Career and Financial

Seminars

Wednesday, May 12, 9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

5 Simple Secrets to Maximizing Your Post 9-11 GI Bill Benefits

The new Post 9-11 GI Bill is a powerful education tool for veterans, service members and - thanks to the new transfer feature - a service member's spouse and/or children. Unfortunately, some of the information "on the street" is not accurate and is leading service members to make critical mistakes in making the best use of this wonderful new benefit. 

Please join us for a fast-paced 90-minute educational session by one of the country's leading Post 9-11 GI Bill authorities that will cover: 

* The "must know" basics of the Post 9-11 GI Bill

* 3 GI Bill transfer mistakes that can cost you a bundle (and how to avoid them)

* Why using the benefit for your spouse while on active duty could be your best financial move

* How the new GI Bill works if you have MGIB, VEAP or Vietnam-era GI Bill benefits

* Developing your step-by-step action plan to using the Post 9-11GI Bill 

We have extensive Q & A time built into the presentation, so don't miss the chance to get your Post 9-11 GI Bill questions answered!

Wednesday, May 12, 2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

The Four Pillars of Successful Retirement

When should I take Social Security?  How much can I spend each year from my retirement accounts?  What is the best retirement income source to tap first? How do I structure my investments before retirement?  With the current financial crisis, answering these questions is key for long-term financial success.  This high-impact seminar looks at four key components of building a successful retirement plan, even in difficult financial times.  We will explore the integration of military/federal civilian retired pay, Social Security, the TSP, private sector 401(k)s and IRAs to create a retirement income stream that you can live with.

Deputy Director, Financial Education
Military Officers Association of America

Phil Dyer, CFP®, RLP® is deputy director, financial education at MOAA. Phil attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1985. He served on active duty as an armor officer with duty assignments in Germany and Ft. Knox, Ky., and achieved the rank of captain. After separating from active duty in 1990 to pursue opportunities in the private sector, he worked in pharmaceuticals sales as an institutional healthcare consultant.

He transitioned to financial planning in 1997 and specializes in financial education, employee benefits, and military-to-civilian transition educational programs. He has presented over 500 educational briefings for corporate, non-profit, military, and educational organizations over the last 13 years. He writes regular financial columns for Military Officer and Military Spouse magazines and is frequently quoted in the media on military financial planning issues. He resides with his family in Baldwin, Md.

The Military Officers Association of America’s “Marketing Yourself for a Second Career” transition lecture program was founded in 1982 and today MOAA provides over 150 lectures annually on military installations throughout the United States and overseas. It has a reputation as a “must attend” event for service members and their spouses three years or less from separation or retirement.  

The free presentation includes introducing the audience to the realities of the competitive civilian job market, perceptions civilian employers have regarding military personnel, a plan for job searching, tips for strengthening resumes, networking outlines, planning for and conducting successful interviews, and negotiating salary and benefit packages. All attendees will receive a free copy of MOAA’s Marketing Yourself for a Second Career publication. 

Deputy Director, Officer Transition Service

Military Officers Association of America

Brian Blanchfield earned his Bachelor’s degree and commission in the U.S. Navy Supply Corps from Villanova University.

He served for thirty years in logistics positions at the operational and strategic level.  Four tours afloat included frigates and logistic force ships.  Ashore, he had tours in a multitude of supply related disciplines, and served overseas in Naples, Italy and Guam in the Pacific.  He earned postgraduate degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson and National Defense University.  His final assignment was as a faculty member at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, from where he retired in 2004. 

After his retirement from the Navy, Captain Blanchfield worked for Lockheed Martin as a senior program manager, supporting defense clients in the Northern Virginia area. 

As Deputy Director of the Officer Transition Team, he regularly provides transition support presentations to servicemembers and spouses at locations throughout the country, and additional support to members from MOAA’s headquarters, located in Alexandria. 

Brian and his wife reside with their two daughters in Fairfax Station, Virginia.