Current protected disability and death pension rates

How we determine if you’re eligible for protected rates

To qualify for protected rates, your yearly income for 2025 must be at or below a certain amount. This is called the income limit. We count as income any money you earn in a year, including your salary, investment and retirement payments, and any income from your dependents. Some expenses, like non-reimbursable medical expenses (paid medical expenses not covered by your insurance provider), may work in your favor to reduce your countable income.

We base your income limit on:

• The specific pension benefits you’re eligible to receive (including added amounts for Aid and Attendance), and
• Whether or not you have eligible dependents, and
• Your yearly income

Eligible dependents

Eligible dependents may include your spouse. We recognize same-sex and common-law marriages.

Dependents may also include any biological, step, or adopted children you may have who are unmarried and meet at least 1 of the requirements listed below.

At least 1 of these must be true for a dependent child:

• The child is unmarried and is under 18 years old, or
• The child is unmarried and is between 18 and 23 years old and enrolled in a qualifying school full time, or
• The child is unmarried and was seriously disabled before age 18 and is unable to care for themselves

Section 306 disability pension income limits and rates

Effective December 1, 2025

This non-service-connected pension program was available from July 1, 1960, through December 31, 1978. To continue receiving this benefit, your yearly income must stay below certain limits. 

Here are the current income limits based on your situation: 

• Veteran only, no dependents: $19,836 or less 

• Veteran with dependent spouse or children: $26,663 or less 

• Aid and Attendance for Veteran only, no dependents (if eligible): $20,550 or less 

• Aid and Attendance for Veteran with dependent spouse or children (if eligible): $27,374 or less 

If you’re hospitalized: You may qualify for a reduced Aid and Attendance rate if you’re hospitalized on or after January 1, 2025, and meet certain requirements. 

Read the full Title 38 regulations for hospital reduction rates 

If you’re married: We don’t count the first $6,337 of your spouse’s income when calculating your countable income. Any amount above this is included unless you can show that you don’t have access to it or that including it would cause financial hardship. 

Read the full Title 38 regulations for the spouse income exclusion 

Section 306 disability pension monthly payments

If you qualify for a protected rate, we’ll pay you the monthly payment amount you were entitled to on December 31, 1978. The income limitation includes a 2.8% cost-of-living increase.

Section 306 death pension income limits and rates 

Effective December 1, 2025

This non-service-connected pension program was available from July 1, 1960, through December 31, 1978. To continue receiving this benefit, your yearly income must stay below certain limits. 

Here are the current income limits based on your situation: 

• Surviving spouse only, no dependents: $19,836 or less 

• Surviving spouse with dependent children: $26,663 or less 

• Surviving dependent child with no surviving parent: $16,220 or less 

Section 306 death pension monthly payments

If you qualify for a protected rate, we’ll pay you the monthly payment amount you were entitled to on December 31, 1978. The income limitation includes a 2.8% cost-of-living increase.

Section 306 survivor benefit plan annuity limitation 

Effective December 1, 2025

An annuity is a fixed sum of money paid to the plan’s beneficiary each year. If you’re part of a Section 306 survivor benefit plan (also called the “minimum income widow” provision), we’ll pay you up to $11,699 this year. The income limitation includes a 2.8% cost-of-living increase.

Old law disability pension income limits and rates 

Effective December 1, 2025

This non-service-connected pension program was available before July 1, 1960. To continue receiving this benefit, your yearly income must stay below certain limits. 

Here are the current income limits based on your situation: 

• Veteran only, no dependents: $17,372 or less 

• Veteran with dependent spouse or children: $25,033 or less 

Old law disability pension monthly payments: 

• Basic Veteran pension: $66.15/month 

• Veteran pension (age 65+ or 10+ years of service): $78.75/month 

• Aid and Attendance benefit (if eligible): $135.45/month 

• Housebound allowance (if eligible): $100/month 

Old law death pension income limits and rates

Effective December 1, 2025

This non-service-connected pension program was available before July 1, 1960. To continue receiving this benefit, your yearly income must stay below certain limits. 

Here are the current income limits based on your situation: 

• Surviving spouse only, no dependents: $17,372 or less 

• Surviving spouse with dependent children: $25,033 or less 

• Surviving dependent child with no surviving parent: $17,372 or less 

Old law death pension monthly payments

If you’re eligible for the protected rate for the old law death pension, we’ll pay the rate you were entitled to on December 31, 1978. The income limitation includes a 2.8% cost-of-living increase.

Old law survivor benefit plan annuity limitation 

Effective December 1, 2025

An annuity is a fixed sum of money paid to the plan’s beneficiary each year. If you’re the beneficiary of an old law death pension survivor benefit plan (also called the “minimum income widow” provision), we’ll pay you up to $11,699 for the year. The income limitation includes a 2.8% cost-of-living increase.

Past rates

Review protected pension rates from past years:

2025 rates (effective December 1, 2024)
2024 rates (effective December 1, 2023)
2023 rates (effective December 1, 2022)