Most writing about VA pension talks about the veteran. But the survivors pension, sometimes still called the death pension, is its own benefit with its own rate table, its own rules, and a fair amount of quiet confusion around it. A surviving spouse of a wartime veteran can receive up to $974 a month in 2026 at the basic rate, or up to $1,558 a month with Aid and Attendance, and the benefit is entirely tax-free.
The math works exactly like the veteran's pension: the VA sets a maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for your household type, subtracts your countable income, and pays the difference in twelve monthly installments. The rates below took effect December 1, 2025, after the 2.8% COLA.
The 2026 survivors pension MAPR table
| Surviving spouse | Basic | Housebound | Aid & Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| No dependent child | $11,699 / $974 mo | $14,298 / $1,191 mo | $18,697 / $1,558 mo |
| One dependent child | $15,311 / $1,275 mo | $17,902 / $1,491 mo | $22,304 / $1,858 mo |
| Each additional child | Add $2,984 / $249 mo | ||
A surviving child with no eligible parent has a MAPR of $2,984 a year. Notice the pattern: the enhanced rates for Aid and Attendance roughly double the basic payment for the same household, which is why getting the care-level classification right matters so much. We compared Aid and Attendance vs Housebound in detail earlier, and the same logic applies to survivors.
Who qualifies, and the worked example
The veteran had to serve at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a wartime period, discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The spouse had to be married to the veteran at the time of death and must not have remarried. Income and net worth must sit under the VA limits, and unreimbursed medical expenses can reduce countable income, the same 5% rule that helps veterans.
Here is the formula with real numbers, using the VA's own example. Take a surviving spouse with one dependent child qualifying for Aid and Attendance: MAPR $22,304. Countable yearly income $10,000. Pension = $22,304 minus $10,000 = $12,304 a year, or about $1,025 a month. If countable income reaches the MAPR, the pension is $0. Every dollar of income above the deductible floor reduces the check dollar for dollar.
That dollar-for-dollar offset is also why this pairs awkwardly with Social Security income, which counts as income for pension purposes. A surviving spouse collecting both needs to run the numbers carefully.
The application is VA Form 21P-534EZ, the same form used for DIC and accrued benefits claims. Pension claims have been processing faster lately, and the 2026 timeline shows where the time goes and how to file without delays.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a surviving spouse get Aid and Attendance?
Yes. The enhanced rates apply to surviving spouses who need help with daily personal care, with the same medical-necessity standards as veterans. The 2026 A&A MAPR for a spouse with no dependents is $18,697 a year.
Does the net worth limit apply to survivors?
Yes. Survivors face the same net worth and look-back rules as veteran pensioners. High medical expenses reduce countable income but do not change the net worth test.
What if the veteran's death was service-connected?
Then DIC is usually the better benefit, since it pays a flat $1,699 a month regardless of income. Compare both before choosing; in some cases a survivor may be eligible for one but not the other.
Sources: VA survivors pension rates (va.gov), effective December 1, 2025; VALoanNetwork 2026 pension rate tables; VA Form 21P-534EZ. Figures verified October 2026. This is general information, not legal or financial advice; consult an accredited representative for your situation.