Personal money mismanagement is the number one reason security clearances get revoked. And if security clearance is a requirement for your position, you need to understand how to maintain it, so that your financial standing isn't further jeopardized by a lack or downgrade in employment.
'From the United States Office of Personnel Management'
That's a letterhead you've probably seen quite often, but this article is not being written by someone at the OPM. Rather, this article is being written by a personal finance expert who may or may not have once held a security clearance at a major U.S. Combatant Command. Other experts have contributed to this article as well.
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The purpose of this article is to explain, in clear terms, how a person's finances directly impact their ability to obtain and retain a security clearance with the U.S. government. We'll discuss the role of credit scores, and provide some rough guidelines for determining what score you'll need to retain your clearance (though as you'll see, it's often not that simple). Furthermore, we will give government employees specific advice on what to do if your personal finances are about to get you in trouble at work.
- How you go about explaining delinquent debt on the SF 86 will be critical in your final security clearance determination. Beyond Applicant's Control: Financial problems often arise due to situations beyond a person's control, such as medical debts, divorce, loss of income, victim of crime, bad investments, business downturn, and natural.
- Standard Form 86 Revised November 2016 U.S. Office of Personnel Management 5 CFR Parts 731, 732, and 736 Form approved: OMB No. Criminal Code (title 18, section 1001) provides that knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony which may result in fines and/or up to. Five (5) years imprisonment.
- The Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, is the form used by military personnel, government contractors, and government employees to apply for some level of security clearance: confidential, secret, top secret. SF-86 is a combination grizzly bear and marathon.
- SF-86 simple questions - SF-86 simple questions. Previous Topic Next Topic: Julie Darsie #1 Posted: Friday, June 4, 2010 6:59:45.
What the U.S. Government Has Publicized on This Matter
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is the agency that controls security clearances for all government bodies, with the exception of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (though the guidelines for that entity are very similar).
In 2008, the following information was made open source, in an attempt to increase government transparency. It came in the form of a memo to the heads of departments and agencies, chief human capital officers and agency security offices. It was called the security clearance decision-making guide. In the guide, you can find 'Guideline F: Financial Considerations,' which discusses personal finances in relation to security. It's incredibly interesting. The reason the OPM cares about your personal finances is because it believes:
Failure or inability to live within one's means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information.
The document goes on to say that someone who has too much debt may be drawn to illegal activities or to taking bribes for money, thus it's irresponsible for the government to employ such a person. On the other end of the spectrum, too much affluence can be a red flag. That is, if a person's net worth is too great for their reported income.
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According to Doug Nordman, retired member of the U.S. Navy's submarine force and founder of The-Military-Guide.com:
The U.S. military wants servicemembers to be financially responsible. That doesn't always translate to ‘stay out of debt' or ‘save for retirement,' but supervisors watch for signs of financial stress. It's all too easy for a junior (officer or enlisted) to be suspended from handling classified material, and debt issues can contribute to that.
Warning Signs
If you are worried about your financial health and how it will impact your job, this is exactly how it can. Don't let your personal financial situation show any of the following signs…
Inability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
Having mismanaged debt is grounds for loss of a security clearance. This is applicable for both 'good debt' and 'bad debt.' That means that even debts that are typically thought of as 'investments' (like student loans and mortgages) are taken into consideration. Of course, 'bad debt' (credit cards, payday loans, etc.) is even more concerning to the OPM, especially if you have no realistic repayment plan.
Deceptive Financial Practices
You'll also want to steer clear of the following: 'Embezzlement, employee theft, check fraud, income tax evasion, expense account fraud, filing deceptive loan statements, and other intentional financial breaches of trust.'
Taxes
Failure to file taxes or committing tax fraud–that's a big no-no for anyone. But you work for the government, remember?
Compulsive Gambling
Concealment of gambling losses, having family problems due to gambling, etc. can reflect poorly on your character and your perceived financial stability.
What about credit scores?
A credit score is a universal three-digit number we can all understand. So what credit score must you maintain in order to keep your security clearance? 600? 650? Are you at risk even at 700? It turns out that this question is not so simple.
