemorate the contributions of living veterans and is a day we fly the flag at full mast. Across the land, the grounds of virtually every state capital and county courthouse host monuments, memorials and plaques honoring those who served. They date back as far as the American Revolution and as recent as Iraq and Afghanistan.

As a nation, it is essential that we keep this date of November 11 as the one specifically reserved for the American people to demonstrate recognition in public or in private for the 23.8 million veterans living today.

Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have fully joined the ranks of America’s veterans, VFW generations who span WWI to the present day. We thank each and every one of you!

Liberty Mutual Quote For Hope

2010-10-05T10:32:00.000-04:00

Military Benefit Association members are eligible to participate in the Liberty Mutual Quote for Hope campaign running September 1 through November 30, 2010.
Partnering with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Liberty Mutual will contribute $5 to the fight against breast cancer for every auto, home and renters insurance quote completed. Visit www.libertymutual.com/qfh-mba or call 1-888-652-2145.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Foundation is the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

Who Should You Trust ?

2010-07-20T08:43:00.001-04:00

Who Should You Trust?
(For Supplemental Life Insurance)

It seems there is some confusion over the choices military members have if they want life insurance in addition to the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI). First of all, don’t let anyone tell you how much life insurance you need. No one knows your unique set of circumstances better than you do.

If you decide to buy life insurance, go with a reputable association sponsoring group term life insurance. The premium you are quoted will be the premium you will pay, providing your application is approved. Beware of a “bait and switch” offer where you are quoted very attractive premiums, but required to complete an extensive medical questionnaire. Consider this from Financial Web http://www.finweb.com/:

“When you first hear the terms and rates for the best term life insurance, the prices advertised are extremely low, generally speaking. The rates quoted in these ads are generally the preferred plus rates – for the customers in the best health.

“To get these rates, you must be in excellent health, not smoke or use tobacco, have no history of substance or alcohol abuse, be within the average weight category (not obese), have average (not high) blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

“The majority of people who get life insurance do not qualify for preferred plus rates, so when you compare rates, make sure you’re comparing the actual rate for which you qualify.”

Also, make sure you’re not penalized with a higher premium or no payout because you are in the military or have deployment orders. Good supplemental insurance for the military should not have clauses that limit payout for members on flight duty or when death occurs in an area of conflict.

Remember, whether or not you think you need additional life insurance now, you should have it prior to leaving the military. When you separate, your SGLI will terminate and you will be offered Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI). Compare the cost of VGLI coverage with your association-sponsored insurance. Chances are you can save money and have more benefit options available to you through the association. For more information on association-sponsored life insurance, contact 877-MBA-1020.

The Story and Origins of 'TAPS'

2010-06-18T13:51:00.001-04:00

In 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern. Suddenly, he caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his dead son’s uniform. This wish was granted. This music was the haunting melody we now know as “TAPS” that is used at all military funerals. In case you are interested, these are the words to “TAPS”:
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.

(Via http://www.nefla.com/military/stories.html)

Let Military Benefit Association help you 'strike' the right financial balance!

2010-03-29T15:14:00.004-04:00

Keeping the Right Financial Balance Can Be 'Tricky'. Let MBA Help You Strike That Balance.

Check out the New Electronic Application

2010-02-18T11:35:00.002-05:00

Military Benefit Association now offers a quick and easy online electronic application.

This exciting new application is available for active/retired Military (Term 90 ) and also Veterans (non-retired)(Veterans Patriot Term).

Our goal is to make the application process as straightforward and convenient as possible. The automated application uses advanced cryptography to protect your personal information. A virtual agent will guide you through the application process and upon completion you will be asked to review and electronically sign your forms. You will then be given the opportunity to print your documents for your records.

Visit www.militarybenefit.org to check availability in your state.
*Eligibility for coverage requires applicants to be under age 62 on the coverage effective date.

If you would like more information about MBA, our insurance programs and our member benefits, please visit our website or call us toll free at 1-800-336-0100

Check Out Some Of Our' Lift The Spirit Contest' Entry Ideas

2010-02-03T12:37:00.003-05:00

We thought it would be a neat idea to share some of our ‘Lift The Spirit’ contest entry ideas. We had some great entries, here’s some of them;

