Pay and benefits news
Changes to VA disability rates, BAH, military pay and benefits, with a link to the official source for every number.
100% VA disability pay 2026: $3,938.58 a month and up
100% VA disability pay in 2026 starts at $3,938.58 a month for a veteran alone. See what a spouse, children and parents add, plus P&T and TDIU.
2026 military pay chart: basic pay by rank after the 3.8% raise
The 2026 military pay chart after a 3.8% raise: monthly basic pay by grade and years of service, BAS rates, O-1E rules and the pay caps.
2027 VA disability COLA is 3.6%, but it still needs Congress
The 2027 COLA is 3.6%. Military retired pay rises automatically Dec. 1. The VA disability increase still needs Congress to pass this year's COLA bill.
High-3 vs BRS: how military retirement pay compares in 2026
High-3 pays 2.5% per year of service. BRS pays 2.0% plus up to 5% in TSP contributions. See who's under which plan and what 20 years pays.
How BAH works in 2026: rates, rate protection and taxes
BAH is set by your duty station ZIP, pay grade and dependents. Here's how DoD builds the rates, when they change, and why yours won't drop at the same base.
VA math explained: how VA combines your disability ratings
VA math doesn't add ratings. It applies each one to what's left, then rounds once. See the steps, the bilateral factor and worked examples with 2026 pay.