VA Retirement Benefits for those who did not retire
by David Barth
compiled June 12, 2008
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) says that a recent evaluation of the VA's Non-Service Connected Pension Program
found that only about one in four eligible veterans are estimated to be receiving the pension benefits they are owed.
This is because many veterans still do not know that this VA pension program exists. Current recipients surveyed by
the VA in 2004 reported that they had been eligible for many years before actually applying for benefits. In order to
qualify for the VA non-service connected pension program, veterans are required to have served during a specific
"period of war." The veteran should have been discharged under honorable conditions and generally served for at least
90 days. Veterans may receive a non-service-connected pension based on reaching age 65. Veterans who are under age 65
qualify if they are permanently and totally disabled. For disabled veterans, the disability does not have to have any
relationship to the veteran's military service. Eligibility for the program is based upon need. Wartime veterans who
believe that they qualify for a pension can contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-827-1000 for an
application and further information.
America promised its veterans who served our nation during time of war that they would not have to live in poverty
should they become disabled or when they reach retirement age. Sadly, that promise has not been kept, in large part
because many veterans are unaware of the assistance available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
A recent evaluation of the VA's Non-service Connected Pension Program found that only about one in four eligible
veterans are estimated to be receiving the pension benefits they are owed.
In my home State of Nevada, which boasts a veteran population of more than 240,000, only about 3,000 veterans and
survivors now receive non-service connected pension benefits that average about $7,000 per year. Unfortunately, far
too many veterans still do not know that this VA pension program exists.
Current recipients surveyed by the VA in 2004 reported that they had been eligible for many years before actually
applying for benefits. As increasing numbers of World War II and Korean War veterans reach the point when medical
expenses take a large amount of their income, we must do more to inform these American heroes of their eligibility
for a VA pension. The cash assistance provided by this program can help veterans with modest incomes pay for
prescription drugs, nursing home or in home care, and other out of pocket medical expenses.
In order to qualify for the VA non-service connected pension program, veterans are required to have served during a
specific "period of war," such as World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. The
location of the service, stateside or overseas, does not matter as long as the veteran was discharged under honorable
conditions and generally served for at least 90 days.
Veterans may receive a non-service-connected pension based on reaching age 65. Veterans who are under age 65 qualify
if they are permanently and totally disabled. For disabled veterans, the disability does not have to have any
relationship to the veteran's military service.
Eligibility for the program is based upon need. A veteran is generally eligible if he or she has less than $80,000
in net assets. The home and one motor vehicle are not counted in determining assets. The annual income of the veteran
and dependent family member must be below certain limits.
For 2005, the maximum benefit for a single veteran is $846 per month. If the veteran has a spouse or other dependent,
the maximum amount is $1,109 per month. In determining eligibility and the amount of the benefit paid, the VA will
subtract any income, such as Social Security or retirement benefits, the veteran and his dependents receive from the
maximum amount.
Additional amounts are payable to a disabled veteran of any age who is housebound or in need of "aid and attendance."
For example, a single veteran who is considered housebound is eligible for up to $1,034 per month. A single veteran
who is paying privately for nursing home care may receive up to $1,412 per month. A single veteran who is blind or
needs the aid of another person for daily activities and who receives care at home, can also receive up to $1,412
per month. If this veteran has a spouse, the amount is $1,674 per month. Single veterans whose nursing home care is
being paid by Medicaid have their benefit reduced to $90.00 per month, but the $90.00 must be given to the veteran and
may not be used for the cost of medical or nursing home care.
In determining income, the VA will count all of the income received by the veteran and his or her dependents. VA will
subtract from a veteran's income, out of pocket medical expenses above a minimal amount ($508 per year for a single
veteran and $665 per year for a veteran with a spouse or other dependent) paid by the veteran or dependents. Even if
the veteran is depleting savings to pay medical expenses, the expenses are still deducted from income to increase the
pension benefit.
For example, under VA rules, a single veteran who is housebound because of disabilities, who has $1,400 per month in
gross income, and who is paying $562 per month for medical expenses, would be eligible for $157 per month in VA pension
benefits. Medical expenses include Part B Medicare premiums, Medi-gap insurance, prescription drugs, nursing home care
or other medical care and dental care. Only expenses actually paid by the veteran or dependent may be deducted.
Wartime veterans who believe that they qualify for a pension can contact the Department of Veterans Affairs
(1-800-827-1000) for an application and further information. A simple letter requesting the pension benefits
(including a request for housebound or aid and attendance if applicable) can serve as an "informal claim" for a pension,
allowing benefits to be paid from that date forward, if the claim is approved. Applications can also be completed online
[http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp] or can be printed out and mailed directly to the VA.
Laws passed by Congress cannot achieve their desired result unless those who are intended to benefit from them are made
aware of their existence. The VA pension program for non-service connected veterans provides valuable assistance to
veterans with limited income and those who are depleting their savings to pay for medical care. Without information
concerning the existence of this program, too many of our wartime veterans will continue to live in poverty.
As a member of the Veterans Affairs' Committee, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) is working to honor America's
commitment to those who served our nation in the military and to plan for the future needs of our brave men and
women in uniform today.
Congresswoman Berkley serves as Ranking Member on the Disability and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The panel has a wide range of jurisdiction over issues important to veterans of all
ages. Areas under Berkley's jurisdiction include: compensation paid to veterans, pensions, burial benefits, life
insurance, VA claims and veterans' cemeteries in the U.S. and around the globe.
Now serving in her fourth term, Berkley represents fast-growing Las Vegas, home to more than 150,000 veterans.
The Congresswoman recently won approval for a new $295 million dollar VA medical complex for Southern Nevada which
will include a state-of-the-art hospital, outpatient clinic and long-term care facility.
Since first being elected to office in 1998, Congresswoman Berkley has represented southern Nevada at a time of
continued record growth and her work in Congress reflects the dynamic needs of the nation's fastest growing
communities.
Berkley is a graduate of the University of Nevada - Las Vegas and holds a law degree from the University of San Diego.
She is a former attorney, gaming executive, Nevada State Assembly Member and Nevada University and Community College
System Board of Regents member from 1990 until her election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998.