Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA): Pension Programs (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Sept. 3, 2024 |
| Report Number |
R46511 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Heather M. Salazar |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
administers three veteran pension programs. These programs provide monthly benefits to
wartime service veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions or to their
survivors who meet specific age or disability requirements and have limited incomes. Two of
VA’s main VBA pension programs are needs-based, unlike VA’s disability compensation
program.
• The Veterans Pension makes payments to certain disabled, low-income veterans. In FY2023, the program
paid an average annual benefit of $14,211 to 153,568 beneficiaries, or $2.18 billion total.
• The Survivors Pension (also known as the Survivor Benefit Pension, or SBP) makes payments to certain
low-income spouses or children of deceased veterans. In FY2023, the program paid an estimated average
annual benefit of $10,772 to about 109,364 beneficiaries, or $1.18 billion total.
A third pension program is available to veterans who received the Medal of Honor. Unlike the other two pension programs, it
is not a needs-based or income-based program. The only requirement is having received the Medal of Honor. There are fewer
than 70 living Medal of Honor recipients who qualify for this pension.
This report discusses the eligibility criteria and current benefit levels of these programs. In addition, the report provides data
on the number of pension beneficiaries and the average annual benefit amounts for FY2019-FY2023.
