Veterans Benefits | Military Benefits

Best States with Veteran Benefits

It can be tricky to answer the question, “Which are the best states for military benefits?” because the answer depends greatly on your priorities and preferences. Do you need access to a range of medical treatment options? Are you planning on buying a home and want to know where the best housing markets are? Is education your priority?

That said, there are several states that offer more for veterans by the virtue of being home to a multitude of bases or installations. The variety of options open to a veteran in these states will likely be more appealing than areas with fewer options.

California

A 2016 survey published by Governing(dot)com lists California as having the highest number of currently serving military personnel, both active duty and guard/reserve. California is also home to a large number of military installations, which means those who are eligible for on-base care, commissary or AAFES access have a great many options.

California offers some unique education incentives for veterans including tuition waivers for state-run schools. California has a high number of VA healthcare facilities, second only to New York and Wyoming according to a survey published by WalletHub.

Texas

The Lone Star State also has a high number of military installations and a high number of military residents. But the benefits of living in Texas don’t just include proximity to VA health care centers, base exchanges, and on-base job opportunities. The State of Texas has a program called the Veterans Land Bohttps://militarybenefits.info/texas-veterans-benefits/ard (VLB), which the VLB official site describes as, “…the only one of its kind in the nation, giving Texas Veterans the opportunity to borrow up to $150,000 to purchase land at competitive interest rates while typically requiring a minimum 5% down payment for tracts one acre or more.”

This state also has multiple veteran retirement facilities, and thanks to legislation known as the Hazelwood Act, the state offers 150 hours of free higher education benefits in the form of tuition exemption at public colleges and universities in the state for those who list Texas as their home of record and/or who entered military service in the state.

Colorado

The State of Colorado offers some outstanding incentives for veterans including a 10-point hiring preference for state jobs offered to veterans receiving VA compensation for service-connected disabilities and career assistance to all veterans. There is a generous property tax benefit for qualifying disabled veterans, and a military retirement pay income tax break allowing retirees to exclude as much as $24 thousand in any year at tax time.

While the state offers certain education benefits to qualifying disabled veterans and has flexible requirements for military members who want to qualify for in-state tuition rates, Colorado doesn’t offer the same tuition exemption programs as the State of California. However, for those who plan to use the GI Bill in Colorado, the large number of public universities offers veterans plenty of options for a GI Bill-funded education.

Other States

Depending on your priorities, other states have much to offer. New York is ranked among the highest for the number of VA health care facilities available, Iowa ranks highly for the number of job opportunities for vets, and Florida is another state with a high number of military bases, a very large veteran community, and a diverse range of VA health services.

Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

AAFES Online Shopping For Veterans

by MilitaryBenefits

This Veterans Day AAFES and all online military exchanges will now be open to veterans. In years past, only currently serving military members and their families, and eligible military retirees could shop at AAFES stores. But AAFES adapts and changes with the times in a similar fashion to the military itself.

The Army/Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) operates department stores at U.S. military installations all over the world. These stores feature tax-free shopping, discounted goods, even a store credit card known as the Military Star Card.

Did you know that all honorably discharged veterans are eligible to register online and shop at AAFES the same way customers shop Amazon?

Veterans Can Sign Up To Shop Online At AAFES

The first thing honorably discharged veterans must do to register is to establish AAFES shopping eligibility via VetVerify.org. Applicants are required to submit verification of their military service, but it’s a very simple process. You’ll be asked to provide your full name, last four digits of your Social Security Number, date of birth, and a contact email.

Successful applicants are taken to a “Thank You!” page which includes notification of when veterans can start using this benefit. Spouse and dependents of veterans are not eligible however this probably won’t stop many from using the credentials of an authorized veteran to make purchases online.

Benefits Of Signing Up

Once a veteran is eligible to begin shopping online at AAFES stores, the perks include free stateside shipping on orders of $49 or more, tax-free shopping, and the option to sign up for a Military Star credit card.

What You Can Purchase

As with any “big box” department store, there is a variety of shopping options from clothes, toys and games to laptop computers and home stereo systems. But for some shoppers, one of the best features of AAFES online shopping is retaining access to the “Military” section.

It is true that many veterans won’t have any use for updated/upgraded BDUs or dress uniforms. But AAFES pricing and shopping choices for Leatherman multi-tools, boots, cold weather gear, and military-themed gifts definitely have an appeal for many. Veterans should know they will retain their ability to shop for these things and more.

