• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
    • Scott P. Schomer Certified As Specialist In Estate Planning, Trust And Probate Law
    • Trust and Probate Litigation: Verdicts and Settlements
  • Services
    • Estate Planning
    • Probate
    • Trust Administration
    • Trust, Probate and Estate Litigation
    • Family-Owned Businesses
    • IRA & Retirement Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Loss of a Loved One
    • Power of Attorney
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Asset Protection & Business Planning
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Young Families
  • Probate
    • Is Probate Always Necessary In California?
    • Probate & Estate Planning Savings Calculator
    • Probate Administration
    • Probate Code 850 Petitions
    • Probate Disputes
    • Probate In California
    • Probate Laws
    • Probate Litigation
    • Why Hire A Probate Attorney
  • Elder Law
    • Conservatorship
    • Coping with Alzheimer’s
    • Estate Planning
  • Resources
    • Elder Law
      • Elder Law & Medi-Cal Definitions
      • Elder Law Reports
    • Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning Articles
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate Planning Reports
        • Advanced Estate Planning
        • Basic Estate Planning
        • Estate Planning for Niches
        • Trust Administration
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Special Needs Planning Can Protect Benefits
      • Top 10 Estate and Legacy Planning Techniques
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Free Seminars
      • Webinars
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Advance Health Care Directives
      • Asset Protection
      • California Adult Conservatorship
      • Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning & Remarriage
      • Frequently Asked Questions For Families Without An Estate Plan
      • In-Home Elder Care
      • IRA Inheritance Planning
      • IRA & SECURE Act
      • Irrevocable Trust
      • Last Will and Testament
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Living Trust
      • Probate
      • Special Needs Planning
      • Trusts
      • Trust Administration
      • Wills
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Presentations
    • Published Book
    • Trust Administration & Probate Resources
      • Bereavement Resources
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • Loss of a Loved One
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Will
      • Trust Administration & Probate Definitions
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Communities We Serve
    • Los Angeles County
      • Bellflower
      • Cerritos
      • El Segundo
        • El Segundo Probate Resources
      • Hawthorne
      • Inglewood
      • Long Beach
        • Long Beach Elder Resources
        • Long Beach Probate Resources
      • Manhattan Beach
      • Playa del Rey
      • Santa Monica
      • Westchester
        • Westchester Elder Resources
        • Westchester Probate Resources
    • Orange County
      • Anaheim
      • Buena Park
      • Cypress
      • Fountain Valley
      • Garden Grove
      • Huntington Beach
        • Huntington Beach Elder Resources
        • Huntington Beach Probate Resources
      • Los Alamitos
        • Los Alamitos Probate Resources
      • Rossmoor
      • Stanton
      • Seal Beach
      • Westminster
  • Contact Us
  • BLOG
  • Videos

Schomer Law Group, Los Angeles Estate Planning and Elder Law and Elder Law Attorneys

Schomer Law Group, Los Angeles Estate Planning and Elder Law and Elder Law Attorneys

Connect With Us Today (310) 337-7696

Attend a Free Event
Home » Estate Planning » Including Veterans Pension Benefits in Your Retirement Planning

Including Veterans Pension Benefits in Your Retirement Planning

July 13, 2017Estate Planning

Los Alamitos veterans pension benefits lawyerVeterans who are working on their retirement plan should always consider the various types of financial support they may receive during their lifetime. The two most common types of financial benefits available for veterans are pension benefits and compensation benefits. In this post, our Los Alamitos veterans pension benefits lawyer will discuss the basics regarding veterans pension benefits.

How are compensation and pension benefits for veterans different?

When it comes time to plan for financial support in retirement, veterans actually have a few options.  Compensation and pension benefits are not the same types of resource. Compensation benefits are paid to veterans who are disabled as a result of their military service. These types of benefits are, therefore, not income-based but are based instead on the severity of the disability and the veteran’s ability to work. It is important to realize that not every disabled veteran is eligible for compensation benefits because not all disabilities are service-connected.

