Preparing for a Military PCS
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Manage Moving Costs
Navy Federal’s personal loans, credit cards and budgeting tools give you the flexibility and support you need to cover costs.
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Handle Your Home & Car
We know you have a lot of decisions to make fast, like what to do with your home and car. We’re here to navigate them with you.
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Prepare Your Accounts
You can accomplish much of your to-do list with us, from updating addresses to adding a Power of Attorney or transferring funds from overseas.
Products to Help You PCS
A little extra support can make your PCS smooth. We have products and tools for every step of the way.
Special Card Offer to Manage PCS Costs
Moving expenses can add up quickly. That’s why we’re offering a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases with a new Platinum credit card. After that, a variable APR between 10.99% and 18% applies.Footnote 1
Already have a Navy Federal credit card? You could receive a 0% APR for 12 months from enrollment on purchases. After that, your variable Standard APR applies.Footnote 2 Existing cardholders must have one of the following credit cards (cashRewards, cashRewards Plus, GO REWARDS®, Flagship, More Rewards or Platinum).
To be eligible for this offer, new and existing cardholders need to have:
- primary or joint ownership of an Active Duty Checking® account
with us - already PCSed in 2025 or received PCS orders in 2025 for an upcoming move
- never used this offer on any existing credit cards with us
Call 1-888-842-6328 or visit a branch to get started.
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Free Active Duty Checking®
When preparing for a PCS, every little bit counts. Our Free Active Duty Checking makes early payFootnote 3 and ATM fee rebatesFootnote 4
Open Now about Free Active Duty Checking®
standard issue for Active Duty, retired Servicemembers and reservists. -
VA Loans
VA loans offer many benefits perfect for a military move, like no money downFootnote 5 and no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). As a Top VA lender,Footnote 6 let us help you take advantage of the benefits you’ve earned and settle into your next home.
Apply Now about VA Loans -
RealtyPlus®
Partner with RealtyPlusFootnote 7 to make moving easier (and more rewarding)! Sign up to be connected to a real estate agent, and you may receive $400 to $9,000 in cash back.
Sign Up about RealtyPlus® -
TrueCar
Shop with our Car Buying Service, powered by TrueCar,Footnote 8 to find new and used vehicles wherever you move! You could save with special incentives on select vehicles. Plus, enjoy exclusive military discounts when you finance your car with Navy Federal.
Shop Vehicles about TrueCar -
Auto Loans
Need a car? You're in the right place. When you're PCSing, there's no time to waste—you could get a decision in seconds, plus we have great rates and a discount for Active Duty and retired military.Footnote 9
Check Out Rates about Auto Loans -
Personal Loans
A personal loan can be a great way to cover unexpected expenses. Applying for a personal loan is fast and easy, and you won’t pay any origination or prepayment fees.
Check Out Rates about Personal Loans
Determine Your Budget
- Price out your new life: Get a clear idea of just how much your spending will change. Use our PCS monthly spending calculator to track your current expenses and see how they’ll compare to your new duty station so you can make necessary adjustments.
- Research any arrangements you’ll need to make: Will you need childcare at your new station? Our partner Child Care Aware® will connect you with an agent to help you find options in your new area.
Plan for Upfront and Uncovered Expenses
- Familiarize yourself with what expenses are covered by the Department of Defense so you can be sure to claim your full reimbursement.
- Make a plan for non-reimbursable expenses you’ll need to pay for out of pocket.
If you’re able, set up a savings account specifically for PCS and set aside some money each pay period.
Use our PCS checklist for moving tips and a comprehensive to-do list
Relocation Assistance Program
We understand that sometimes a move requires some special assistance. Your local Relocation Assistance Program service provider can connect you with resources to prepare for your military move.
Mortgages That Have Military in Mind
If you’ll be living off-base and plan to buy a new home, we’ve got you covered with those that know how to PCS.
Review your military mortgage options and explore our services that offer:
- Experienced Loan Officers, available at 1-888-842-6328
- Remote/Hybrid closing support
- Mortgages unique to the military: VA Loans and Military Choice Loans
- Connections with experienced real estate agents near your duty station through our RealtyPlus program—they can help you buy a home and sell your current one if needed!
Vehicle Preparation
Selling your car?
- Avoid unexpected breakdowns (and non-reimbursable costs) by getting any preventative maintenance done ahead of your trip.
- Update your vehicle registration and insurance information.
- Get a value estimate for your current vehicle from TrueCar. You could get a cash offer from a local certified TrueCar dealer as well.Footnote 10
Buying a new car?
- Stateside—Check out Navy Federal’s Car Buying Service to get connected with TrueCar Certified DealersFootnote 11 around your new duty station.
- Abroad—Enjoy military-focused service when purchasing vehicles through Military AutoSource.Footnote 12
- You could get a great rate on a new or used auto loan and a decision in seconds when you apply with our app* or online.
Prepare Your Accounts
Get peace of mind by completing these steps ahead of your PCS, or give us a call and one of our dedicated member service reps can assist.
- Update your new address online or in the app.
- Set up Joint Owners, Authorized Users or Power of Attorney as needed. This allows you to give access to someone you trust, so your finances can always be managed even if you're not able to.
- Provide travel notifications. Let us know when you’ll be moving so our fraud team will know where to expect purchases and won’t flag legitimate charges. Don’t forget to add any layover locations. It takes seconds to notify us by choosing “travel notifications” in our mobile app.
