Related: What employers can gain from hiring military spouses

In addition to the section on the retirement system, the updated manual also includes information on tax breaks, low-cost investments, legal protections, education opportunities and insurance programs for military servicemembers and their families, as well as the dangers of financial fraud aimed directly at those serving in or retired from the armed forces.

In a statement, Don Blandin, president and CEO of Investor Protection Trust and the Investor Protection Institute, calls attention to the section on fraud: "While members of the military have access to some very valuable benefits, they also find themselves singled out by unscrupulous swindlers who target and then prey on active and retired military personnel. Our step-by-step guide makes it very clear what military families should do…and what they should avoid."

Here's a look at 10 of the strategies and brief summaries of information the manual offers:

10. The new retirement system

Unlike civilian jobs, the military's existing retirement system provides no retirement benefits for members who separate before 20 years.

The new system will provide vesting, but it has its drawbacks.

And while many stick it out for 20 years for the pension, they don't always save anything else, failing to realize that the pension will be only half of what they made on active duty.

But the new system could also reduce lifetime income, making it even more important to save outside the system.

Those who will be covered by the new system—or can choose to be covered—can take advantage of the military's Thrift Savings Program, similar to a 401(k), and also make Roth TSP contributions—taxable now but tax free on retirement.

9. Free college

Thanks to an expansion of the GI Bill, servicemembers, their spouses and even their kids are "eligible for the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges for up to 36 months (four academic years). Alternatively, it covers up to $21,970 for the 2016-17 school year for private colleges and foreign schools. You can also receive a housing stipend and money for books and tutoring. And you can use the money for undergraduate or graduate programs at college and universities, or for certain programs at vocational, trade and distance-learning schools."

Eligibility is based on length of service, and can be transferrable to a spouse or children.

8. Yellow Ribbon scholarship

In cases where the full tuition isn't covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill (such as private colleges or out-of-state tuition at public colleges), the Yellow Ribbon scholarship might cover some of the additional expense.

Not only do "hundreds" of colleges provide scholarships annually, the Department of Veterans Affairs matches the school's contribution.

7. Cheap life insurance

In a dangerous career field like the U.S. military, it's essential to provide for family members in case the worst happens—and U.S. servicemembers have access to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), which at 7 cents per $1,000 of coverage per month, or $336 per year for the maximum $400,000, is pretty affordable.

It's also available regardless of age, health or likelihood of deployment. Coverage is also available for spouses, at $100,000 for as little as $60, if the spouse is under age 35.

An extra benefit for SGLI beneficiaries under the HEART Act, enacted in 2008, allows surviving spouses who receive SGLI death benefits to invest some or all of that money into a Roth IRA without being subject to the standard $5,500 limit.

6. Reduction in interest rates

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), members of the military have special legal rights and financial protections if they have to move unexpectedly or are deployed, even for leaving a civilian job for active duty with the Reserves or National Guard.

One of those SCRA benefits is the interest-rate cap.

In some situations, the rate on a mortgage, credit card, car loan or other debt can be reduced to 6 percent if military service affects ability to pay—as it may for those subject to a pay cut when activated to the Reserve or National Guard.

5. Special tax breaks

Civilians generally have to pay state income taxes in the state where they live, but servicemembers and their spouses can instead maintain legal residence, termed domicile, in one state while stationed in another.

Establishing residency in Florida or Texas, neither of which has a state income tax, while stationed there means that a servicemember can maintain that domicile while on active duty, even if transferred to a state that does have income tax.

Maintaining the domicile in a state without income tax means servicemembers don't have to pay income taxes even if later serving in a state that does have such taxes.

4. VA loans

Servicemembers are eligible for Veterans Administration loans, which gives them the option of buying a home with no down payment and no mortgage insurance—options that can come in handy, but with caveats.

While a VA mortgage is a way to buy a home without having to amass a down payment—something that can be challenging, especially on military pay—servicemembers should also be aware that if home values drop in the area where they bought, a no-down-payment mortgage could leave them owing more than the house is worth.

To get help deciding whether a VA loan is the best option, check out the Personal Finance Management program on base.

3. Emergency loans

Predatory payday lenders charging as much as 400+ percent used to prey on servicemembers, until the Military Lending Act capped payday loan rates at 36 percent for members of the military on active duty and their dependents.

But that's still no bargain; rather than relying on predatory payday lenders, servicemembers in a cash crunch can check out small emergency loans that are available through an emergency relief fund from each branch of the military.

Such loans are becoming more accessible, according to the manual. Army Emergency Relief changed its policy in 2016 to allow soldiers to ask AER directly for assistance and apply for loans online without having to go through their chain of command.

For more information, servicemembers can contact the community service office on their base, or go to Army Emergency Relief (www.aerhq. org), Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (nmcrs.org), Air Force Aid Society (afas.org) or Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (cgmahq.org).

2. Cheaper auto insurance premiums

Servicemembers on deployment have plenty to deal with, often including having to leave their cars behind in storage.

But a silver lining for the need to store a car is that they can notify their auto insurers that the car is stored and not in use.

That can result in premiums being lowered by as much as 75 percent during deployment by eliminating liability and collision coverage on the stored car, if permitted.

Comprehensive coverage should be retained in case the car is damaged or stolen during deployment; that way it will still be covered.

1. Contract cancellations

Another financial assist is the right to cancel contracts.

Servicemembers with orders for a permanent change of station or deployment to a new location for 90 days or more can terminate an apartment lease without penalty.

They can also terminate a car lease without an early termination fee if deployed for 180 days or longer, and even terminate a cell phone contract without penalty with orders to relocate for more than 90 days to an area that is not supported by the contract.