Something happens when September arrives. The summer quiets down, the school year kicks back up, and life starts moving at a different pace. For veterans and military families, fall is actually one of the best times of year to pause, look at where things stand, and make sure everything is organized before January gets here.
I work with veterans and their families to help them understand the planning tools and protection options available to them. And one thing I have noticed is that most families are not behind because they do not care — they are behind because no one ever sat down with them and walked through what needs to be reviewed.
That is what this checklist is for.
This is not a complicated legal document. It is a practical starting point. Go through it yourself, share it with your spouse, and note anything that needs attention before the year ends.
1. Review Your Beneficiary Designations
This one matters more than most people realize. Beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and coverage programs do not automatically update when your life changes. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a spouse — none of those events automatically change who receives your benefits.
I encourage every veteran to pull out their policies and accounts and confirm the names listed. Make sure the beneficiary information reflects your actual wishes today, not what you filled out years ago.
If anything looks outdated, contact the appropriate institution and request an update. It is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your family.
2. Locate Your DD-214
Your DD-214 is your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. It is the document your family will need to access VA burial benefits, apply for veterans' programs, and confirm your military service record.
Do you know exactly where yours is right now? Does your spouse know where it is?
If the answer to either question is no, this is the week to fix that. Make a certified copy if you need one and store it in a place your family can find quickly. Scrambling to locate a DD-214 during a stressful time is something I want every family to avoid.
3. Confirm What Your Current Life Insurance Actually Covers
Many veterans have SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) or VGLI (Veterans' Group Life Insurance) coverage. But those programs have limitations, and they are not always the right fit for every stage of life.
I want you to ask yourself a few honest questions:
- Is my current coverage amount still appropriate for my family's needs?
- Does my coverage build any cash value, or does it expire?
- Would my family have enough to cover final expenses, outstanding debts, and time to adjust financially?
Supplemental whole life insurance is one option that many veterans explore alongside existing coverage. Unlike term coverage, a whole life policy builds cash value, does not expire at a certain age, and provides a guaranteed death benefit for your beneficiaries. Coverage, availability, and premiums vary based on individual circumstances and underwriting. This information is educational and is not a coverage recommendation.
4. Talk to Your Spouse About the Plan
I believe one of the most important conversations a veteran can have is the one they have with their spouse about what happens if they are no longer here.
That conversation does not have to be heavy. It can be calm, organized, and practical. But it does need to happen. Your spouse should know where your key documents are, what coverage exists, how to access accounts, and who to contact if something happens to you.
If that conversation has not happened yet, fall is a good time to have it. Start simply. Walk through where your important documents are stored. Review your coverage together. Make a list of questions you both want answered.
5. Review Your Living Will and Healthcare Preferences
A living will documents your healthcare preferences in the event you are unable to communicate them yourself. It can name a healthcare power of attorney and outline your end-of-life care decisions clearly.
Without one, your family may be left making difficult decisions without any guidance from you. That is a burden I want every veteran to spare their loved ones.
Our free Veteran Will and Burial Kit includes a living will template designed to help veterans document these preferences in writing. I am not providing legal advice here — every situation is different, and I recommend consulting with a legal professional for advice specific to your circumstances. But having something documented is almost always better than having nothing at all.
6. Understand What VA Burial Benefits Actually Cover
Many veterans and their families overestimate what the VA will cover for burial and funeral expenses. The VA does provide certain benefits — a headstone or marker, a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and in some cases a burial allowance. But the VA does not cover the full cost of a funeral or cremation in most circumstances.
The gap between what the VA provides and what a funeral actually costs is something families often do not discover until they are already in the middle of planning.
Understanding that gap now allows your family to plan accordingly. Final expense coverage is one tool some veterans use to help fill that gap. Benefit amounts, availability, and eligibility vary. I encourage you to ask questions and understand exactly what your family would need to cover before that day comes.
7. Request Your Free Veteran Will and Burial Kit
If you have not already requested the free Veteran Will and Burial Kit, this is the right time to do it.
The kit includes a living will template, a VA burial benefits guide that breaks down what is and is not covered, and a final wishes planner to help you organize account information, important documents, and personal instructions for your family.
It takes about 30 minutes to review your options with me, and there is no obligation. I created this resource specifically to help veterans and military families get organized without the confusion, the pressure, or the guesswork.
You can request your kit and schedule a time to go through it together at soldierslegacy.com/veteran-will-kit.
8. Organize Your Final Wishes Planner
Beyond the legal documents, your family needs practical information. Account numbers, login access, the location of your will, contact information for your insurance agent, funeral preferences — these details matter enormously when a family is trying to act quickly under stress.
A final wishes planner brings all of that information together in one place. It is not morbid. It is one of the most caring things you can do for the people who depend on you.
Fall Is the Right Time to Do This
Most people wait for the new year to think about this kind of planning. But January comes fast. If you wait until the holidays are over, you have already lost three months.
September is a quiet window before things get hectic again. Use it. Go through this checklist with your spouse. Note what is in order and what needs attention. Then take one step at a time.
My goal with Soldiers Legacy is to make this process as clear and as manageable as possible for veterans and their families. You do not have to figure it out alone.
If you want to go through your options together, I am here. Request your free Veteran Will and Burial Kit at soldierslegacy.com/veteran-will-kit and we will set up a time to talk.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage availability, eligibility, and benefits vary by individual circumstances. For legal questions, consult a licensed attorney. For benefit eligibility questions, contact the appropriate VA office or veterans service organization.
