Military Benefits in 2026
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was passed in December 2025, and the passage of that bill marked essential changes to basic military benefits for 2026.
2026 Military Benefits Updates
Some of the changes in the latest NDAA take the form of benefit increases, while others involve adjusted benefit caps and reporting requirements, as we examine below.
Military Basic Pay Increase for 2026
Active duty, Guard, and Reserve personnel get a 3.8% increase in basic pay effective January 1, 2026. An E-1 with less than 2 years of service now earns approximately $2,407 per month. An O-4 with more than 6 years of service earns approximately $8,332 per month.
Easily find your 2026 military pay rates with our easy-to-read Pay Charts and Military Pay Calculator, updated for 2026.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
BAH rates increased by an average of 4.2%. How much a service member receives depends on factors such as location, pay grade, and whether they have dependents. The allowance is for 95% of the estimated local housing costs. Service members are expected to cover the remaining 5% out of pocket. This military benefit is not intended to cover all housing costs.
Calculate your 2026 BAH and OHA rates with our BAH Calculator.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
The BAS rate increased by 2.4% in 2026. BAS is $476.95 per month for enlisted personnel and $328.48 for officers.
2026 Continental United States (CONUS) COLA
This taxable supplement is paid to service members stationed in areas where these costs are at least 8% higher than the national average. For 2026, roughly 54,000 members across 21 military housing areas receive CONUS COLA.
Locations with the highest rates include:
- San Francisco 8%
- Oakland at 6%,
- Staten Island 5%
- Seattle 5%
- Santa Clara County 5%
2026 Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
DLA is a benefit to help servicemembers with relocation costs during a permanent change of station move.
- In 2026, an E-1 with no dependents receives $1,870.58, while those with dependents receive $3,548.02.
- For an O-4, the rate is $4,247.61 without dependents and $4,885.43 with dependents.
- Members required to move out of government quarters for the government’s convenience may qualify for a partial DLA of $1,002.71.
2026 Veterans Pension
The asset limit for the Veterans Pension in 2026 is $163,699. This limit excludes a primary home and vehicle. For a single veteran with no dependents, the 2026 income limit is $1,453 monthly. If that veteran requires Aid and Attendance, the limit increases to $2,424 monthly in 2026.
2026 Survivors Pension
Survivors of deceased wartime veterans received a 2.8% increase in income limits for 2026.
Family Separation Allowance
The Family Separation Allowance was raised to $300 for qualifying service members in 2026. To qualify, you must be on orders and separated from your dependents for more than 30 days.
Veteran and Retiree COLA
Disabled veterans and military retirees get a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, which matches the Social Security Administration’s annual inflation adjustment. This applies to VA disability, pension, and Survivor Benefit Plan payments.
VA Health Care Copayments and Pension
New copay rates for VA healthcare apply in 2026.
- Primary care visits are $15.
- Specialty care and tests are $50 each.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation increases to $1,699.36.
Education Benefit Requirements
In 2026, students using VA education benefits must verify enrollment monthly to receive education benefit payments. This new rule includes students using Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance.
Childcare Fee Policy Updates
The Department of Defense added an income category for families earning $175,001 or higher. The provider rate cap increased to $2,000 per month. A pilot program also provides a $100 monthly reduction in parent fees for certain families in the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
