VA Pension Calculator2026 Veterans Pension, Aid & Attendance and Housebound Estimator
VA pension pays your Maximum Annual Pension Rate minus countable family income: up to $17,441 a year for a veteran alone, $22,839 with one dependent and $34,488 with Aid and Attendance in 2026, after deducting medical costs above 5% of the MAPR. Enter your household, income and medical costs to estimate your monthly pension and check the net worth limit.
Rates from the VA veterans pension rates and the Federal Register notice effective December 1, 2025.
Eligibility checks
How the VA pension is calculated in 2026
VA pension pays the difference between your Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) and your countable family income. For 2026 the MAPR is $17,441 a year for a wartime veteran with no dependents, $22,839 with one dependent, and up to $34,488 with Aid and Attendance. Unreimbursed medical expenses above 5% of the MAPR are subtracted from income, and your net worth must be no more than $163,699.
Pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans who are 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled, with limited income. It is separate from disability compensation, and you cannot receive both; the VA pays whichever is higher.
2026 MAPR (maximum annual pension rates)
| Veteran’s situation | Basic pension | Housebound | Aid and Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| No dependents | $17,441 | $21,313 | $29,093 |
| One dependent (spouse or child) | $22,839 | $26,710 | $34,488 |
| Each additional child | +$2,984 | +$2,984 | +$2,984 |
| Two veterans married to each other | $22,839 | $26,710 / $30,580 | $34,488 / $46,143 |
Effective December 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA), as published in the Federal Register. Net worth limit $163,699.
The formula
Example: a veteran with a spouse, $15,000 of Social Security and $3,000 of medical costs. 5% of $22,839 is $1,142, so $1,858 is deductible. Countable income is $13,142, pension is $9,697 a year, about $808 a month.
Who qualifies
At least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a wartime period (or 24 months if you entered after September 7, 1980), and a discharge other than dishonorable.
65 or older, permanently and totally disabled, in a nursing home for long-term care, or receiving SSDI or SSI.
Assets plus annual income no more than $163,699 for 2026. Your home and car do not count.
Paid when you need help with daily activities, are bedridden, in a nursing home, or have very limited eyesight.
How to use this VA pension calculator
- Pick your situationBasic, Housebound or Aid and Attendance, and number of dependents.
- Enter yearly family incomeSocial Security, pensions, wages and investment income for you and your dependents.
- Enter unreimbursed medical costsIncluding Medicare premiums and care costs.
- Check net worthMake sure assets plus income stay under the limit.
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Compare pension with disability compensation; the VA pays the higher.
Work out a combined rating if you also have service-connected conditions.
VA pension FAQ
Up to $17,441 a year for a veteran with no dependents, $22,839 with one dependent, $21,313 or $26,710 with Housebound, and $29,093 or $34,488 with Aid and Attendance, minus your countable income.
The VA subtracts your countable family income from your MAPR. Medical expenses above 5% of the MAPR reduce countable income.
$163,699, effective December 1, 2025. Your primary home and vehicle are not counted.
Wartime veterans with limited income who are 65 or older, permanently and totally disabled, in a nursing home, or receiving SSDI or SSI, with a discharge other than dishonorable.
A higher pension rate for veterans who need help with daily living, are bedridden, live in a nursing home or have very limited eyesight.
Not both. The VA pays whichever benefit is greater.
No, VA pension is not taxable income.
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Manzoor Ahmad
Calculator developer & web designer · 13+ years in web development and SEO
Last reviewed: October 30, 2026I am a pharmacist turned tech geek, and I design, code and test every calculator on DexoCalc myself. I have not served in the military, so this tool does not run on opinion: every MAPR figure comes from the VA’s Federal Register notice of rates effective December 1, 2025, and the formula follows the VA’s published method for countable income and the 5% medical deductible.
Spot a result that does not match an official source? Tell me and I will re-check it.
Sources
- VA: Veterans Pension rates
- Federal Register: Cost-of-living adjustments for VA pension (2026)
- VA: Eligibility for Veterans Pension
Disclaimer: DexoCalc is independent and not affiliated with the Department of Defense (Department of War), the Department of Veterans Affairs or any military branch. Results are educational estimates; official records and your chain of command decide.
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