1) A printed calendar with pictures of my husband who is deployed and my children at home so each can keep a countdown of their re-union together. (This is a great morale booster)
2) A pre-paid phone card so my deployed spouse/father can call home easier to our family/son (This can really help lift the spirits of everyone)
3) A copy of a special movie we always watch together and quote incessantly! Also his favorite homemade cookies. (From a friend to remind him of home)
4) Gather my family together with recordable greeting cards so each family member can record a personal message/funny story/words of encouragement . Glue recent photos of family members in the cards. (Gives the deployed soldier fond memories of home. We loved this idea)
5) A special cake to tell him/her how proud we are and that we are always thinking of him. (This was one of our winners and we had the ’ WireACake’ company send a cake to Afghanistan)

IRS Drops and Gives You Ten…Military Tax Tips

2010-01-26T15:54:00.006-05:00

IRS Drops and Gives You Ten…Military Tax Tips

YES, it's that time of year again! It's Tax Season! With the exception of those serving in combat zones or stationed outside the U.S, most military service members and their families must file taxes by the deadline of April 15th 2010.

Here are 10 IRS tax tips military members can keep in mind to help with filing a tax return.

1. Moving Expenses If you are a member of the Armed Forces on active duty and you move because of a permanent change of station, you can deduct the reasonable unreimbursed expenses of moving you and members of your household.

2. Combat Pay If you serve in a combat zone as an enlisted person or as a warrant officer for any part of a month, all your military pay received for military service that month is not taxable. For officers, the monthly exclusion is capped at the highest enlisted pay, plus any hostile fire or imminent danger pay received.

3. Extension of Deadlines The time for taking care of certain tax matters can be postponed. The deadline for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing claims for refund, and taking other actions with the IRS is automatically extended for qualifying members of the military.

4. Uniform Cost and Upkeep If military regulations prohibit you from wearing certain uniforms when off duty, you can deduct the cost and upkeep of those uniforms, but you must reduce your expenses by any allowance or reimbursement you receive.

5. Joint Returns Generally, joint returns must be signed by both spouses. However, when one spouse may not be available due to military duty, a power of attorney may be used to file a joint return.

6. Travel to Reserve Duty If you are a member of the US Armed Forces Reserves, you can deduct unreimbursed travel expenses for traveling more than 100 miles away from home to perform your reserve duties.

7. ROTC Students Subsistence allowances paid to ROTC students participating in advanced training are not taxable. However, active duty pay – such as pay received during summer advanced camp – is taxable.

8. Transitioning Back to Civilian Life You may be able to deduct some costs you incur while looking for a new job. Expenses may include travel, resume preparation fees, and outplacement agency fees. Moving expenses may be deductible if your move is closely related to the start of work at a new job location, and you meet certain tests.

9. Tax Help Most military installations offer free tax filing and preparation assistance during the filing season.

10. Tax Information IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide, summarizes many important military-related tax topics. Publication 3 is available for download at IRS.gov or may be ordered by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

All information in this article is based on information supplied by the IRS in the Armed Forces Tax Guide.

2010-01-26T15:27:00.005-05:00

Hope for Haiti Telethon Hosted By George Clooney

2010-01-20T15:01:00.003-05:00

The Hope for Haiti telethon, to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake is being organized by Hollywood star George Clooney. The telethon will air live on nearly all major television networks on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. central time. Networks airing the concert include ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CNN, HBO and MTV.
George Clooney will be hosting the show from Los Angeles and Haitian-born singer Wyclef Jean will co-host the show from New York. CNN’s Anderson Cooper will broadcast live from Haiti during the event. Also Twilight star Robert Pattinson has signed on to present from London, UK. Other stars appearing will be Taylor Swift, Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Sandra Bullock and Shakira.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt may possibly be seen together again as both have signed on to present the Hope for Haiti concert.
It is still possible that concert organizers will be able to sign-up the rest of the Twilight trio –Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner – to hopefully attract younger viewers.

Here's some simple ways to help lower your heating bill through the winter months

2010-01-12T15:58:00.005-05:00

Did you know that heating could be 50% of your winter bills? Simple ways to help lower your heating bill through winter months

Heating can account for almost 50% of the average family’s winter energy bill. Make sure that your furnace or heat pump receives professional maintenance yearly. Set your thermostat to a comfortable 68 degrees. When going away for extended periods make sure to turn off the heat. Open your shades and drapes to let the daytime sun in, but be sure to close them at night. Move furniture away from outside walls. Close all heating vents in rooms not in use such as attic, basement, spare bedrooms etc. You can also add draft-excluders to your doors and windows where possible and wear warm clothes indoors.

MBA Board of Directors approve a refund of premium to MBA members in the amount of $1.15 million

2009-12-23T16:24:00.003-05:00

The Board of Directors of Military Benefit Association (MBA) approved a refund of premium to MBA members in the amount of $1.15 million. Premium refund checks were mailed December 2009. The issue of a refund of premium is possible due to the excellent financial health of the Association. Apply for MBA – sponsored insurance today. We are here to make sure your family’s future is secure!

