Veterans’ Benefits: Pension Benefit Programs

Christine Scott
Specialist in Social Policy

Carol D. Davis
Information Research Specialist

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several pension benefit programs for veterans as well as their surviving spouses and dependent children. The most current pension programs available (for those meeting the eligibility criteria on or after January 1, 1979) are the Improved Disability Pension for certain low-income veterans and the Improved Death Pension for certain low-income surviving spouses or children of veterans. There is also a special pension for Medal of Honor recipients. This report describes these programs, including the eligibility criteria and current benefit levels. This report will be updated as needed to reflect legislative activity and changes to benefits or eligibility requirements.


Date of Report: February 26, 2010
Number of Pages: 9
Order Number: RS22804
Price: $29.95

Document available electronically as a pdf file or in paper form.
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