Army Veteran Benefits
Long service U.S. Army veterans typically enjoy a good pension, but not all veterans are of sufficient service to receive a pension. However, there are a range of other benefits available to Army veterans, with conditions depending on their service and status.
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Federal Employment Privileges
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Veterans are eligible for five or 10 point preferences on Federal civil service exams. For five bonus points, the eligible are those who served in the Second World War; between April 28, 1952 and July 1, 1955; for 180-plus days between January 31, 1955 and October 15, 1976; in the Persian Gulf War; between September 11, 2001 and the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and in any other campaign for which a campaign medal has been authorized. The 10 point bonus is given to those who meet the previous requirement, but are also either a Purple Heart recipient or are disabled. All eligible veterans must be not dishonorably discharged from service.
G.I. Bill
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Veterans are eligible for certain educational benefits under the G.I. Bill. They may receive a payment of up to $1,321 per month to be applied to college courses or vocational training, to a maximum of $47,000 within 36 academic months (sufficient for a standard four-year degree). Any not dishonorably discharged veteran with a high school equivalency and two years of service is eligible.
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VA Services
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Personnel in the U.S. Army can enroll in that service's pension plan, but they may also be eligible for the Veterans Administration (VA) Pension Plan even if they did not. Veterans are eligible if they are either disabled or over 65, must have served at least 90 days in the military with at least one day in active war duty, and not be dishonorably discharged. They must also meet certain income requirements. For a single person with no dependents, that is an annual income below $11,830. Veterans are also eligible for VA health benefits under similar conditions, and are placed into a "priority group" on the basis of health status and financial means. Basically, the poorest and most ill veterans have more access to VA care than better off veterans.
U.S. Army Pension
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Army troopers are, like all members of the Armed Forces, allowed to enroll in a Federally-sponsored 401(k) style retirement plan called the Thrift Savings Plan. Like the 401(k), this is a tax-deferred matching contributions retirement savings and investment scheme.
U.S. Army Veterans Healthcare
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Army retirees are eligible for continued enrollment in the U.S. military's HMO-style healthcare plan, TRICARE. Veterans can enroll in either TRICARE Standard or TRICARE Extra, depending on the level of coverage desired and the costs they wish to be liable for. For example, standard is cheaper, but covers less. However, even TRICARE standard is very competitive when compared to virtually any private healthcare plan. Retirees in particular are eligible for TRICARE Retiree Dental, a separate from and much more flexible program than the TRICARE dental plan.
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Comments
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I'm an honorably discharged veteran of WWII, having served in the U.S.Army Air Corps from 12/26/1944 until 5/8/46. Am I entitled to any benefits? I understand that my age of 94 automatically entitled to disabiltity benefits. Is that correct?
