ALCOAST 125/20 - APR 2020 MILITARY SAVES MONTH 2020

R 061638 APR 20                   
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//                             
TO ALCOAST                   
UNCLAS//N01000//                      
ALCOAST 125/20
COMDTNOTE 1000  
SUBJ:  MILITARY SAVES MONTH 2020
1. The Military Saves Month campaign occurs from 1-30 April 2020.
Military Saves Month is a worldwide financial movement used to support
and motivate military families to save money, assess financial behaviors,
and build wealth over time.
2. Military Saves Month allows the Coast Guard to join forces with federal,
state, and local resources to encourage financial action and behavior changes.
Weekly saving themes include: save automatically; save to retire; save with
a plan; save for the unexpected; and save by paying down debt.
3. During these uncertain times, Military Saves Month reminds members to
consider: adjusting spending plans or budgets to reflect any income or expenses
changes; assessing whether emergency funds are adequate and accessible
(to cover 3-6 months of expenses); contacting any lender and creditors if the
inability to pay a bill occurs; and reviewing retirement funds to ensure
sufficiency with the time horizon and risk tolerance to meet financial goals.
Blended Retirement System (BRS) participants are encouraged to evaluate monthly
contributions and make sure to obtain the full government matching. Members
contributing less than 5% of their monthly pay are not receiving the full matching
contribution.
4. The USCG Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP) is available to provide
financial education, counseling, and resources necessary to empower Coast Guard.
members, civilians, and their families with reaching their financial goals.
Resources include:
    a. Personal Financial Manager (PFM): PFMs are Coast Guard civilians that
hold an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) designation and are the designated
subject matter experts in all areas of personal finances. PFMs are located at each
Health, Safety, and Work-Life Regional Practice (HSWL-RP). If your local PFM is
not available at your location, please reach out to your unit Command Financial
Specialist.
    b. Command Financial Specialist (CFS): CFSs are military members appointed by
the Commanding Officer to provide financial education, basic budgeting, and
information referral at the command level. CFSs are located at many centralized
units throughout the Coast Guard.
    c. CG SUPRT Financial Wellness Money Coach: Money coaches are able to
provide free one on one confidential financial counseling. Contact CG SUPRT at
855-CG SUPRT (247-8778) or www.CGSUPRT.com and ask to speak with a Money Coach.
    d. CG SUPRT Financial Wellness Education: Offers onsite classes and webinars on
various financial topics. Request onsite classes by reaching out to your local PFMs.
    e. Office of Work-Life, Personal and Financial Management Program website at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-
Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/
Personal-Financial-Management-Program-PFMP/.
5. For supplemental resources and information regarding Military Saves Month and
taking the military saves pledge, visit https://militarysaves.org/.
6. The COMDT (CG-1112) POC is Ms. Joi Tann, Joi.E.Tann@uscg.mil or 202-372-1594.
The Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center POC is Ashley.H.Kampfe@uscg.mil
or 757-628-4777.
7. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director of Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.