As of 2015, there were 9.3 million armed services veterans of retirement age. Many veterans, regardless of the period they served, have taken advantage of education programs, job search resources, and home loans available to them. However, as a veteran approaching retirement age, it is important to be aware of the additional resources available to assist you in this new phase of life.

Veteran Pension

Supplemental Income for Wartime Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a pension benefit for wartime veteran seniors. Eligibility criteria include active duty service of at least 90 days, age 65 or receiving certain benefits, total and permanent disability, or receiving skilled care in a nursing home.

Survivors Pension
If your late spouse or parent served during wartime, you may qualify for a tax-free survivors pension as an unmarried child or low-income widow/widower. The eligibility criteria include the veteran serving at least 90 days of active service, with at least one day during a wartime period.

Additional Monetary Benefits for Veteran Seniors

• Housebound BenefitsIncrease in monthly pensions for permanently disabled veterans limited to their immediate premises.
• Aid and Attendance (A&A)Compensation for bedridden veterans residing in a nursing home who need assistance with daily living functions or have limited eyesight.

Please contact us for more detailed eligibility information.

Disability Compensation

Disability Compensation provides tax-free compensation for injuries or diseases sustained or aggravated during active service. It covers physical or mental health issues, including related or secondary conditions discovered after discharge.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

It is available to qualifying spouses, children, and parents of veterans who died on active duty or training.

Special Monthly Compensation

It provides additional tax-free compensation for those who are housebound or have difficulty performing daily living functions on their own.

Additional Benefits

The VA also provides other housing and insurance benefits, such as:

• Adapted Housing Grants
• Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance

Applying for Disability Compensation

Contact us for more information on how to apply for disability compensation.

Geriatrics and Extended Care Services

The Geriatrics and Extended Care Services (GEC) provides support for veterans dealing with chronic conditions, life-limiting illnesses, and disabilities associated with aging, chronic diseases, or injuries. While nursing homes and residential settings like assisted living and community residential care are commonly associated with GEC, it also assists veterans who choose to age in their own homes. The services offered include the following:

• Home-Based Care
• Daily Health Care
• Palliative Care
• Respite Care
• Hospice Care
• Telehealth Care
• Veteran-Directed Care

Military Burial

Veterans are entitled to burial benefits, which include a gravesite in a national veteran’s cemetery, a government headstone or marker, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Spouses and dependents buried in a national veteran’s cemetery also receive certain benefits, such as burial with the veteran and inscription on the headstone. In private cemeteries, veterans (but not spouses or dependents) receive cost-free headstones, markers, burial flags, and certificates.

To explore the full range of burial benefits available to you here.