Overall Best Places Military Retirement: Alaska
This one might raise some eyebrows: Alaska is the #3 overall best state for military retirees.
Alaska has some fantastic statewide benefits for retired military, veterans, and disabled veterans.
Alaska disabled veterans with a VA disability rating of 50% or higher can receive a property tax exemption of up to the first $150,000 of the assessed value of his/her primary residence.
The exemption transfers to a surviving spouse if the veteran is deceased due to a service connected disability.
In addition, Alaska is one of 9 states with no state income tax, therefore, veterans in Alaska do not pay any state income tax.
Military retirees pay, Survivor Benefit Plan payments, and VA disability pay are also tax free in Alaska.
Likewise, Alaska has one of the top veteran benefits programs in the nation , which offers incredible state benefits to retired military, veterans, and disabled veterans.
Alaska veterans, their spouses, and dependents may qualify for a host of educational benefits while attending school at any Alaska state school.
These benefits include resident tuition rates or tuition waivers.
Alaska does rank toward the bottom in federal VA expenditures, but thats largely due to its small veteran population.
In FY 2021, Alaska received $777.2 million directly benefiting military retirees, veterans, and disabled veterans .
TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $777.2 million
TOTAL EXPENDITURE BY VETERAN: $11,534.41
Alaska Military Retirees Quality Assessment Score: 80/100
The Dakotas Welcome Veterans
Low housing costs and strongly rated VA hospitals help South Dakota and North Dakota rank as the No. 1 and No. 2 best states for veterans. South Dakota has grown increasingly popular for veterans, seeing the largest increase in veteran population between 2018 and 2019 the latest available data. The second-lowest unemployment rate among veterans in South Dakota also gives it an edge over its northern sibling.
North Dakota might make a more affordable option, however, with housing costs running at just 20% of average veteran income, compared with 24% in South Dakota. However, unemployment is way more common among veterans in North Dakota at 8.4%.
Two other Midwestern states No. 6 Nebraska and No. 7 Iowa join the Dakotas to give the region four of the 10 best states for veterans. Nebraska features the lowest unemployment rate 2.7% for veterans among all states.
| 10 best states for veterans | |
| Rank | |
| 10 | Maine |
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Best State For Disabled Veterans: Texas
No surprise here: Texas is the #1 overall best state for disabled veterans.
The benefits offered to disabled veterans in Texas are simply unmatched by any other state.
For example, Texas is one of just two states with full property tax exemptions for 100% scheduler or TDIU disabled veterans .
Texas also offers generous property tax reductions for disabled veterans with a VA rating between 10% and 90%.
In addition, Texas is one of 9 states with no state income tax, so you get more bang for your buck.
Texas also exempts military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan payments, and VA disability compensation payments from any taxation.
The Hazelwood Act is one of the best veteran education benefits in the country it provides veterans, spouses, and dependent children with up to 150 hours of tuition free college at state schools.
Texas also offers disabled veterans with a 60% VA rating or higher a free drivers license and Disabled Veteran plates.
Finally, Texas disabled veterans with a 50% VA rating or higher get a free super combo hunting and fishing license each year.
Texas Disabled Veteran Benefits Quality Score: 95/100
How We Developed Our Best States For Disabled Veterans Quality Scores
VA Claims Insider used five key qualitative and quantitative measures to calculate the Best Overall States for Disabled Veterans, including Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemptions, Disabled Veteran Income Tax Waivers, Education Benefits for Disabled Veterans, Free Drivers Licenses for Disabled Veterans, and Free Hunting/Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans.
Property tax exemptions are the crème-de-la-crème state benefit for disabled veterans, so we assigned it a 50% weighting with a 100 point maximum score.
Income tax waivers are also critically important to disabled veterans, and thus, we assigned it a 30% weighting with a 100 point maximum score.
Education benefits for disabled veterans was assigned a 10% weighting while free drivers licenses and reduced rates for hunting and fishing licenses were assigned a 5% weighting each. All weighted averages were also based on a 100 point maximum score.
The final step was to sum the weighted average scores across each of the five metrics to get a total Disabled Veteran Benefits Quality Score.
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Best State To Retire For Military: Nevada
This pick even surprised us a bit: Nevada is the #4 overall best state for retired military.