According to the Office of Personnel Management, credit scores are not a factor in security clearance assessments. That's because your credit score is based on a different set of criteria than what the OPM cares to use for its assessments of your financial security. So although a credit score is a decent indication of your financial health overall, it's too broad of a brush for the U.S. government. Plus, there are many, many types of credit scoring systems available, so no single score ever tells the entire story.
So, while there is no perfect answer to this question, there is still likely a correlation between higher credit scores and retained security clearances. You may have heard the general rule of thumb is that scores above 750 get the best mortgage rates, and those below 650 are below average. Keep that in mind. Again, a score below 650 alone will not endanger your clearance, but it likely is a sign of some financial issues that you should address.
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The purpose of this article is to explain, in clear terms, how a person's finances directly impact their ability to obtain and retain a security clearance with the U.S. government. We'll discuss the role of credit scores, and provide some rough guidelines for determining what score you'll need to retain your clearance (though as you'll see, it's often not that simple). Furthermore, we will give government employees specific advice on what to do if your personal finances are about to get you in trouble at work.
- How you go about explaining delinquent debt on the SF 86 will be critical in your final security clearance determination. Beyond Applicant's Control: Financial problems often arise due to situations beyond a person's control, such as medical debts, divorce, loss of income, victim of crime, bad investments, business downturn, and natural.
- Standard Form 86 Revised November 2016 U.S. Office of Personnel Management 5 CFR Parts 731, 732, and 736 Form approved: OMB No. Criminal Code (title 18, section 1001) provides that knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony which may result in fines and/or up to. Five (5) years imprisonment.
- The Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, is the form used by military personnel, government contractors, and government employees to apply for some level of security clearance: confidential, secret, top secret. SF-86 is a combination grizzly bear and marathon.
- SF-86 simple questions - SF-86 simple questions. Previous Topic Next Topic: Julie Darsie #1 Posted: Friday, June 4, 2010 6:59:45.
What the U.S. Government Has Publicized on This Matter
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is the agency that controls security clearances for all government bodies, with the exception of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (though the guidelines for that entity are very similar).
In 2008, the following information was made open source, in an attempt to increase government transparency. It came in the form of a memo to the heads of departments and agencies, chief human capital officers and agency security offices. It was called the security clearance decision-making guide. In the guide, you can find 'Guideline F: Financial Considerations,' which discusses personal finances in relation to security. It's incredibly interesting. The reason the OPM cares about your personal finances is because it believes:
Failure or inability to live within one's means, satisfy debts, and meet financial obligations may indicate poor self-control, lack of judgment, or unwillingness to abide by rules and regulations, all of which can raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information.
The document goes on to say that someone who has too much debt may be drawn to illegal activities or to taking bribes for money, thus it's irresponsible for the government to employ such a person. On the other end of the spectrum, too much affluence can be a red flag. That is, if a person's net worth is too great for their reported income.
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According to Doug Nordman, retired member of the U.S. Navy's submarine force and founder of The-Military-Guide.com:
The U.S. military wants servicemembers to be financially responsible. That doesn't always translate to ‘stay out of debt' or ‘save for retirement,' but supervisors watch for signs of financial stress. It's all too easy for a junior (officer or enlisted) to be suspended from handling classified material, and debt issues can contribute to that.
Warning Signs
If you are worried about your financial health and how it will impact your job, this is exactly how it can. Don't let your personal financial situation show any of the following signs…
Inability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
Having mismanaged debt is grounds for loss of a security clearance. This is applicable for both 'good debt' and 'bad debt.' That means that even debts that are typically thought of as 'investments' (like student loans and mortgages) are taken into consideration. Of course, 'bad debt' (credit cards, payday loans, etc.) is even more concerning to the OPM, especially if you have no realistic repayment plan.
Deceptive Financial Practices
You'll also want to steer clear of the following: 'Embezzlement, employee theft, check fraud, income tax evasion, expense account fraud, filing deceptive loan statements, and other intentional financial breaches of trust.'
