Survivors Pension

Income-Based Pension for Surviving Spouses of Wartime Veterans

💛 The Survivors Pension provides monthly income to low-income surviving spouses of wartime veterans. This is different from DIC — the veteran's death does NOT need to be service-connected.
Section 1

📋 Survivors Pension vs. DIC

It's important to understand the difference between Survivors Pension and DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation).

💛 Survivors Pension

  • Death does NOT need to be service-connected
  • Income-based — must meet income/net worth limits
  • Veteran must have served during wartime
  • Amount varies based on income

💜 DIC

  • Death must be service-connected (or 100% for 10+ years)
  • Not income-based
  • Wartime service not required
  • Fixed monthly amount (~$1,612/month)
Section 2

✅ Eligibility Requirements

Veteran Requirements

  • Served at least 90 days active duty (1 day during wartime)
  • Discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
  • Served during a wartime period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War)

Surviving Spouse Requirements

  • Legally married to the veteran at the time of death
  • Not remarried (exceptions for remarriage after age 57)
  • Income is below the MAPR limit
  • Net worth is below $155,356 (2026)
Section 3

💰 MAPR Rates (2026)

The Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) determines the maximum benefit. Your actual payment = MAPR minus your countable income.

💵 Surviving spouse alone: ~$10,805/year (~$900/month)
👨‍👩‍👧 With 1 dependent: ~$14,150/year (~$1,179/month)
🤝 With A&A: ~$17,273/year (~$1,439/month)
How it works: If your MAPR is $10,805/year and your countable income is $6,000/year, your pension would be $10,805 - $6,000 = $4,805/year ($400/month).
Section 4

🤝 Aid & Attendance / Housebound Add-Ons

Surviving spouses who need help with daily activities or are substantially confined to home can receive higher pension rates.

Aid & Attendance (A&A)

  • Need help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating)
  • Bedridden or in a nursing home
  • Blind or nearly blind
  • Significantly higher MAPR rate

Housebound

  • Substantially confined to home
  • Unable to leave without assistance
  • Higher MAPR than basic but lower than A&A

Learn more at our Aid & Attendance Guide and VA Pension Guide.

Section 5

📝 How to Apply

1
Complete VA Form 21P-534EZ — Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits. Available at VA.gov.
2
Gather required documents: veteran's DD-214, death certificate, marriage certificate, income/net worth documentation.
3
Report all income sources — Social Security, pensions, investments, employment.
4
Deduct medical expenses. Unreimbursed medical expenses can reduce countable income, increasing your pension.
5
Submit online, by mail, or in person at your local VA Regional Office or through a VSO.
Section 6

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

A: No, you cannot receive both simultaneously. If eligible for both, you receive whichever is higher. DIC is usually the better benefit since it's not income-based.

A: Yes. Social Security income counts toward the income limit. However, unreimbursed medical expenses (including Medicare premiums, prescriptions, and long-term care costs) can be deducted from countable income.

A: Yes. The Survivors Pension does not require service connection. The veteran just needs to have served during a wartime period with at least 90 days of active duty and a non-dishonorable discharge.

A: If you remarried after age 57, you may still be eligible. If you remarried before age 57, you lost eligibility. However, if that subsequent marriage ended (divorce or death), you may regain eligibility.