Military Pay and Pensions
Find information on basic pay, pensions, and retirement benefits for service members, veterans, and military retirees, including whom to contact with questions and concerns.
to get the latest information on
And look up your basic allowance for housing on the Defense Travel Management Office’s .
Military, Civilian, and Retiree Pay Problems
Department of Defense (DOD) Employees, Reservists, and Retirees
If you’re active duty or in the Reserve, contact your post or base finance office first for questions about your military pay.
For additional help, contact the appropriate :
Đang chơi bài – Call 1-888-332-7411
Đang chơi bài – Call 1-800-321-1080
Đang chơi bài– Call 1-888-332-7411
Đang chơi bài – Manage your pay information using
Coast Guard Employees, Reservists, and Retirees
Đang chơi bàiIf you’re active duty or in the Reserve, contact your unit administrative yeoman for questions about your military pay.
Đang chơi bàiCoast Guard retiree – Contact the . Call 1-866-772-8724
Đang chơi bàiCivilian Coast Guard employee – Contact your .
Military Pay Complaints or Fraud Reports
Đang chơi bàiLearn how to file a complaint or report suspected fraud:
Đang chơi bài
went into effect on January 1, 2018. It includes:
Matching contributions
Mid-career retention bonuses
Đang chơi bàiA monthly annuity for life after 20 years of service. The annuity is based on a calculation of 2% per year served. The legacy retirement annuity is based on 2 ½% per year served.
Legacy High-3 (High-36) System
Đang chơi bàiService members in the legacy High-3 system must have begun their service by December 31, 2017. Also called High-36 or “military retired pay,” this is a defined benefit plan.
Đang chơi bàiYou’ll need to serve 20 years or more to qualify for the lifetime monthly annuity.
Your retirement benefit is determined by your years of service. It’s calculated at 2.5% times your highest 36 months of basic pay.
Đang chơi bài contributions are not matched by the government.
Military Retirees and Pension Benefit Questions
Đang chơi bàiIf you ’re a military retiree with questions about your benefits, contact your branch of service:
Visit the
Đang chơi bàiChanges to your military retiree benefits
Cost of living adjustments
Đang chơi bàiOther issues affecting your pension
Pension Taxes
You may not have to pay federal income taxes on your military pension. Use the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to find out.
Military Retirement and Social Security Benefits
Đang chơi bàiRetirees can get both Social Security benefits and their military pension.
State and Federal Benefits for Military Families
If you receive military or veterans benefits, you may also qualify for other state and federal benefits. This includes Social Security, unemployment benefits, health insurance coverage, welfare, and food assistance.
Food Assistance
There are many nutrition programs that can help military and veteran families with food costs. This includes Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) benefits, or “food stamps.” .
Welfare Benefits (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)Đang chơi bài is the program commonly known as welfare. TANF includes help with housing, utilities, child care, job training, and more. If you are in the military, you may be eligible to receive TANF.
Health Insurance
Members of the military and their families receive a wide range of health coverage through . If you have a low income, you may also qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)Đang chơi bài. Once you turn 65, or meet other requirements, you can sign up for Medicare. Get information on .
Social Security Benefits
You may qualify for both . You’ll receive your full Social Security benefits based on your earnings. To get your benefits, you must earn credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. Learn more about Social Security and how it works.
Unemployment Benefits
If you recently left the military, you may be benefits:
You should apply for UCX as soon as possible after you're discharged. Find out how to apply for unemployment benefits.
. It’s a tax-free monthly benefit.
Visit to learn:
Đang chơi bài may receive compensation benefits in certain situations.
How to Calculate VA Pensions
Đang chơi bàiThe amount for both pensions is the difference between the recipient’s "countable" income and the annual pension limit set by Congress.
How to Apply for a VA Pension
See how to , including online.
Đang chơi bàiSee how to .
Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits
If you receive a VA pension, you may also qualify for . You can only get one of them. Each has its own qualifications.
Veterans Pension Versus Disability Compensation
In some cases, veterans can receive disability compensation. It's not the same as the VA pension. Here’s a way to tell the difference:
Đang chơi bàiDisability compensation is for an illness or injury that happens because of or was made worse by your military service. It’s not income-based and war service is not required.
Đang chơi bàiA VA pension is for low-income war veterans who may have
Veterans Pension Versus Military Retirement
Some people confuse military retirement benefits with a VA pension. Here are two ways to tell the difference:
Đang chơi bàiMilitary retirement is taxable but a VA pension is tax-free.
Military retirement uses years of service (not necessarily wartime). But a VA pension is based on wartime service and financial need.
Do you have a question?
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
Đang chơi bàiLast Updated:
September 15, 2020