Do you like getting a great Deal? Find Government Surplus Auctions & Sales !

2009-12-22T14:07:00.002-05:00

Do you want to find a great deal? Here are 5 web-sites that give access and information to auctions and sales of a variety of government surplus;

1) GovSales.gov is a catalog with items for sale from federal government: www.govsales.gov/html/index.htm
2) Bid4Assets is an online auction, selling a wide variety of surplus: www.bid4assets.com
3) U.S. Treasury – IRS auction of property seized by the government: www.treas.gov/auctions/irs
4) Military Surplus furniture, appliances, camping gear, jeeps, computers and more: www.drms.dia.mil/sales
5) Department of Justice: U.S Marshalls Service property seized by law enforcement www.usdoj.gov/marshalls

All the above web-sites were borrowed from the ‘Money Book’ First Edition

Another cool web-site that you may be interested in is ‘Operation Classifieds’ a brand new site that allows military families to advertize items to other military families throughout military bases worldwide at no cost: http://www.operationclassifieds.com

Military Benefit Association Scholarship Program

2009-12-14T16:27:00.002-05:00

This program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a department of Scholarship America. It is a nonprofit educational support and student aid service organization that assists in expanding educational opportunities and encourages education achievement. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, disability, or national origin.

Applicants for the scholarship must be dependent children of members of the Military Benefit Association. They must maintain a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent. Applicants must have a high school degree or GED and plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school by fall of the year in which the award is granted. Current full-time undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited school are also eligible to apply. Up to five $2,000 scholarships will be awarded each year.

Interested applicants must complete their application and send it to Scholarship America with current entire official transcripts of grades. The application must be postmarked by February 15, 2010. The applicant must gather and submit all necessary information and answer all questions thoroughly. Information received is considered confidential, to be reviewed only by Scholarship America.

Applications will be available in December 2009. To obtain an application, please contact MBA's Member Services department at 1-800-336-0100 or 703-968-6200 locally, extension 3. You may also submit a written request for an application to Military Benefit Association, P.O. Box 221110, Chantilly, VA 20153-1110.

"Lift The Spirits" November Winners Announced!

2009-12-12T18:58:00.003-05:00

Military Benefit Association's “Lift The Spirits” contest was launched November 1st to support the brave men and women deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thank you to everyone who submitted such great ideas! While MBA would love to honor all the November entries, we decided to carry out not one, but two ideas to lift the spirits. Our winners for November are Erin McQuaig from Nick town, PA and Kimber Stolz from Colorado Springs, CO.

We will be sending the gifts to Erin's husband and Kimber's fiance soon. Both men are stationed in Afghanistan.

To all our deployed troops, we send you best wishes for this holiday season.

If your name was not chosen, please enter again here. We will be selecting a new winner each month.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-18T14:21:00.004-05:00

There are so many ways to give thanks this holiday season. If you had $100, how would you use it to thank a loved one or family member who is deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan this holiday season? Through Military Benefit Association’s “Lift the Spirits Contest,” we can help you give a special thank you to your loved one. Visit http://www.facebook.com/MilitaryBenefit and post your suggestion on our wall for others to see – THEN post it to http://www.mbaevent.org/MilitarySupport to officially enter! We’ll take all your ideas, as different as they may be, and pick a winner at the end of each month.
Image courtesy holidays.kaboose.com

Excellent News from the DoD: Your Military Benefits are Improving

2009-11-09T22:53:00.003-05:00

As a member of the armed services, it can be tough to stay abreast of all the changes, especially as it relates to your benefits. MBA wants to help you sort through and better understand some of these changes as they occur. There have been two recent changes that will help you improve your financial situation: the increase in Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), and a new transferability option to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

So What's New in the World of BAH

BAH is a housing allowance for those living off-base. The amount is based on geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. The BAH rate increased an average of 6.9 percent for 2009! BAH tables are updated and released every year between December 15 and January 1. There are several types of BAH to satisfy various housing situations that occur among military members. For more information and to calculate your 2009 BAH rate, please visit the DoD information site and for types of BAH, visit militarypay.defense.gov.

Capitalizing On The Opportunity – Get More for your BAH Dollar

Have you ever thought about living off-base? This year’s expected 6.9 percent increase in BAH coupled with historically low interest rates provides uniformed service members with a unique opportunity to get into the housing market. The U.S. is experiencing a decline in inflation, from a 5 percent inflation rate to 1.3 percent, according to inflationdata.com. With this decrease in inflation and increase in BAH rates, uniformed service members now have more buying power. This presents an excellent opportunity to move off-base in the midst of lower housing costs and the lowest inflation rate in more than 54 years!

