Active Service Members
If you’re an active service member this is what you need to know about your veterans’ benefits. Unlike previous generations of veterans, you have the advantage of having this resource at your fingertips. These are the benefits you’re entitled to after you’ve completed military service. Take advantage of them.
Retirement Pay
Once you’ve completed 20 or more years of service you will be entitled to retirement pay. The amount you receive will depend on your years of service, your rank and whether you’re retiring from Active-Duty, the Reserves or National Guard.
See the different types of Retirement.
See how much you will receive in retirement:
RETIREMENT PAY CALCULATAORS
FERS Retirement/Hiring Preference
After you leave active-duty, or while serving in the Reserves or National Guard you can earn a second retirement by going to work for the federal government as a FERS employee.
FERS is a retirement plan for federal employees, including those in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and it’s separate from military retirement.
Reserve and National Guard members have the added advantage of participating in the “Military Service Buy-Back Program“.
Additionally, retirement benefits, including a pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Learn More about FERS
Hiring Preference:
Veteran’s Preference are points (5 or 10) that a veteran is given when applying for federal government jobs that enable them to qualify above other applicants. Veterans’ preference applies to all new appointments in the competitive service and many in the excepted service. Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge) are eligible for veterans’ preference. If you are a “retired member of the armed forces” you are not included in the definition of preference eligible unless you are a disabled veteran OR you retired below the rank of major or its equivalent. There are basically three types of preference eligibility, sole survivorship (0 point preference eligible), non-disabled (5 point preference eligible) and disabled (10 point preference eligible).
Disability Benefits
If you have a disability from an injury or incident you experienced while serving in the military, you can file for disability benefits with the Veterans Administration (VA). These benefits range from medical care to financial payments depending on the level of your rating.
You can file for VA disability while on active-duty if you’re within 90-180 days of leaving active service. The program under which you do this is called the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program (BDD). This type of claim is decided within 30 days, and you can start receiving benefits as soon as you leave active service.
Follow these Success Tips when filing your Disability Claim.
Learn more about DISABILITY BENEFITS
Learn about DISABILITY CLAIMS
VA Healthcare Benefits
As a veteran you’re entitled to health care benefits from the VA. The VA healthcare benefits vary depending on your level of eligibility.
All enrolled Veterans have access to VA’s comprehensive medical benefits package including preventive, primary, and specialty care; prescriptions; mental health care; home health care; geriatrics and extended care; medical equipment and prosthetics; and more.
Most Veterans qualify for cost-free health care services, although some Veterans must pay modest copays for health care or prescriptions.
Women Veterans can receive primary care, breast and cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, maternity care coverage, and other gender-specific services.
Combat Veterans who were discharged or released from active service on or after Jan. 28, 2003, are eligible to enroll in the VA healthcare system for five years from the date of their discharge or release, regardless of their disability claim status.
Military Service Requirements
Veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and separated under any conditions other than dishonorable.
Most Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or who entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty. This includes current and former members of the Reserve or National Guard called to active duty by a federal order.
Learn more about the VA Healthcare Benefits
TRICARE
TRICARE is a benefit that active service members can continue to use after they retire from service. It allows veterans and their family members to use their private doctors that takes TRICARE and are located close to them.
Learn more about TRICARE
VALife
You’re eligible for VALife if you have a VA service-connected disability rating—even if your rating is 0%.
There’s no time limit to apply after getting your disability rating.
You can get these benefits:
Up to $40,000 in whole life insurance coverage (in $10,000 increments),
and
Cash value that starts to add up 2 years after your application approval.
Learn more about VALife
Educational Benefits
The educational benefits that veterans can receive includes the GI Bill, Scholarships and State Tuition Assistance programs. These benefits can cover all the cost associated with earning a degree or training and certification.
Learn more about:
GI BILL
SCHOLARSHIPS
STATES TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Space-A Travel Benefits
Space-A travel is a privilege that allows eligible military members and their families to travel using Department of Defense aircraft when seats are available at no cost.
Learn more about SPACE-A TRAVEL
Discounts
Many businesses across the country offers discounts to members of the military. After you leave active service most of these discounts are still available to you.
See Discounts that are available to you.
Commissary/Exchanges/MWR
As a veteran or a disabled-veteran you and your family members can still have access to Commissaries, Exchanges and MWR resources on military installations.
Learn More about Commissary/Exchanges/MWR
VA Home Loan Fee Waiver
You obtain a VA home loan with no fee (if you’re disabled) or a low fee if you’re not disabled. The VA home loan program doesn’t require down payments or monthly mortgage insurance. This is a tremendous cost saving.
Learn more about the VA HOME LOAN
Student Loan Forgiveness
Since you’re currently working for the government in your capacity as a service-member and you already have a student loan you may qualify for forgiveness of the entire remaining balance of your Direct Loans after you’ve made 120 qualifying payments—i.e., at least 10 years of payments. To benefit from PSLF, you need to repay your federal student loans under an IDR plan. You also qualify for this benefit after you leave service if you’re a 100% disabled veteran.
Learn more about STUDEN LOAN FORGIVENESS
Job Training/Certification
There are job training/certification opportunities offered to veterans free of charge.
Learn more about Job Training/Certification
Business Opportunities
If you’re interested in starting a business, there are many resources available to veterans to start and grow their businesses. They include the following:
–Business Mentorship and Training
–Minority Contracting Opportunities
–Financial Assistance
–Franchising Opportunities
–Military Exchanges Business Opportunities
–Private Industry Business Opportunities
Learn more about Business Opportunities
State Benefits
States provides benefits to disabled benefits that include education, property tax exemptions, exemption from vehicle registration and licensing fees, handicap plates, exemption from tool fees, etc.
Learn more about State Benefits