VA Pension Calculator
Check your 2026 VA Pension eligibility and estimate your monthly benefit based on income, net worth, and dependents.
VA Pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans 65+ (or permanently disabled) with net worth under $163,699 in 2026. Your monthly amount is the difference between your Maximum Annual Pension Rate and your countable income. No service-connected disability is required.
VA Pension works differently from disability compensation: it's based on financial need, not a service-connected condition. Answer the questions below to check your eligibility and estimate your monthly benefit.
Check Your VA Pension Eligibility
Estimated Pension
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The exact MAPR for this specific combination (dependent + Housebound) needs to be verified directly with the VA — contact a VSO or the VA for your precise rate.
Asset transfers below fair market value within 3 years of applying can trigger a penalty period during which no pension is payable. This is complex enough that this tool doesn't attempt to calculate it — if you've made recent transfers, consult a VA-accredited attorney or Veterans Service Organization (VSO).
VA Pension eligibility rests on five things: wartime service (just one day during a recognized wartime period, no combat required), being 65 or older or permanently disabled, an other-than-dishonorable discharge, net worth under the 2026 limit of $163,699, and countable income below your Maximum Annual Pension Rate. That MAPR varies based on whether you have a dependent and whether you need Housebound or Aid and Attendance level care, ranging from $17,441 a year for a single veteran with no additional care needs up to $34,486 for a veteran with a dependent who qualifies for Aid and Attendance. Your actual pension is simply the MAPR minus your countable income, so lower income means a larger check, up to the MAPR ceiling. Unreimbursed medical expenses can help too: any amount above 5% of your MAPR reduces your countable income, which can increase your benefit. One important rule: pension and VA disability compensation can't be combined. If you qualify for both, you receive whichever pays more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VA Pension net worth limit for 2026?
$163,699, covering the period from December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026. This includes assets and income combined, excluding your primary residence, one vehicle, and basic household furnishings.
Do I need a service-connected disability to get VA Pension?
No. Unlike VA disability compensation, VA Pension is needs-based and doesn't require your disability to be connected to your military service.
Can I get both VA Pension and VA disability compensation?
No. You can only receive whichever is higher, not both at the same time.
What counts as wartime service for VA Pension?
At least one day of active duty during a VA-recognized wartime period. You don't need to have served in combat or a war zone.
How is my VA Pension amount calculated?
Your Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) minus your countable income equals your annual pension, divided by 12 for your monthly amount. Unreimbursed medical expenses above 5% of your MAPR can reduce your countable income.
What happens if I gave away assets before applying for VA Pension?
Transfers below fair market value within 3 years of applying can trigger a penalty period during which no pension is payable. Consult a VA-accredited attorney or Veterans Service Organization if this applies to you.
This calculator provides a general estimate based on 2026 VA Pension rules and does not constitute a determination of eligibility. Asset transfer history, exact medical expense documentation, and other individual factors can affect your actual benefit. For an official determination, consult a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or apply directly through the VA.