SCRA Protection Active · 50 U.S.C. §§ 3901–4043

Your MoneyServes Too.Now It's Protected.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act caps your interest at 6%, blocks creditor action, and shields your savings from the moment orders are cut. Shield is the savings account built to enforce those rights automatically.

SCRA Interest Cap6%Max rate while deployed50 U.S.C. §3937
Creditor Protection100%Federal statute enforced50 U.S.C. §3931
TSP Match5%BRS guaranteed contributionBRS §8432(c)
50 U.S.C. § 3937 — Interest Rate Cap50 U.S.C. § 3931 — Stay of Proceedings50 U.S.C. § 3955 — Eviction Protection50 U.S.C. § 3953 — Mortgage Protection50 U.S.C. § 3991 — Tax ReliefBRS § 8432(c) — TSP Match GuaranteeDoD 7000.14-R — Financial Management
01 / DEPLOYMENT PROTECTION
Service Member Question

“What happens to my savings during deployment?”

Plain English Answer

The moment your orders are cut, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act becomes your financial attorney. It caps every pre-existing debt's interest rate at 6% — not as a favor, as a federal mandate.

Under 50 U.S.C. § 3937, creditors must reduce your interest rate to 6% per annum on any debt incurred before active duty. They must also forgive — not defer — any interest charged above that cap. Shield files the notification automatically when you upload your deployment orders.

“They must forgive the excess interest. Not defer it. Forgive it. That's the statute.”

JAG Financial Readiness Brief, 2024
Interest Rate Comparison — Civilian vs. SCRA-Protected
Civilian credit card APR
24.99%6% max (SCRA)
Auto loan rate
18.5%6% max (SCRA)
Personal loan
21.0%6% max (SCRA)
6%
Max Rate
§3937
SCRA Statute
Auto
Shield Files It
02 / CREDITOR SHIELD
Service Member Question

“Can creditors touch my account while I'm overseas?”

The short answer: not without a federal judge's signature. The SCRA doesn't just slow creditors down — it requires court intervention before any legal action can proceed against a deployed service member.

Under 50 U.S.C. § 3931, a service member can request a stay of any civil proceeding for at least 90 days after the period of military service ends. Courts may extend this if military duty materially affects your ability to appear. Shield monitors your account and flags any collection attempts automatically.

Account Shield Status
ACTIVE
Creditor proceedingsBLOCKED
Default judgmentsBLOCKED
Account garnishmentBLOCKED
Interest above 6%CAPPED
Foreclosure (no court order)BLOCKED
50 U.S.C. § 3931Active Protection

Stay of Civil Proceedings

Any court can stay a civil action against you for the duration of your service, plus 90 days. Creditors cannot obtain default judgments while you are deployed.

50 U.S.C. § 3932Always Active

Waiver of Rights

Any waiver of SCRA rights made during or before active duty is void unless it meets strict written requirements — protecting you from signing away protections under financial duress.

50 U.S.C. § 3953Court Required

Mortgage Foreclosure Protection

Mortgage lenders cannot foreclose on your home while you are on active duty without a court order. A judge must review the case and consider your service obligations.

50 U.S.C. § 3955Active Protection

Eviction Protection

Landlords cannot evict you or your family from a primary residence without a court order if your rent is below the threshold ($4,225/month in 2025). Courts can stay the eviction.

03 / TSP BRIDGE
Service Member Question

“Does the 5% TSP match still apply — and what happens when I separate?”

The Blended Retirement System

Under BRS, DoD automatically contributes 1% of your basic pay to TSP — regardless of whether you contribute yourself. If you contribute 5%, DoD matches it. That's a guaranteed 100% return on the first 5% of your contribution.

When you separate, Shield's TSP Bridge feature rolls your TSP balance into a civilian IRA — preserving your tax-advantaged status and continuing the same investment strategy. You don't lose the years of compounding. You don't pay early withdrawal penalties. You continue building.

1%
Auto DoD Contribution
4%
Matching (up to 5%)
0%
Penalty on Bridge
Statutory Reference

5 U.S.C. § 8432(c) — DoD automatic and matching contributions under the Blended Retirement System. Vesting begins at 2 years of service.

E-4 Wealth Projection — 3-Year Rotation Cycle
ComponentMonthlyOutcome
E-4 monthly contribution (5%)$156$6,240 + match
Employer (DoD) 5% match$156$6,240
Shield savings rate (SCRA)6% max$2,800 saved
Total 3yr wealth position$15,280Down payment ready
TSP contributions (yours)
DoD match + auto contribution
SCRA interest savings

* Projections based on E-4 with 3 years service at $3,120/mo base pay (2025 DoD pay tables). Assumes 7% TSP annual growth (C-fund historical average). Not financial advice.

04 / OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT
Federal Protections. Zero Cost. Immediate Coverage.

Your Account. Your Statute.

Open a Shield account in under 4 minutes. Upload your orders. Every protection activates automatically — no calls, no paperwork, no waiting.

Primary Path

Open Your Protected Account

$0 to start · No minimum balance · FDIC insured

By opening an account, you authorize Shield to verify your service status through DoD systems. SCRA protections activate upon order upload. FDIC insured up to $250,000.

Secondary Path

Download the SCRA Savings Guide

28 pages · Statute references · JAG-reviewed

The complete guide to SCRA protections, TSP strategy, and civilian wealth transition — written for service members, reviewed by JAG officers. Free, no strings attached.

Full SCRA statute breakdown (§3901–4043)
TSP contribution strategy by pay grade
Civilian IRA rollover checklist
SCRA notification letter template
🏛️FDIC InsuredUp to $250,000
⚖️SCRA Compliant50 U.S.C. §§ 3901–4043
🔒DoD VerifiedService status confirmed
📋JAG ReviewedLegal accuracy certified