Navy Vets Get Access Too

It’s true that the first three letters in the AAFES acronym stand for “Army” and “Air Force”, but Navy Exchange online shopping sites are also open to veterans who qualify.

Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News.

Military Retirement Benefits

by MilitaryBenefits

Military retirement marks a point in transitioning that requires a bit more planning and preparation than other milestones. Luckily, the military is on your side and does its best to prepare military and families for

Military Retirement benefits — Photo by 2nd Class Benjamin Wooddy

that ultimate transition to civilian life: military retirement. After all, it has likely been at least 20 years since families of a career-driven service member lived in one location for more than three years.

While a few VA retirement benefits will overlap with common veteran’s benefits, retirees receive a few extra benefits that only 20 years time in service can grant.

First things first: don’t forget to apply for a veterans retirement ID card. Unlike veterans serving less than 20 years, who have limited options in obtaining a veterans ID card, retired military veterans can be eligible to receive a DD Form 2 ID card, which is blue in color. See the Military and Veteran ID cards page for more information.

Next are military retirement benefits. Detailed information about these VA benefits can be found at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Anything that requires a form for enrollment, such as VA Health Care and the GI Bill, can be found at eBenefits.

Retirement Pay – Military retirement pay is dependent on the number of years served and when the service member enlisted. A breakdown of how military retirement pay is calculated can be found at “Understanding Military Retirement Pay.” This also includes a breakdown of retirement COLA and CBS/Redux. Military retirement pay can be managed on the DFAS website.

Disability – All disability is calculated on a per case basis. Disability claims must be submitted to the VA and processed; one claim per separate injury.

Veterans Group Life Insurance – The VGLI is just one type of life insurance available to retired veterans. The VA also offers Service-Disabled Veteran Insurance, or S-DVI, as well as Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance, which aids in the settling of a mortgage in the event of death. There is also Financial Aid Counseling for beneficiaries as well as assistance in online will preparation.

VA Home Loan – The VA Home Loan is not only available to veterans, but to their surviving spouses as well. Active duty service members may also be eligible for this loan, which may be something to consider when approaching retirement.

VA Health Care – Enrollment can be done online or in person at a local VA Medical Center, at which time eligibility is determined. This health care is only coverage for the veteran. Additional health insurance would be necessary for dependents.

VA Dental Care – Although dental care through the VA is limited, it is available to veterans with a service-connected dental disability. A single visit is also available through for veterans within 180 days of discharge if a full dental examination was not conducted prior to discharge.

GI Bill® – Education benefits are available for eligible veterans, or for their family members should they choose to transfer benefits. More information on the GI Bill can be found on our Veterans Education Page. Most likely, if you are a retired military veteran, you will receive 100% of your GI Bill benefits. This can be an opening step to your civilian career post military.

Veterans Discounts – Many businesses offer discounts that favor retirees. We’ve compiled lists of the most popular military and veterans discounts, which vary based on the business and the location.

For more information on veterans benefits available to you, visit the websites of the city, county, and state you reside in. These should have information on state and local benefits offered to veterans and retirees who live in those areas.

Natalie Zummo is a US Army veteran and wife of a Marine Corps veteran. She is currently living with her husband and son in New Hampshire, writing and studying in her free hours. Natalie holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and is underway to a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on Military Counseling.

Understanding Military Retirement Pay

by MilitaryBenefits

Military retirement pay is intended to recognize the selfless dedication to a career in the military. While important, calculating Military retirement pay benefits depend on individual circumstances determined by the circumstances below.

Those who served in the military (Active Duty, Reserves or Guard), for a typical length of at least 20 years, will receive military retirement pay. This benefit begins immediately and is based upon a specific calculation determined by the Department of Defense. Length of service, disability percentage, year the member entered the service, and type of retirement are all factors that pertain to retirement benefits equation.

In essence, retirement pay amount can be calculated by multiplying the service member’s Retired Base Pay by the Percentage Multiplier. Retired Base Pay is configured using either Final Pay or High-3.

Final Pay: Military who started serving before September 8, 1980 (via active duty or reserve), will receive retirement pay based on their final basic pay.
High-3: Military who started serving after September 7, 1980 (via active duty or reserve), will receive retirement pay equaling the average of the highest 36 months of basic pay. If their time in the service accounted for less than three years, base pay would be the average monthly active duty pay during the servicemember’s length of service.

The Percentage Multiplier is accounted for by the service member’s years of service. Typically, the percentage will be 2.5% per year of service. For example, a service member who has served 20 years would be given a 50% multiplier since 20 multiplied by 2.5% equals 50%.

