Veterans’ Benefits: Pension Benefit Programs

This report discusses selected veteran pension programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The Improved Disability Pension makes payments to certain low-income veterans. In FY2013, the program paid an average benefit of about $11,300 to about 310,000 beneficiaries. The Improved Death Pension makes payments to certain low-income spouses or children of deceased veterans. In FY2013, the program paid an average benefit of about $7,000 to about 210,000 beneficiaries. The Medal of Honor Pension makes payments to veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor. Fewer than 100 veterans qualify for that pension. This report also discusses the eligibility criteria and current benefit levels of these programs and provides data on the number of pension beneficiaries and average annual benefit amounts for FY1999 through FY2013.