Welcome to another episode of the Widow Life and Money Podcast, hosted by me, Daniel Kopp. Today, I am thrilled to host Andi Wrenn, who shares her powerful journey of becoming a military widow and transforming her deep personal loss into a mission to aid other widows, particularly within the military community.
In this heartfelt episode, Andi opens up about her incredible journey from managing government contracts in personal finance to becoming a beacon of support for Gold Star Widows. She candidly shares her own experiences of grief following the untimely passing of her husband after his medical retirement from 27 years of active duty. Through Andi’s story, we explore the financial and emotional challenges faced by widows, the overwhelming paperwork, and the importance of seeking professional help.
Andi also discusses the financial benefits available to Gold Star Widows, such as the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and education benefits like the Fry Scholarship. We dive deep into the nuances of these benefits, their implications, and how best to manage and optimize them with the help of financial professionals.
This episode is not just about benefits; it’s about resilience, community, and the importance of finding your support network, whether through programs like TAPS or by leaning on veteran service organizations. Andi’s insights into grief, brain fog, and the layers of challenges that come with losing a loved one offer invaluable perspectives for those navigating similar paths.
Affiliated Links Mentioned During the Podcast:
| Resource | Description | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Andi Wrenn’s Website | Andi Wrenn’s personal website. | andiwrenn.com |
| TAPS | Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. | taps.org |
| GriefShare | Faith-based bereavement support organization. | griefshare.org |
| VA.gov | Dept. of Veterans Affairs main website. | va.gov |
| VA Reps/VSO Search | Find accredited VSO reps, attorneys, or agents. | VA.gov/accreditation |
| VA SGLI Extension | Forms for Service Members’ Group Life Insurance. | VA.gov/SGLI |
| Military OneSource | DoD program for services, counseling, resources. | militaryonesource.mil |
| Online Survivor Benefits Report | Accessing your OSBR via Military OneSource. | militaryonesource.mil/OSBR |
| DFAS Death Gratuity | Information on the Death Gratuity payment. | militarypay.defense.gov |
| Tricare for Survivors | Overview of Tricare health care benefits. | tricare.mil/survivors |
| Max My Interest | Tool for high-yield savings under FDIC limits. | maxmyinterest.com |
| Tunnels to Towers | Mortgage payoffs for Gold Star families. | t2t.org/gold-star |
| American Red Cross | Assists with federal and state benefits applications. | redcross.org |
| Gold Star Wives of America | Support for wives of deceased military personnel. | goldstarwives.org |
| National Military Family Assn | Resources and support for military families. | militaryfamily.org |
| Blue Star Families | Support and resources for military families. | bluestarfam.org |
| Children of Fallen Soldiers | Assistance for children and families affected by loss. | cfsrf.org |
| Five Wishes | Document for end-of-life care and planning. | fivewishes.org |
| The Conversation Project | IHI resource on end-of-life planning conversations. | theconversationproject.org |
| Wise Stewardship FP Blog | HEART Act Roth IRA planning information. | wisestewardshipfp.com/HEART |
Gold Star Widows Financial Planning with the HEART Act Roth IRA