When accounting for time of service, DIEMS (Date of Initial Entry to Military Service) is an important factor. There are a few circumstances to note when considering DIEMS. First, DIEMS for those who joined, separated, and then rejoined the military will be based on the first date of initial military service. Secondly, the DIEMS for members who

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ace Rheaume

enlisted under the delayed entry program will be the date in which they entered into the program as opposed to the date of when they reported for duty. Finally, if a person changes their status such as from reserve to active duty, DIEMS will be the initial joining date of service for the reserves.

Also, keep in mind that the years of service are calculated differently for a full time active duty service member versus a reserve service member. Retirement points are divided by 360 for those who served in the reserves. These points are converted to years of active duty service, and thus can be applied to the standard retirement pay formula.

Additional factors to consider when configuring retirement pay is Career Status Bonus/REDUX and Disability.

CSB/REDUX: If you retired under the CSB/REDUX plan, which is an option available to active duty members who entered service on or after August 1, 1986 and includes a $30K bonus, the retired pay multiplier will be decreased by 1% of each year served. Additionally, this plan utilizes the High-36 retirement method.

DISABILITY: Disability Retired pay is either 2% per service year OR a disability percentage assigned by the service at the time of retirement. By law, the multiplier cannot exceed 75%.

Regardless of the many factors and equations, it’s reassuring to know that military retired pay is considered one of the best and basically, the longer you serve, the higher your pay will be.

Social Security Rates in 2016: The Good and The Bad

by MilitaryBenefits

Social Security profoundly affects millions of Americans and the cost is astronomical. In fact, the Social Security Administration reports that in fiscal year 2016, they will pay out one trillion dollars in benefit payments.

Along with this cost, the Administration mentioned a few noteworthy items within their budget request pertaining to Social Security for (FY) 2016:

1. The number of disability appeals hearings pending will be reduced. A record number of hearings will be completed thus, decreasing the amount pending. However, reduced processing times will not be feasible until fiscal year 2017.

2. An effort will be made to increase the reduction of improper payments; combat fraud, waste and abuse; and invest in efforts which will enable the SSA to provide more modern, efficient service.

3. The 2016 fiscal year budget request level will help SSA build upon their current progress. It will allow them to accomplish their goals that they are currently focusing on during the 2014-2018 Strategic Plan which includes:

Enhancing service delivery through innovation and collaboration
- Handling a record number of retirement claims
- Improving national 800 number service
- Increase number of processed disability appeals
- Reduce hearings backlogs for the future
- Employ video technology for interpreter services and face-to-face services to remote and rural areas

Strengthening the integrity of the SSA programs
- Continue a reduction of improper payments and fraud
- Decrease the Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) backlog

Focusing on quality and efficiency for the disability program
- Invest in quality improvements that will allow SSA to make right decisions at the right time
- Continue to reduce improper payments

Invest in the SSA employees
- Investing in training opportunities allowing the employees to gain knowledge and tools necessary for their work
- Continuing to foster an inclusive culture that promotes well-being of employees

Continuing to maintain safe and secure technology services
- Information will continue being accessible to a broad population
- Online services will continue to be secure and easy to use
- A robust IT operation will be maintained which allows the support for large demands of the Social Security program and other government programs

There will not be a cost-of-living increase this year, which is due to a calculation figuring the increase and/or lack of increase for benefits. This calculation is done by the SSA, which takes an average from the Consumer Price Index for July, August, and September. The average is then compared to the number from the previous year. The end result is the percentage to which Social Security benefits are adjusted. This is referred to as the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

It is important to remember that COLA cannot be reduced to an amount less than what the Veteran or the survivors were receiving at the effective date of allowance. In other words, this means that the beginning allowance amount will be guaranteed for life at a minimum. Although 2016 COLA is not changing because of recent estimates, the lack of increase this year can be challenging for recipients because retirees have already had to adjust to minimal cost of living increases in their benefits over the past years.

Usually, the CPI will increase from year to year, and as a result, COLA adjustments are applied as “increases” and Social Security payments will then increase. However, it is possible for the COLA adjustment to be applied as a “decrease” if the CPI decreases from one year to the next.

Unfortunately, the cost of living will most likely always rise. And although Social Security payments will not decrease, it still may be financially straining not to have the increase many were hoping for. That’s why it is beneficial to effectively budget for the year ahead without including an increase in Social Security, considering it does not always rise.