- Record account information. Ensure you and anyone that may need them (like your spouse) has full access to your checking and saving account numbers, usernames and passwords.
- Review our branch locations to see if there’s one near your new duty station. If not, we have many ways we can assist you 24/7—online, on the phone or through the mobile app. See all your options.
- Make a plan for transferring money, especially if you’re stationed overseas. Different countries may have different policies. Review the ways you can make payments/transfers, including a very simple member-to-member transfer.
You’re Not Alone! Let Us Lighten Your Load
- Schedule an appointment with a free financial counselor
- Give us a call and speak to one of our member service representatives at 1-888-842-6328
More Resources
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Establishing Your Finances After a PCS
Follow these tips after a PCS move to get your budget back on track.
Learn More about Establishing Your Finances After a PCS -
A Guide to Dislocation Allowance (DLA) for PCS Moves
Find out how Dislocation Allowance can help cover your PCS moving expenses and how to make the most of this important military benefit.
Learn More about A Guide to Dislocation Allowance (DLA) for PCS Moves -
Nonprofit Trains MilSpouses to Build Portable Photography Businesses
Sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union, Portraits For Patriots® helps military spouses launch professional photography businesses, which they can run from any location.
Learn More about Nonprofit Trains MilSpouses to Build Portable Photography Businesses
Disclosures
As of 05/17/2025, rates range from 10.99% APR to 18.00% APR, are based on creditworthiness, and will vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate. ATM cash advance fees: None if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per foreign transaction. Offer excludes Home Equity Line Platinum credit cards and is limited to one Navy Federal credit card per member. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Navy Federal reserves the right to change or end this offer at any time.
↵Offer valid for cashRewards, cashRewards Plus, GO REWARDS, Visa Signature® Flagship, More Rewards, and Platinum existing cardholders. To be eligible for the 0% promotional APR on purchases, you must meet all offer criteria. For a purchase to receive the 0% promotional rate, it must be made within 12 months of enrollment. After 12 months, your variable Standard APR will apply to the outstanding purchases balance. Your account must be open for at least 1 year and not in default at the time of enrollment. This offer may not be combined with any other active purchase or balance transfer APR offer associated with your account. Offer excludes Navy Federal nRewards®, cashRewards Secured, Business, and Home Equity Line Platinum credit cards and is limited to one Navy Federal credit card per member. Navy Federal reserves the right to change or end this offer at any time without notice.
↵A qualifying military direct deposit must post to your Free Active Duty Checking account within 180 days of account opening. If the military direct deposit stops for more than 180 days, the account converts to a Free EveryDay Checking account.
↵Up to $20.00 in ATM fee rebates per statement period.
↵100% financing subject to all VA rules, guidelines, and additional program requirements. All loans subject to approval. VA loans may include a funding fee, which may be financed up to the maximum allowed loan amount. Navy Federal has no affiliation with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any other government agency.
↵The program is only available for individual home purchases/sales in the contiguous US, Alaska, and Hawaii, excluding Iowa and all employer-sponsored relocations. You are not required to receive financing through Navy Federal Credit Union in order to receive the benefits of this program. The cash back is only available with the purchase or sale of your home through the use of a program-referred and -approved real estate agent, and is offered in most states, with the exception of Iowa, Alaska, and Oklahoma, and is not available in certain transactions with restricted agent commissions (including many new constructions, For Sale by Owner, or For Sale by iBuyer transactions). Your assigned agent can help you identify any transactions where the cash back would not be available. The amount of your cash back depends on the value of the property you are buying or selling. Obtaining the full $9,000 cash back requires transacting in a property valued at $3 million or greater. To calculate your potential cash-back amount, please visit the RealtyPlus website: https://navyfederalrealtyplus.com/. The cash-back offer is limited to one cash back per property with no limit on the number of times you may use the program. In some states, a gift card or commission credit at closing may be provided in lieu of the cash back. In Kansas and Tennessee, a Mastercard® MAX gift card will be issued with preloaded points that are ready for spending at specified retail establishments after closing. State regulations in Kansas limit the dollar amounts and the type of incentive. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing in lieu of cash back. Please check with the program coordinator for details. All real estate commissions are negotiable. Contact RealtyPlus for terms and conditions. Seller listing fees apply. This program is offered, in part, by Anywhere Leads Inc., which may receive a co-operative brokerage fee as a result of a referral to any affiliated real estate companies, including Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, Coldwell Banker®, Century 21®, ERA® Real Estate, and Corcoran. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. This is an advertisement and not a solicitation for agent representation if your property is currently listed with an agent. Anywhere Leads Inc., 175 Park Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. Licensed broker in the state of Texas. Broker license #9009191.
↵TrueCar operates the Navy Federal Car Buying Service. Navy Federal is not responsible for any offer, purchase, lease, or service provided by or through the Navy Federal Car Buying Service.
↵Direct deposit is required. This military special may expire at any time. Applicants must contact Navy Federal by phone or visit a branch to receive the discount. Active Duty rate discounts (which are also available for retired military members) can be applied, subject to certain restrictions.
↵Terms and conditions apply and are available at the Car Buying Service website, hosted by TrueCar.
↵TrueCar Certified Dealers are contractually obligated by TrueCar to meet certain customer service requirements and complete the TrueCar Dealer Certification Program.
↵Benefits not available in all states. Additional terms, conditions, and limitations apply and are available at the linked Car Buying Service website, hosted by TrueCar.
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