This generation of veterans and servicemembers has access to the best benefits of any era in history. From the VA Home Loan program to the GI Bill, you can save money, enhance your career opportunities, and even change your life. Don’t miss out on any of the military and veteran benefits you have earned.
Who is Eligible for a Veterans Pension? The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Pension program is a benefit that is unrelated to military retirement pay. The VA Veteran Pension program offers VA payments to “wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits,” according to… Read more »
If you are still serving and you are within 6 months to 90 days of your final out-processing date, you may qualify to apply for VA disability benefits and get them paid earlier using a VA program called Benefits Delivery at Discharge. Learn more.
The Department of Defense ordered two Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) decreases, the first starting mid-May 2023. A second decrease is planned for November 15, 2023. These Overseas COLA decreases were slowed by federal law to prevent negative financial consequences for those serving overseas, but the decreases are definitely happening now. What is COLA?… Read more »
If you are a disabled veteran, you may qualify for federal tax benefits depending on your circumstances. Learn more.
Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits Do you receive a VA pension? Do you have a permanent disability that confines you to your house or a nursing home? Do you have a service-connected disability that makes it difficult for you to manage basic needs like bathing, eating, and dressing without help? If so, you may… Read more »
Do you need help filling out a VA claim application form? If so, plenty of third-party agencies offer to help; everyone from the DAV to the VFW offers assistance. But those agencies aren’t the only ones; there are also third-party companies offering to help. Unfortunately, some of these companies don’t mind charging exorbitant fees to… Read more »
Some changes could be coming to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities having to do with respiratory, auditory, and medical disorders. This will enable the VA to incorporate modern medical data and terminology to provide veterans with more accurate and consistent decisions. Learn more.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a mental health issue that can be diagnosed and rated by the VA as a service-connected disability. Learn more.
Did you know that military members can get both military retirement benefits and draw Social Security? Since 1957, military members on active duty have enjoyed Social Security coverage. Those who served before then did not pay into Social Security but did get credit for some military duty. SSI Versus SSDI: What to Know According to… Read more »
Military members have a variety of retirement savings and investing options. In addition to the military retirement pay you earn for serving 20 years or more in uniform on active duty or the equivalent in service for the Guard and Reserve, there are several ways to set aside money to use after age 65. Military… Read more »