Taxes
Failure to file taxes or committing tax fraud–that's a big no-no for anyone. But you work for the government, remember?
Compulsive Gambling
Concealment of gambling losses, having family problems due to gambling, etc. can reflect poorly on your character and your perceived financial stability.
What about credit scores?
A credit score is a universal three-digit number we can all understand. So what credit score must you maintain in order to keep your security clearance? 600? 650? Are you at risk even at 700? It turns out that this question is not so simple.
According to the Office of Personnel Management, credit scores are not a factor in security clearance assessments. That's because your credit score is based on a different set of criteria than what the OPM cares to use for its assessments of your financial security. So although a credit score is a decent indication of your financial health overall, it's too broad of a brush for the U.S. government. Plus, there are many, many types of credit scoring systems available, so no single score ever tells the entire story.
So, while there is no perfect answer to this question, there is still likely a correlation between higher credit scores and retained security clearances. You may have heard the general rule of thumb is that scores above 750 get the best mortgage rates, and those below 650 are below average. Keep that in mind. Again, a score below 650 alone will not endanger your clearance, but it likely is a sign of some financial issues that you should address.
What Now?
If you are at risk of getting your clearance revoked – there are many things you can do get back on solid ground.
Ellie Kay of heroesathome.org teaches financial readiness in conjunction with military readiness on military bases around the country. She has this crucial tip:
My best advice is to go into the family readiness center and get free financial advice tailored to your needs. They can set up a spending plan, a debt repayment plan and advise you on any loan BEFORE you acquire a loan. They also offer classes on how to buy a car, how to invest in the TSP and how to talk about money with your partner. At the last AFB on our tour, the average incoming Airman had 24k in student loan and consumer debt. So talking to an AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor) about student loan repayment options is also a good idea. One of the primary goals of our tour is to help military members keep their security clearances.
You can also sign up for Military Saves. It's a program that encourages members to automatically deduct part of their pay into a savings account. The campaign enrolls tens of thousands of members each year.
If you have student loans, note that they qualify for deferment if you're active duty. You may even qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which could free you of your student debt burden.
If credit card debt is holding you back, you should try a free credit counseling service, like what Clearpoint offers, which will give you an overview of where you stand along with a plan for moving forward. There are also programs through credit unions which might provide unique benefits to military members or government employees who want to consolidate their debt.
And don't forget about the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which financially protects those who are training, in battle or absent from duty due to an injury or granted leave. Some key benefits of the SCRA include: state tax relief, cancellation of auto leases, ability to break housing contracts, legal protection from credit terms being changed and more. The SCRA basically keeps a military member's financial situation from spiraling out of control while they are serving their country. SCRA benefits are extended to spouses as well.
Debt Relief Scams to Avoid
Alternatively, there are many military-centric debt relief scams to avoid. When trying to decide if a company is a scam or legit, here are four main things to consider. These are based on tips from Spencer, an officer in the U.S. Air Force and founder of MilitaryMoneyManual.com:
- If you work with a debt relief company, ensure that they are a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). Clearpoint is an NFCC member, and the US Department of Justice recommends NFCC-certified counselors.
- Look at the fees charged. Standard credit counseling should be free, while a Debt Management Program may cost a monthly fee. If the fees are not transparent and/or the agency dodges questions about fees, that's a red flag.
- Google search 'company name complaints' and 'company name reviews.' It's very hard to hide negative reviews about a company online. If lots of horror stories start coming up, run away. Be sure to look for reviews on third party websites, not just on the company's website.
- Finally, if what the company sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Any claims that a settlement can be reached that will reduce your debt by 50% or more is probably impossible. In fact, you should almost always avoid debt settlement, so be sure to start with a nonprofit credit counseling agency instead.
Spencer also says that if you contact your services' aid society, such as the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society, or Army Emergency Relief, they can also point you in the right direction.
Final Word
If debt is risking your security clearance, get it sorted so you won't need to worry about the number one reason people get their clearances revoked. After all, you don't want to be a part of that statistic. Remember that credit scores are just one piece of the puzzle, and even then they aren't a direct factor in your clearance, just a general sign of your financial health. Perhaps more importantly, remember that assistance is available–hopefully now you know where to turn and how to move your financial standing toward a positive trajectory.