For a look at historic inflation rates, visit the USA Inflation Calculator.

What Should Uniformed Service Members Do

If you live on-base, take time to research housing costs near you to ensure you are getting the most for your BAH allotment dollars. Although house prices and rents have leveled off in some parts of the country since 2008, there are still other places where prices continue to fall. If you are thinking about buying a house, now may be the time to sit down with a financial planner to see what you can afford. If you are renting, what you agreed to pay a year ago for your rental might have been a good price then, but maybe there is a better deal today. Keep in mind BAH comes with individual rate protection, which prevents decreases in housing allowances, as long as the status of a uniformed service member remains unchanged.

For more on BAH, visit:

http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bahfaq.html - just FAQs
http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/BAH-Primer.pdf - All you want to know about BAH (you will need Adobe Acrobat to view this file)

Sneak Preview: Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability

Allowing career service members to transfer their GI Bill benefits to family members has long been one of the most requested items among military family readiness and advocacy groups and now it is finally a reality.

The buzz is out–look for further insight and tips on this new option that’s available to you! Follow our blog to see our post on Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability.

Lift the Spirits Contest--Launched Today!

2009-11-01T19:46:00.004-05:00

Do you want to lift the spirits of your friend or loved one who is deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll make your idea a reality for your servicemember. One winner will be chosen every month. Join our facebook fan page, http://facebook.com/MilitaryBenefit and post your suggestion on our wall for others to see–THEN post it to http://www.mbaevent.org to officially enter! You may enter as many times as you’d like with different ideas.

We will notify the winner of the month before the end of the following month. We will carry out the lucky winner’s idea and post it on our blogs: militarybenefitassociation.ning.com, militarybenefitassociation.wordpress.com and militarybenefitassociation.blogspot.com as well as our Facebook fan page.

Next announcement: December 1.

Lift the Spirits of Your Friend or Loved One Who is Deployed - Military Benefit Association May Be Able to Help!

2009-10-24T06:52:00.001-04:00

Do you want to lift the spirits of your friend or a loved who is deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan? On November 1st, Military Benefit Association will launch a new contest to show our support for those deployed as well as those who are stateside. Tell us what you have in mind to lift the spirits of your friend or loved one who is deployed. We’ll choose one winner every month

Please see our website and Facebook pages for more details and check back here on November 1st, 2009.
http://www.militarybenefit.org
http://www.facebook.com/militarybenefit

Financial Tips for Soldiers

2009-10-13T04:45:00.003-04:00

Holidays are right around the corner, and this year, many of us are more worried about travel and gift costs than the joy that the holidays should bring. Military Benefit Association has a few tips to help you get through the next few months and protect your financial well-being.

1. Verify your charities.

Be sure you know if your donation is tax deductible for you. Also, be sure to know how far your generous dollars are going--some donation dollars end up going to professional fundraisers, mailings, and callers while some are volunteer-run. Check out the charities you give to on the internet and call to make sure the charity is registered at www.nasconet.org/agencies. Unfortunately, some charities don’t have the infrastructure to help their cause even if you give them money. Others end up being scam artists that take advantage of the generosity of others. Other great information on charitable giving can be found here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel01.shtm

2. Register for online banking and overdraft protection.

Online banking is the easiest way to check your balances around-the-clock and make sure you're not overspending on gifts, travel, or other holiday necessities. Overdraft protection links credit cards to your checking account and bypasses $35-$50 overdraft fees in case you lose track.

3. Protect yourself from identity theft.

People lose and steal credit card information daily. One trick you can use to minimize damage is write "Ask for ID" on the back of the credit card in permanent marker (please avoid the magnetic strip and covering your signature). Cashiers will notice it and while you will have to show your id more often, it will protect you in case your card falls into the wrong hands. Many more helpful tips for avoiding credit and charge card fraud can be found here http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre07.shtm.

4. Protect and improve your credit score.

Many don’t know that it doesn’t take much to damage your credit score. This often happens around the holidays. It will be a new year, why not start it off with a fresh score? You get one free report each year from freecreditreport.com. If it is above 700, little needs to be done. Tips for improving your score are: pay off as much of your balance each month as possible, pay on time, and don't close old accounts. Part of a credit score is your available credit ratio, and an empty, paid off credit card is not a bad thing.

