Military Benefits for Active Duty

Military service members are eligible for a robust benefits package that includes things like health insurance, retirement savings plans, tuition assistance, disability compensation, and much more. When you consider the full value of these benefits, they can be worth over $50,000 in additional compensation beyond just your base military pay. This article will explore the key benefits available to service members and veterans to help you understand just how lucrative your total compensation package can be.

Exploring The Benefits

Before diving into the details of specific programs, it helps to understand the full scope of benefits available. Broadly speaking, benefits fall into three main categories:

• Benefits available while actively serving
• Benefits available after separating from service
• Lifetime benefits available to all veterans

Some benefits like health insurance and tuition assistance help support you and your family during your time on active duty or in the reserves. Others like the GI Bill and VA home loans reward your service by helping you transition back to civilian life. And benefits like disability compensation and pensions provide an important safety net for veterans of all ages.

When you look at the whole package, military benefits extend well beyond just the salary you earn. Let’s explore some of the most valuable benefits to understand how they can add to your bottom line.

Military Benefits

While serving, the military provides everything you need to support yourself and your family. Tax-free allowances for housing and food help stretch your base military pay. Outstanding healthcare, training, and other benefits add over $20,000 per year in value.

Military Pay

Base pay for all ranks is determined by your paygrade and years of service. Annual raises and the possibility of promotions provide a steady income as you advance in your career. Certain hazardous or technical roles also qualify for incentive, hardship, or specialty pays that can boost your earnings.

Military Retirement Benefits

After 20 years of qualifying service, you become eligible to receive an immediate pension equal to 50% of your base pay at retirement. If you retire at an E-7 paygrade, this could mean over $25,000 in annual pension income for life starting immediately after your 20-year career.

Military Tuition Assistance

While serving, you can take college classes with 100% tuition coverage. This benefit saves you thousands on the cost of earning a degree while serving. Combine tuition assistance with the GI Bill after separation, and you can earn a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree with minimal out-of-pocket costs.

Veterans’ Benefits

After separation, your service makes you eligible for programs that help you transition back to civilian life. The GI Bill provides 4+ years of education benefits. VA loans give access to $0 down home financing. And veteran-specific programs assist with healthcare, disability, employment, and much more.

Veterans Burial and Survivor’s Benefits

The VA provides several benefits to help veterans and their families with end-of-life costs. This includes burial in a national cemetery, government-furnished headstones or markers, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and survivor death benefits. There are also monthly stipends available to low-income surviving spouses.

Veterans Health

Enrolling in the VA healthcare system provides access to comprehensive medical, dental, and mental healthcare. Treatment for service-connected conditions is free for veterans. Co-pays for non-service related care are also very low cost. This can represent thousands in savings compared to civilian healthcare.

VA Benefits You Can Use During and After Service

• Healthcare – Free or low-cost medical, dental, and mental healthcare
• Education – GI Bill education benefits worth over $20K per year
• Home Loans – Purchase a home with no money down
• Life Insurance – Low-cost term life insurance from $6 per month
• Pension – Supplemental income for low-income wartime veterans
• Disability – Over $3K average monthly payment for injuries/conditions related to service

Time-Sensitive VA Benefits To Consider When Separating or Retiring

Some VA benefits have time limits on when you can apply after leaving service. Be sure to look into these within your first year after active duty:

• Disability Claim – File within one year for best chance of approval
• GI Bill – Must use within 15 years after active duty
• VA Loan – Purchase with no down payment within one year after separation
• Dental Care – Apply within 180 days to keep dental coverage

VA Transition Assistance Program

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides separating service members with job search support, skill translation, resume assistance, and training opportunities. Attending TAP workshops before separation can help you successfully navigate the civilian job market and make the most of your veteran status with employers.

Your Benefits: Active Guard Reserve

Serving in the reserve components also makes you eligible for military benefits – just at a prorated level based on time served actively each year. Benefits like education and healthcare extend to guard and reserve members on active duty orders. Others like the GI bill and retirement can be earned over time by accumulating your total active service.

Certified Benefits and Services

Beyond the basics like pay and healthcare, there are programs for almost any need a service member or veteran may have. Here are some top government certified benefits and services available:

Home Loans

VA home loans help veterans purchase a home with no down payment required. Since the VA guarantees the loan, veterans can enjoy low interest rates without needing perfect credit. Over 2 million VA home loans have been issued to help veterans achieve homeownership.

Life Insurance

The VA’s Veterans Group Life Insurance program (VGLI) provides renewable term life insurance just for veterans starting at $6 per month. It offers lifetime renewable coverage up to $400,000. VGLI plans do not have war or aviation exclusions like some civilian policies.

Disability Compensation

Veterans with a medical condition, injury, or disability related to their service can qualify for monthly tax-free compensation. On average, VA disability payments are around $3,500 per month. Additional allowances are available for veterans who need regular aid from a caregiver.