Ask anyone who has obtained security clearance in the past six or so years, and they are likely to tell you that completing Standard Form 86 is a monumental task.
To make matters worse, many security clearance applications are riddled with common mistakes that only lead to the disappointment of denial.
If your application contains one or more of these common errors, that can interfere with your livelihood, since many job opportunities are contingent upon your ability to obtain clearance.
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The SF-86 is used by the government to conduct background investigations, reinvestigations and evaluations of people seeking national security positions and those already holding those positions, either as government employees, military personnel, or government contractors.
Knowing how to avoid some common mistakes will get you through the SF-86 process as quickly as possible.
Which Errors are Common on the SF-86?
Some of the most common rejections in the security clearance process are due to lies and omissions.
Applicants who do leave out information or offer misleading details usually do so on some of the simplest questions, according to Lockheed Martin, a national defense contractor whose employees often require clearance for their jobs.
1. Full name
As simple as it seems, there is a right and a wrong way to enter your full name on the SF-86 questionnaire. If your name contains initials, use them and enter 'I/O' after the initials. If you have no middle name, you must enter 'NMN.' If you have an initial only as your middle name, provide a comment explaining that fact.
2. Entering the date of birth incorrectly
Believe it or not, applicants often don't follow directions when stating when they were born. The questionnaire asks for Month/Day/Year. Ensure your numbers are legible.
3. Entering place of birth incorrectly
The SF-86 asks for your City, County, State, and Country of birth. The Country entry box explicitly states that it is a required detail.
4. Not providing a list of other names used
If you have a maiden name, former name, alias or nickname, provide that information on the SF-86.
5. Not providing appropriate document numbers or comments
If you're a U.S. citizen who was born abroad, there are certain documents you must have, and those document numbers and dates the documents were completed must be provided. This goes for citizens born on military installations and U.S. citizens born outside the U.S.
6. Having a current foreign passport
You cannot obtain a security clearance if you have a current foreign passport. That passport must be invalidated by a local security officer.
7. Failing to provide residence information for the past 10 years
You must go back 10 years or to your 18th birthday and provide complete address information, as well as the timeframe during which you lived at each address. You also must provide a point of contact information for someone who knew you at any addresses you had in the past three years. That information must include the person's full name, their current address, telephone number, and relationship. If you can't provide portions of this information, you must explain why or offer up the details of an alternative person who can vouch for you living at that location.
Antique gambling machines for sale ebay. 8. Lying or omitting information about illegal drug activity
You must include the number of times an illegal drug was used. If that number is unknown, you should provide an estimate. Keep in mind that marijuana use, while legal according to some states, is still illegal federally and should be mentioned on the SF-86.
9. Failing to properly address financial difficulties
Security clearance attorney Catie Young advises clients to pull their credit reports prior to completing the SF-86 so they can properly reference any delinquent debt that appears. Having financial problems leaves you open to blackmail, and investigators will want to know that you are making payments or otherwise making good on your financial obligations. You must provide information for each debt you have, as well as any bankruptcy filings.
10. Failing to divulge non-criminal court actions
Any civil court actions you've been involved in must be listed on the SF-86, and you must include the final result of the court action.
'It is so hard to mitigate an omission or lie later down the road,' Young says. 'I always advise clients on the importance of being forthright, not rushing through the document, and seeking legal advice at the outset.'
Part of the application's purpose is to determine an applicant's honesty. Omitting or mischaracterizing information about your past could lead an investigator to believe that you are untrustworthy with important government information.
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Young says the best course of action is to acknowledge the conduct, whatever it is, and mitigate that information with the help of an experienced security clearance attorney. There are numerous mitigating factors that are usually applicable. If the government discovers or believes that you intentionally omitted information on the SF-86, a personal conduct concern will arise, which is probably the most difficult concern to mitigate.
If you are applying for security clearance and would like assistance with the process, please contact our office to schedule an appointment.
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