Military Saves Week focuses on financial future Published Feb. 21, 2014 By Donovan Jackson 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- As part of a national initiative to help military families better manage their fiscal responsibilities, Maxwell will host events during Military Saves Week, Monday through March 1. Military Saves Week is a Department of Defense-wide financial readiness campaign to persuade military service members and family members to save money every month. The week is part of America Saves, the larger, nationwide campaign. This year's theme for Military Saves Week is "Set a Goal, Make a Plan, Save Automatically." "These three simple steps can bring financial security and stability to families," said Twanfran Jackson, a personal financial readiness consultant at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. "In order to assist them in progressing through the steps, the Airman and Family Readiness Center will host a series of free luncheons. The luncheons will focus on providing Maxwell and Gunter personnel with information that can help reduce personal debt and increase savings, thereby ensuring financial readiness." According to Jackson, active duty service members and federal employees have an opportunity to save automatically for retirement by contributing a percentage of their paycheck toward the Thrift Savings Plan. In addition, setting up an allotment makes it very easy to have an automatic savings program. "We are simply trying to help everyone increase their savings while simultaneously decrease their debt," Jackson said. Events Noon-1 p.m. Monday, Maxwell Airman and Family Readiness Center: Taking a Closer Look at Your Social Security lunch-n-learn, featuring guest speaker Dr. Kylle McKinney from the Social Security Administration. McKinney will talk about the ins and outs of social security retirement income. This will be a question and answer session on social security benefits. This event is intended to prepare members for retirement, and retirees will walk away with a better understanding of benefits. Registration ends today. 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, River Front Inn, Maxwell: Financial Wheel of Fortune, a trivia game quizzing Airmen's financial knowledge. Gift card winner every 30 minutes. 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Aviation Inn, Gunter: Financial Wheel of Fortune. Gift card winner every 30 minutes. Noon-1 p.m. Friday, Community College of the Air Force, Gunter: Plan to Prosper (The Intelligent Use of Credit) lunch-n-learn. Roger Knauff, CEO of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Alabama, will give members realistic approaches to paying off debt and living a debt-free lifestyle. Also, Knauff will provide information on where people can go for help if experiencing an unbearable debt load. The first 20 people to register will receive a free lunch. Register by Wednesday. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 1, base exchange: Savers Pledge Drive. Receive a free credit report and credit score with a pledge to save. Pledge drive encourages members and families to build wealth and avoid debt.