5. In debt? Pay attention to interest rates.

It would be silly to keep money in a checking account that is getting you only 1% interest when your credit card company is charging you 11% per month in interest. That's 10% you're losing on every dollar in your savings account. Pay off your debt before you start saving.

6. Plan for the future

If you're worried about what might happen to your family should you pass away unexpectedly, now is better than never to reconsider and enhance your life insurance plan. Visit www.militarybenefit.org to review life insurance available to military members, veterans, federal employees and their families.

From Box Office to Military Base: Watch Favorite American Shows, Play American Games Overseas

2009-10-07T16:09:00.001-04:00

It can be hard to stay entertained when overseas. The DVDs are in a foreign language. Your iPod freezes. Maybe you didn't have enough room in your bag to include all your favorite games and movies on your trip--and you know you miss classic board games from time to time. With the internet, it is now easier than ever to stay entertained away from home as long as you have internet access from time to time.

Hulu.com
For television shows, Hulu.com is great. You don't have to sign up and the clips are easy to view. The commercials are limited, so watching television shows on Hulu is easier than downloading it from the network's Web site--and it's free. Only drawback: not all television shows are on here, so you will have to download those shows elsewhere.

iTunes
You don't need an iPod to take advantage of iTunes. You can pay $1.99 for those television shows that are omitted from Hulu, and you can watch them on the easy-to-use iTunes program that keeps clips organized and ready to view.

Cinemanow.com
This site is the #1 movie download service in the world. Movies can be downloaded for $10-15 at the click of a mouse. Movies can be rented for $3.99 or pay-per-view if you don't want to own it forever and want to save a buck. New movies, old movies, and music videos are available on this site and will surely keep soldiers entertained for hours.

PublicDomainFlicks.com
This site is home to hundreds of oldies-but-goodies that are in the public domain. These full-length classic movies can be downloaded for free. Some of them star old Hollywood legends like Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra and Shirley Temple.

Youtube.com
Always a favorite, and a great way to stay in tune with mainstream culture from home, is Youtube. The drawback of Youtube compared to the other video sites is the inability to download favorite clips, so you will need a good internet connection to take advantage of the site.

Pogo.com
This free gaming site is home to hundreds of games and thousands more gamers. Classics like solitaire, checkers, and poker (with fun money) are played around-the-clock with people from all over the world. There are single-player puzzles and card games that will keep your mind sharp for bootcamp or combat. You will also find favorites from home that you wouldn't expect to see on an internet site--like Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.

AddictingGames.com
For simple but addicting games, this site is for you. This site is home to sports-themed computer games, puzzles, pong-type games, and skill games like Greyhound Tycoon. If you have internet access and are craving a cheap thrill, visit addicting games and get hooked on something for a few hours.

MBA: Fighting to Secure the Financial Future of Military Families

2009-09-15T15:54:00.002-04:00

Just as you are on the front line fighting for our security, Military Benefit Association (MBA) is fighting to secure the financial future of military families. Even in a volatile economy and with military action in two foreign countries, MBA-sponsored life insurance is rock solid.

Since March 2003, over $23 million has been paid to the beneficiaries of 146 members killed in military hostilities. Each death is a tragedy, but that's why we're here. You keep fighting and we will, too. MBA appreciates your service to our country.

We are committed to continuing to improve our ability to provide solutions for you. Please join us on our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Military-Benefit-Association/264579270155?ref=ts ) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/militarybenefit ) to provide us your view on how we can tailor our products/services better to meet your needs.

Vote Now for two new Directors and 52nd Annual Meeting

2009-09-02T16:09:00.001-04:00

The 52nd Annual Meeting of the members will be held on Friday, October 16, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. at the Dulles Hyatt, 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd., Herndon, Virginia. The purpose of this meeting is to elect two directors. This meeting will also serve to transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting.

You may log on to your online account on www.militarybenefit.org to cast your vote OR simply return the proxy ballot that we recently mailed you. Biographies of the director nominees are included in the issue of LifeNotes that accompanies the ballot. If you have not yet received the ballot mailing, you will receive it shortly. Please be sure to also vote on the Articles of Organization revision included on the ballot.

If you're young and healthy, now is the best time to sign up for life insurance with MBA

2009-08-31T11:54:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Military Benefit Association

2009-08-27T15:22:00.000-04:00

Founded in 1956, Military Benefit Association (MBA) is one of the nation’s largest non-profit associations sponsoring insurance plans and other valuable membership benefits to the military and federal civilian communities. The purpose of the Association is to promote the welfare of its members, advance and safeguard their economic interests and generally to encourage and promote better financial conditions for its members.

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