Survivors Pension
VA Survivors Pension Rates (2026)
For 2026, VA's Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) for Survivors Pension is $11,699 a year for a surviving spouse with no dependents, $15,311 for a surviving spouse with 1 dependent child, and $18,697 for a surviving spouse with no dependents who qualifies for Aid and Attendance, effective December 1, 2025. The MAPR is the most pension VA can pay in a year, and VA bases your payment on the difference between your income for VA purposes and your MAPR.
- Surviving spouse
- $11,699
- MAPR a year, no dependents
- With 1 child
- $15,311
- MAPR a year, surviving spouse
- Surviving child
- $2,984
- MAPR a year
Maximum Annual Pension Rates
Find your Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) amount
Date of cost-of-living increase: . Increase factor: 2.8%. Standard Medicare deduction: Actual amount will be determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) based on individual income.
| If you have no dependents and… | Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $): |
|---|---|
| You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits | $11,699 |
| You qualify for Housebound benefits | $14,298 |
| You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits | $18,697 |
| You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits and you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran who served in the Spanish-American War (SAW) | $19,453 |
Notes:
- The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Minimum Income Annuity (MIW) limitation is $11,699
- If you have medical expenses, you may deduct only the amount that’s above 5% of your MAPR amount ($584 for a surviving spouse with no dependent child)
| 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 | $15,311 |
| You qualify for Housebound benefits | $17,902 |
| You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits | $22,304 |
| You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits and you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran who served in the Spanish-American War (SAW) | $22,979 |
Notes:
- The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Minimum Income Annuity (MIW) limitation is $11,699
- If you have more than 1 child, add $2,984 to your MAPR amount for each additional child
- If you have a child who works, you may exclude their wages up to $16,100
- If you have medical expenses, you may deduct only the amount that’s above 5% of your MAPR amount ($765 for a surviving spouse with 1 dependent)
| If you’re… | Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $): |
|---|---|
| A qualified surviving child | $2,984 |
Your MAPR amount is the maximum amount of pension payable to a Veteran, surviving spouse, or child.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 Survivors Pension rate for a surviving spouse with no dependents?
VA's Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) for a qualified surviving spouse with no dependents is $11,699 a year. It is $14,298 if you qualify for Housebound benefits and $18,697 if you qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits. These rates took effect December 1, 2025.
What is the 2026 Survivors Pension rate for a surviving spouse with a dependent child?
With 1 dependent child, the MAPR is $15,311 a year, $17,902 with Housebound benefits, and $22,304 with Aid and Attendance benefits. VA's table notes say to add $2,984 to the MAPR for each additional child.
What is the 2026 Survivors Pension rate for a surviving child?
VA's MAPR for a qualified surviving child is $2,984 a year.
How much is the 2026 Survivors Pension MAPR with Aid and Attendance?
For a qualified surviving spouse who qualifies for Aid and Attendance benefits, the MAPR is $18,697 a year with no dependents and $22,304 with 1 dependent child. If you're the surviving spouse of a Veteran who served in the Spanish-American War, it is $19,453 and $22,979.
Sources & Authorities
- 1.VA.gov: Current Survivors Pension benefit rates (opens in a new tab)
Agency. Rates effective ; VA page last updated
- 2.
- 3.