THE BEST OF 2025: 10 MILITARY BENEFITS ARTICLES SERVICEMEMBERS LOVED THE MOST

For servicemembers, benefits are not abstract policy debates. They are the paycheck that clears on time. The housing allowance that determines which neighborhoods are even possible. The clinic you rely on after a PCS. The airport line that finally moves faster when you are traveling with orders, kids, and stress in tow.

As we head into a new year, understanding the most important military benefits changes is more than staying informed—it is about protecting your pay, your housing options, your health care continuity, and your family’s stability in 2026.

At MyBaseGuide, we focus on what benefits changes mean and where they matter most: real duty stations, real families, and real decisions servicemembers are forced to make under constant movement and uncertainty.

Throughout 2025, some stories cut through the noise. They were shared, saved, and revisited because they answered urgent questions about money, housing, health care, and quality of life. Together, they reveal the benefits shaping life on base.

So without further ado, here are the top military benefits articles of 2025—and the most-read story shows that sometimes the smallest changes matter most. Keep reading to the end.

#10 2026 Social Security COLA Delayed by Government Shutdown

While Social Security is not a DoD benefit, it plays a critical role for many military households, including retirees, wounded warriors, and families caring for disabled dependents. This article explained how a government shutdown delayed the announcement and rollout of the 2026 COLA increase.

For families relying on fixed income, the delay highlighted how political disruptions can affect household budgeting—even when increases are expected.

#9 Army Updates Continuation Pay: $10K+ Bonus for Soldiers

Bonuses became one of the most closely watched retention tools of the year, particularly for mid-career servicemembers weighing reenlistment decisions.

This article broke down how military bonuses work, who qualifies, and why MOS, timing, and contract length matter more than headlines suggest.

#8 DoD Confirms 2026 BAH Rates After Brief Leak: Here’s What’s Changing

Few topics generate more attention than housing allowances, and this article addressed early discussions and expectations around 2026 BAH rates. It explained how BAH is calculated, why it lags behind real markets, and why some locations consistently feel the squeeze.

Families preparing for PCS season shared this piece widely because it reinforced a critical lesson: BAH is a guideline, not a guarantee. Understanding that gap helps servicemembers avoid costly housing surprises.

#7 Understanding BAS Rates in 2025: What Service Members Should Know

Basic Allowance for Subsistence rarely gets the spotlight, but food costs affect every servicemember. This article clarified BAS rates for officers and enlisted members and explained the intent behind the allowance.

By putting BAS in real-world context, the story helped readers understand why it should be treated as a supplement—not a complete grocery solution—especially for families managing rising food prices.

#6 2025 DoD BAH Rates Announced: Key Changes Explained

The release of 2025 BAH rates set the tone for housing decisions across the force. This article broke down increases and shortfalls by region and explained why high-cost areas continue to challenge military families.

What made this story resonate was its focus on lived experience. It encouraged readers to compare allowances to actual rental markets before signing leases or choosing neighborhoods, reinforcing that planning ahead matters.

#5 The Warrior Dividend Explained: Where the $1,776 Payment Really Comes From and Who Qualifies

Few benefits stories caused more confusion than the Warrior Dividend. This article cut through speculation and explained where the payment came from, who qualified, and why it was not tied directly to BAH or base pay.

By clarifying eligibility rules and one-time payment risks, the piece helped servicemembers avoid building uncertain money into their budgets.

#4 TRICARE Prime: Keep Your Primary Care Manager When Moving

PCS moves often disrupt health care, forcing families to rebuild care teams from scratch. This article explained a major TRICARE policy update that allows some families to keep their Primary Care Manager even after moving.

The story resonated deeply with families managing ongoing care needs. By highlighting eligibility limits and regional differences, it empowered readers to ask the right questions early—before care gaps appeared.

#3 2026 Military Pay Raise: Congress Proposes 3.8% Increase

Military pay raise proposals shape expectations long before anything becomes law. This article explained the proposed 3.8% increase for 2026, what it would affect, and what it would not.

By emphasizing that proposals are not guarantees, the piece helped servicemembers plan conservatively and avoid budgeting around numbers that were not yet final.

#2 Leaked: 2026 BAH Rates Show 4.2% Average Increase

One of the most-searched benefits stories of the year followed the brief leak of 2026 BAH rates on DTMO's website on December 10th.

This article explained what was revealed, why the data was pulled, what the expected 2026 BAH trends would be, and where the BAH numbers jumped the most. For families, the leaked data offered a first glimpse of what 2026 could look like for PCS budgets, lease renewals, rental competitiveness, and neighborhood affordability.

#1 TSA Honor Lane: Fast-Track Security for Military Families

The most-read MyBaseGuide benefits story of the year was not about money. It was about travel benefits for military families, service members, and Veterans. This article explained the TSA Honor Lane, a program offering dedicated security lanes for service members, Veterans, and military families at select airports.

This article quickly became a favorite, as it addressed a constant stressor of military life—travel. For families moving on orders or taking rare leave, even small quality-of-life improvements make a meaningful difference.

Why These Stories Matter—and What Comes Next

Across every article, one theme stood out: stability matters. Servicemembers are not just watching numbers—they are watching whether systems work when it counts, during PCS season, medical transitions, paydays, and crowded travel days.

Heading into 2026, the servicemembers best positioned to succeed will be those who track benefits early, ask questions before reenlistment or PCS decisions, plan conservatively when changes are still proposed, and stay connected to trusted military reporting.

At MyBaseGuide, our mission is simple. We explain what is changing, what is real, and what it means for you—so you can make informed decisions wherever your service takes you.

Tell us what benefits you want explained in the new year. Your questions shape our coverage, and your experience drives what we report next.

Suggested reads:

• The End of the Penny & How it Will Affect Prices at Exchanges
• Why PCS Season Strains Military Family Finances, Even With BAH Reimbursements
• Hegseth Orders Overhaul of Military "Spiritual Fitness," Redefines Chaplain Role