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Home → Veterans Guide to VA Benefits → Veteran Benefits-Survivors Benefits → Survivors or Death Pension

10.2. Survivors or Death Pension

Non-Service Connected Survivors Pension Benefit, aka "Non-Service Connected Death Pension"

The Non-Service Connected Survivors Pension benefit, which may also be referred to as Death Pension, is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.

The following requirements apply for the survivor pension:

1. Discharge Requirements for the deceased Veteran remain the same, and

2. Service Requirements for the deceased Veteran remain the same, and

3. The surviving spouse is the current spouse and is unmarried, and

4. The surviving unmarried children of the deceased Veteran are either:

   1. under 18 years of age,

   2. became permanently "helpless" before 18 years of age

   3. between the ages of 18 and 23 and is in the process of pursuing a course of study at an approved institution such as college or vocational school.

Date of cost-of-living increase: December 1, 2020

Increase factor: 1.3%
Standard Medicare deduction: Actual amount will be determined by SSA based on individual income.

The net worth limit to qualify for a Survivors Pension as of December 1, 2020, is $130,773.

For qualified surviving spouses with at least 1 dependent:

If you have 1 dependent child and…	Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $):
You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits	12,229
You qualify for Housebound benefits	14,300
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits	17,815
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits and you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran who served in the Spanish-American War (SAW)	18,355

Notes:

• The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Minimum Income Annuity (MIW) limitation is $9,344.
• If you have more than 1 child, add $2,382 to your MAPR amount for each additional child.
• If you have a child who works, you may exclude their wages up to $12,550.
• If you have medical expenses, you may deduct only the amount that’s above 5% of your MAPR amount ($611 for a surviving spouse with 1 dependent).

For qualified surviving spouses with no dependents:

If you have no dependents and…	Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $):
You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits	9,344
You qualify for Housebound benefits	11,420
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits	14,934
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits and you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran who served in the Spanish-American War (SAW)	15,539

Notes:

• The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Minimum Income Annuity (MIW) limitation is $9,344.
• If you have medical expenses, you may deduct only the amount that’s above 5% of your MAPR amount ($467 for a surviving spouse with no dependent child).

For qualified surviving children:

If you’re…	Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $):
A qualified surviving child	2,382

 

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