10 Things Veterans Should Know About Retirement Benefits

6. Most, but not all, disabled veterans are entitled to benefits.

Most disabled veterans who incurred their debilitating injury while in active duty qualify for a Disability Retirement benefit. The benefits include only those who did not experience their event due to intentional or willful neglect, or the injury happened during an authorized absence from service.

5. There are additional benefits available to veterans who became disabled during service.

These veterans may also be entitled to additional compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as severance pay.

(AP Photo)

4. Some reservists qualify for military retirement benefits.

Someone who was in the Reserves for 20 years or more, and who has completed what the government calls "satisfactory Federal service," may qualify for Reservists' Retirement. The military's Survivor Benefit Plan also applies to this qualified group.

3. Benefits are available to those left behind after a serviceman or woman dies in the line of duty.

Spouses, children and parents of anyone who became fatally ill or was killed while in active service qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits. This program specifically applies to dependents of military members who died while serving after 1956. Surviving beneficiaries also may be eligible for the service member's Social Security benefit. Eligibility ceases upon the survivor's remarriage or death.

2. Not all spouses will qualify for DIC benefits.

Surviving spouses whose marriage was less than a year long may not qualify for benefits. However, a surviving spouse is always eligible when the marriage produced a child or children.

1. Veterans and dependents should take questions and concerns about retirement benefits directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Call the following toll-free number to be routed directly to a telephone information service or the agency's nearest regional office: 1 (800) 827-1000.

(AP Photo)

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