Pension

Veterans who served during wartime, are permanently disabled, and have limited income may qualify for a VA pension. This provides supplemental income to help cover basic living expenses. Pension amounts depend on your specific situation but can provide over $1,000 per month in aid.

Help and Guidelines

Navigating any government bureaucracy can seem intimidating at times. Luckily, there are people and resources available to help you identify and apply for the benefits you deserve. Here are a few top options for getting help:

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Also called the Chapter 31 program, VR&E provides job training, resume development, educational counseling, and job placement assistance to service members leaving the military. VR&E counselors can help you navigate your transition and set you up for success in your civilian career.

Federal Benefits for Veterans

This VA website offers an A-Z list of all federal programs and benefits available to veterans along with eligibility information. Easy access to consolidated benefit details can help you identify lesser-known programs that may apply to your situation.

Get Help from Veterans Crisis Line

Call, chat, or text with qualified responders on the Veteran Crisis Line if you are struggling with mental health issues, homelessness, addiction, or suicidal thoughts. Support is confidential and available 24/7 to help veterans in difficult circumstances.

Education and Salary

Military service provides outstanding education benefits that set you up for success after service. College credit opportunities while enlisted help fast track a degree. And the GI Bill provides full tuition coverage along with a living stipend after separation. This support empowers veterans to increase their qualifications and earning potential in the civilian job market.

Studies consistently show the earnings potential for veterans exceeds non-veteran peers. Leadership experience, technical skills training, security clearance, and discipline make veterans highly valued in today’s labor market. With education benefits boosting qualifications even further, veterans have outstanding lifelong career prospects.

Time Off

Between vacation days, sick leave, holidays and generous military leave policies, service members enjoy plenty of time off each year. New enlistees start with over a month of total vacation time during their first year of service. This increases steadily up to over 6 weeks of paid time off annually after 15+ years of service.

Holidays and leave policies are designed to help military members balance their commitment to service with quality time for family and personal needs. And you continue to receive your full pay and allowances while taking earned time off.

Insurance

Health, dental, life, and disability insurance are all included automatically as part of military compensation packages. Premiums are fully covered by the government – service members do not pay anything out of pocket.

This insurance provides essential financial and healthcare protections for service members and their families. The value of these policies can be worth over $10,000 per year compared to paying for equivalent private coverage.

After separating from service, veterans still have access to convert their policies to individual plans with very competitive group rates. So the insurance benefits continue even after your active duty orders end.

Savings and Assistance

There are programs available to help veterans across all financial situations – from planning for retirement to navigating periods of hardship.

• Thrift Savings Plan – Start saving for retirement through automatic deductions from your military paycheck. TSP offers matching contributions to boost your savings.
• Military Relief Societies – Get help covering emergency costs like rent, food, utilities, medical bills, etc. Aid is offered through one-time grants, short-term loans, or in-kind assistance.
• Financial Management Programs – Free counseling and advice is available on budgeting, debt management, savings goals, and getting financially prepared for transition.

No matter your current financial circumstances, take advantage of military programs to establish good saving habits and get help through any rough patches. The benefits will support you and your family throughout your life.

How long is Active Duty for Benefits?

To qualify for most veteran benefits, you must complete at least 24 months of continuous active duty service. Or you can serve the full period you were called up for as a National Guard or Reserve member. Benefits may be prorated for active duty periods under 24 months. But any length of active service establishes your eligibility as a veteran.

What to do after 4 years in the Military?

You have lots of options after completing one enlistment contract! Many choose to reenlist and continue military service as a career. If ready for civilian life, attend TAP workshops and use your GI Bill education benefits to start school or training in your desired field. Your leadership experience and security clearance also make you very marketable to civilian employers. Take advantage of one-on-one VA career counseling to help decide your next steps.

Is 20 Years Active Duty Worth it?

20 years of active duty service unlocks military retirement benefits. After a 20-year career, you can collect an immediate pension equal to 50% of your base pay at retirement. Someone retiring at an E-7 paygrade could receive over $25,000 per year in retirement income for life. The financial security of a military retirement makes staying for 20 worth it for many service members.

What can Military Members get for Free?

Tuition assistance and gym access provide two great free resources while serving. The Military OneSource program also offers free tax filing services, counseling, family programs, and more. Through Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs, bases offer free or low-cost recreation like libraries, sports leagues, outdoor equipment rentals, and auto hobby shops. Veterans can continue taking advantage of free healthcare, education benefits, and other programs after separating from service as well.

Conclusion

The wide range of military and veteran benefits add tremendous value beyond just basic pay. When you tally up the full compensation package – health insurance, retirement savings, education, housing and food allowances, tax perks, insurance, and much more – total benefits can exceed $50,000 per year. Serving our country comes with not just a steady paycheck but also long-term financial advantages and security for veterans and their families. Educating yourself on all the benefits available is the first step toward getting the most value from your military service.