Can Parents of Military Members Get USAA?
USAA, the United Services Automobile Association, is a financial services provider that specializes in serving the military community. USAA offers a range of insurance, banking, and investment products and services to active and retired military personnel, veterans, and their families. But, can parents of military members also join USAA?
The Simple Answer:
In a nutshell, only parents who have a qualifying child or relative may be eligible for USAA membership. This can include biological, adoptive, or step-relatives who are also veterans, military personnel, or have received a Purple Heart.
Who Can Get USAA Membership:
To qualify for USAA membership, you must be a parent of one or more individuals who:
• Meet the USAA eligibility requirements: These requirements include serving or having served in the US Armed Forces, Selected Reserve, National Guard, or are eligible for deployment.
• Are an immediate family member: Immediate family members include biological, adoptive, or step-relatives.
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
To further narrow down who can get USAA membership, you must also be:
• A relative of the qualified individual: This includes:
- Spouses of eligible personnel
- Children and step-children of eligible personnel
- Brothers and sisters of eligible personnel
- Parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces of eligible personnel
- Guardians of eligible personnel
- Parents and grandparents of eligible personnel
Ineligible Parties:
If you do not meet one of the above criteria, you are not eligible for USAA membership, including:
• Husbands of eligible females: Unfortunately, USAA does not provide membership for husbands of military women unless they also meet the military service or deployment eligibility criteria.
• Fathers of military women: Likewise, fathers of military women are not automatically eligible for USAA membership.
• Widows/Widowers without a surviving spouse: Spouses who have outlived their military-eligible spouse do not qualify for USAA membership, as they no longer have an immediate family member serving in the military.
Key Takeaways:
Here’s a summary of what we’ve covered so far:
• Qualifying parents must have an eligible child or relative
• USAA eligibility criteria include active and retired military personnel, veterans, and those receiving a Purple Heart
• Parents must be related to the qualified individual to join USAA
• Spouses, biological children, siblings, parents, and guardians of military personnel may also be eligible
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can my friend’s sibling join USAA if my friend is not eligible?
A: No, only biological and adoptive siblings are eligible for USAA membership. Step-relatives and nieces and nephews are not.
Q: Can a parent join USAA even if they never served in the military themselves?
A: Only if the parent has an eligible child or relative. For example, if the parent is the mother of a son who is currently serving or has served, she would be eligible.
Conclusion:
While USAA membership is often associated with military personnel themselves, many parents of military members may also qualify. By meeting the specific eligibility requirements outlined above, you can become a USAA member and enjoy their suite of insurance, banking, and investment products. Don’t be afraid to review the qualifications and FAQs above to confirm your eligibility for USAA membership.
