VA Pension Calculator

VA Pension is a needs-based monthly benefit paid to wartime veterans who have limited income and net worth. It is sometimes called "non-service-connected pension" because it does not require a disability connected to military service.

The benefit is designed to help veterans who served during a wartime period and are now age 65 or older, or who are permanently and totally disabled, and who have financial need.

VA Pension is different from VA disability compensation. While disability compensation is paid regardless of income, pension is means-tested and reduces as your countable income increases. If your countable income exceeds the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR), you receive no pension payment.

VA Pension uses a straightforward formula:

1. Determine your MAPR — Based on your status (veteran or surviving spouse), dependents, and whether you qualify for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits.
2. Calculate your IVAP — Income for VA Purposes equals your gross annual household income minus unreimbursed medical expenses.
3. Subtract IVAP from MAPR — The difference is your annual pension amount. Divide by 12 for your monthly payment.

If your IVAP equals or exceeds the MAPR, your pension benefit is $0.

To qualify for VA Pension, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Service requirement: At least 90 days of active military service, with at least 1 day during a wartime period. If you entered active duty after September 7, 1980, you generally must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called.
• Discharge: Discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Age or disability: Age 65 or older, OR permanently and totally disabled (not due to willful misconduct).
• Income limit: Your countable income must be below the applicable Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR).
• Net worth limit: Your net worth must be below $155,356 (2026 limit). This includes all assets except your primary home and personal belongings.

Surviving spouses of wartime veterans may also qualify for Survivors Pension (also called Death Pension) with similar requirements.

At least 1 day of active duty must fall within one of these recognized wartime periods:

You do not need to have served in a combat zone. You simply need at least 1 day of active duty that falls within one of these periods.

VA Pension and VA disability compensation are two separate programs with different rules:

If you have service-connected disabilities, check your VA disability rating first. VA disability compensation often pays more than pension.

If you qualify for VA Pension and need additional care, you may be eligible for enhanced rates:

Aid & Attendance (A&A)

You may qualify if you meet at least one of these criteria:

• You need another person to help you perform daily activities (bathing, feeding, dressing)
• You are bedridden (apart from any prescribed course of treatment)
• You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity
• Your eyesight is limited (5/200 or less in both eyes, or concentric contraction of visual field to 5 degrees or less)

Housebound

You may qualify if you are substantially confined to your immediate premises because of a permanent disability.

Note: You cannot receive both Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time. If you qualify for both, Aid & Attendance pays more.

VA Pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans who have limited income and net worth. Unlike VA disability compensation, pension does not require a service-connected disability.

Eligible veterans must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least 1 day during a wartime period, be age 65 or older (or permanently and totally disabled), and meet income and net worth limits.

VA Pension is calculated by subtracting your Income for VA Purposes (IVAP) from the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR).

IVAP equals your gross annual household income minus unreimbursed medical expenses. If IVAP is less than the MAPR, you receive the difference divided by 12 as your monthly pension. If IVAP exceeds the MAPR, you are not eligible for pension payments.

Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound are enhanced pension rates for veterans or surviving spouses who need additional care.

A&A is for those who require the aid of another person for daily activities, are bedridden, or are in a nursing home. Housebound is for those substantially confined to their home due to permanent disability. These benefits significantly increase the MAPR used to calculate your pension.

The net worth limit for VA Pension in 2026 is $155,356. This includes all assets such as savings, investments, and property (excluding your primary residence and personal belongings).

If your net worth exceeds this limit, you are generally not eligible for VA Pension benefits until your assets are reduced below the threshold.

To qualify for VA Pension, you must have served during a recognized wartime period:

• World War II: December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946
• Korean War: June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955
• Vietnam War: August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975
• Gulf War: August 2, 1990 – present

You need at least 90 days of active duty with at least 1 day during one of these periods.