Pension benefits are different in that they are awarded to veterans who served in the military during congressionally defined wartime and who are permanently and totally disabled, even if the cause is not solely related to their military service.  Also, pension benefits do not accrue based on length of service, as with employment-based pensions. Instead, veterans pension benefits are paid monthly to eligible veterans with a disability.

What are the eligibility requirements for veterans pension benefits?

In order for a veteran to be eligible for disability pension benefits they must not have been dishonorably discharged, must have limited income, must be permanently and totally disabled, and that disability must not be the result of willful misconduct. Also, for veterans who joined the military after 1980, he or she must have served at least 24 months of active duty or the entire time he or she was called to duty. Veterans who were discharged because of service-related disabilities must have served a continuous period of at least 90 days during a period of war or at least one day during wartime.

The purpose of the veterans pension program

The veterans pension program was originally established as a way to provide supplemental income to veterans who were required to change their career goals in order to serve in the military. In light of the financial security most veterans had to relinquish when serving, the pension program was created as a need-based program.  It was meant to supplement the social security income totally disabled veterans receive.

Automatic eligibility for veterans over the age of 65

Veterans over the age of 65 are presumptively permanently and totally disabled and therefore, in most cases, automatically eligible for pension benefits.  On the other hand, a veteran cannot receive both pension and compensation benefits. So, if you qualify for both types of benefits, you must choose which type of benefit you would prefer. In order to establish eligibility for pension benefits, veterans are generally required to submit to a physician’s examination, referred to as the Compensation and Pension Exam. If you have questions about establishing eligibility, our Los Alamitos veterans pension benefits lawyer is here to help.

Veterans still need to plan for retirement

Clients often have the false impression that social security benefits and a basic 401K are sufficient for retirement.  The truth is, it is important to create a real retirement plan so you won’t need to be dependent on government benefits, in order to have a comfortable retirement.  Social security may not be as secure as you think.  That’s why you need a retirement plan. Our Los Alamitos veterans pension benefits lawyer can help you to include your pension benefits in your retirement planning for the best possible outcome.

It is important to begin to set aside sufficient savings as soon as possible

A huge part of retirement planning is being sure you have enough money saved up to support your financial needs once you retire from the workforce.  It should go without saying that, the sooner you start putting money aside, the more you can have saved up by the time retirement actually rolls around.  So, if you haven’t already, open a savings account and start making your regular deposits immediately.  The sooner the better because you will be able to benefit from more compound interest.

Update your retirement plan whenever necessary to keep it current

It is important to occasionally review your retirement plan to be sure that necessary changes are made.  Just like an estate plan, a retirement plan needs to be reviewed sporadically so you can make necessary revisions and adjustments that will address changes in the market.  Those changes could potentially have a negative effect on your investments.  If they are not addressed you could lose out on a lot of income.  You may also need to adjust your plan when there is a change in your income or expenses that may alter your overall plan.

If you have questions regarding estate planning, trust contests, or any other trust administration issues, please contact the Schomer Law Group either online or by calling us in Los Angeles at (310) 337-7696, and in Orange County at (562) 346-3209.

#estateplanning, #schomerlawgroup and #veteranspensionbenefits

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Scott Schomer, Estate Planning Attorney
Scott Schomer, Estate Planning Attorney
A graduate of Boston University School of Law, Scott P. Schomer is a frequent lecturer on estate planning and elder law issues, having discussed these important issues on local and national television. A seasoned courtroom advocate, Scott has obtained combined judgments and verdicts in excess of twenty-five million dollars for his clients. Scott has served as a member of the Los Angeles Superior Court Probate Volunteer Panel (PVP Attorney), Probate Settlement Panel and a Judge Pro Tempore. Scott's expertise has been recognized by his peers with such accolades as a life-time membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Five Star Wealth Manager designation, and repeated nominations as California Super Lawyer.
Scott Schomer, Estate Planning Attorney
Latest posts by Scott Schomer, Estate Planning Attorney (see all)
  • Things You May Need to Update in Your Estate Plan When You Enter Retirement - March 22, 2023
  • 10 Estate Planning Tips You Cannot Afford to Ignore - March 21, 2023
  • 7 Estate Planning Steps for the Beginner - March 16, 2023

Other Articles You May Find Useful

estate planning tips
10 Estate Planning Tips You Cannot Afford to Ignore
estate planning steps
7 Estate Planning Steps for the Beginner
Estate planning
How Do I Approach the Subject of Estate Planning with My Elderly Parents?
Los Angeles estate planning attorneys
Marriage and Divorce: How Your Estate Plan Can Help Protect Assets
The Lessons from Lisa Marie
What Happens When You Don’t Trust Your Trustee – Part I

Primary Sidebar

Schomer Law Group, Los Angeles Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law Attorneys

Schomer Law Group

Subscribe To Our Blog

Sign up using the form below to get our latest estate planning updates!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Testimonials

Client Review
July 29, 2020
    

We need to update our Living Trust and attended Schomer Law Group’s seminar. Afterwards we made an appointment and were impressed by the attention Scott Schomer and Liran Aliav gave to our case answering all questions and making suggestions how to minimize the estate tax. All the office staff is very friendly and we highly recommend Schomer Law Group.

Frank & Jutta R
Client Review
July 29, 2020
    

Mr. Schomer does an amazing job at explaining all the intricacies of establishing a trust. He and his team help you every step of the way so you always know what to expect and what you are preparing for. Best education you can get and the best gift you can give your family.

Paula M.
Client Review
July 29, 2020
    

We put off getting a trust for years. After attending a seminar with Scott Schomer we realized that the time had come to get a trust. We were given very good reasons for why we should get a trust. No pressure, just the plain facts. We are very relieved and happy to finally get our trust. Scott and Cesar were very knowledgeable, helpful and listened to our ideas of what we had to say. Any questions that we have now and in the future they are available to assist us to solve them. I recommend the Schomer Law Group and I wish we knew about them years ago.

Phillip G.
Client Review
July 29, 2020
    

When you’re presented with an invitation to attend in a mailer, you may have reservations, this was a truly gift!! My wife and I were educated and guided through the process of creating a family trust.
Both of our parents had attorney’s that “worked” with wills/trusts, but came up short. Fortunately, the Schomer Law Group was there! This is a group of attorney’s that only specialize in estate planning, law, and financial advice, so you know you’re getting expert and personalized advice. This is the best money we’ve ever spent!! Thank you!

Bob L.
Client Review
July 29, 2020
    

We knew we had to update our 10 year old ( 20 page ) trust. After several detailed meetings, Liran and Cesar produced a large ( 300 pages + ) highly detailed trust document that we have used to make sure our family estate is well managed and clearly understood.
They were all very helpful in answering myriad questions and explaining all the various options…

We would strongly recommend the Schomer Law Group to anyone with an estate of even modest means, to assure proper planning…

Bob S.
Client Review
July 29, 2020
    

We had contemplated updating our will and starting a trust for a number of years. After attending a talk by Scott Schomer we realized we were long overdue and the potential downside of not having our affairs in order was significant. Scott and his excellent team made the process simple and seamless. They were great listeners, addressed all our concerns and even pulled and processed all the paperwork from our financial institutions. If you are looking for assistance with estate planning, wills and trusts, we highly recommend Schomer Law Group.

Robert F.
Client Review
July 29, 2020
    

Very competent & informative – friendly atmosphere – ready to answer the most mundane questions – relaxed.

Joan S.
Client Review
July 29, 2020
    

Mr. Schomer was excellent in getting our family trust and estate affairs in order. My husband and I had put off doing this and Scott really made the process easy! He is very passionate in making sure his clients get all that they need and we really appreciated it. I would highly recommend him and look forward to the many years he will be available to assist our family.

Kim

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Office Address

El Segundo
2155 Campus Drive
Suite 250,
El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone: (310) 337-7696
Fax: 310-337-1277

See Larger Map Get Directions

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Footer

  • Advantages of Working With Our Firm
  • About The American Academy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Schomer Law Group

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

footer-logo
© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.

Schomer Law Group

Attorney Advertisement.

© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.