Nevada has some fantastic benefits for military retirees, veterans, and disabled veterans.
Retired military and veterans in Nevada with a 100% VA disability rating can receive a property tax exemption up to $20,000 of the assessed value of his/her primary residence.
Disabled veterans with a VA rating between 60% to 70% are eligible for a $10,000 deduction, and disabled veterans with a disability rating of 80% to 90% percent are eligible for a $15,000 reduction.
In addition, Nevada is one of 9 states with no state income tax, and therefore, veterans in Nevada do not pay any state income tax.
Military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan payments, and VA disability pay are also tax-free in Nevada.
Similarly, Nevada has one of the top 10 veteran benefits programs in the country, which offers incredible state benefits to retired military, veterans, and disabled veterans.
Honorably discharged veterans and on active duty stationed in Nevada at the time of discharge are charged tuition as in-state residents.
In addition, honorably discharged veterans within the two years immediately preceding the date of matriculation may also receive in-state tuition rates at any Nevada state school.
The state of Nevada falls in the middle of federal VA expenditures, with over $2.81 billion directly benefiting military retirees, veterans, and disabled veterans.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $2.81 billion
Best States For Veterans This Year
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.
If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, to speak with a VA claim expert for free.
Today, Im going to break down the 5 Best States for Veterans using a weighted average statistical analysis.
VA Claims Insider compared metrics across five key financial measures that matter most to veterans.
If youre a U.S. military veteran, deciding where to live after leaving the military is a very important decision for you and your family.
So, you might be wondering: What are the top states for veterans?
Well, heres the deal: Some states are more veteran friendly than others, and thus, selecting where to put down roots could save you thousands of dollars per year!
Texas and Florida are far-and-away the two best states for veterans to live, each offering an expansive array of fantastic benefits for veterans and their dependents.
Lets jump into VA Claims Insiders list of the Top 5 Best States to Live In for Veterans!
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How To File A Disability Claim In Any State
If you are a Veteran with a disability, you can file a claim at your regional VA office to apply for monthly tax-free benefits. You can also apply online at the VAs eBenefits website. The regulations for VA disability benefits are the same in every state, so there is no specific place where you can live in the US where it is easier to qualify for benefits. In addition, disability compensation rates are the same throughout the country. However, as you now know, some states offer specific discounts and other benefits to disabled Veterans that can make it more advantageous to choose a specific state as your home.
Filing a disability claim at the VA works the same way, no matter which state you live in. You can file a claim by mail after filling out a form online or submit your claim in person at your local VA facility. Whichever method of submitting your claim is more convenient for you is the best way to get the process started.
How We Developed Our Top 5 States For Retired Military
VA Claims Insider used five key qualitative and quantitative measures to calculate the Best Overall States for Military Retirees, including Property Tax Exemptions, Income Tax Waivers, State Veterans Benefits Availability, Federal VA Expenditures and Improvements Per Veteran, and Veteran Population.
Property tax exemptions are the crème-de-la-crème state benefit military and veterans, so we assigned it a 30% weighting with a 100 point maximum score.
Income tax waivers are also critically important to military retirees, and thus, we assigned it a 30% weighting with a 100 point maximum score.
State veterans benefits availability was assigned a 20% weighting while federal VA expenditures and improvements per veteran and veteran population received 10% each.
All weighted averages were also based on a 100 point maximum score.
The final step was to sum the weighted average scores across each of the five metrics to get a total Military Retirees Quality Assessment Score.
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Credello: These Are The Best States For Veterans
NEW YORK, November 1, 2022 –Veterans have dedicated part of their lives toward serving America through military service. Some spend many years in the military and make it their career. When they’re no longer actively serving, former military members have a series of decisions to make that should allow them to live as comfortably as possible.
For example, some might look into debt consolidation for veterans if that’s what’s best for their finances. Others may want to find a part of the country where they can stretch their military pension as far as it can go.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the states that provide the best benefits for veterans. Any former military personnel would be well to consider these options.
1. Alaska
Because of the cold winters, Alaska is not a state where everyone will want to put down roots. However, there are some key veteran benefits it offers that are hard to beat.
For instance, vets with a 50% disability rating or higher qualify for a property tax exemption. Up to the first $150,000 of their primary residence’s assessed value is exempt from property taxes. That exemption gets transferred to a surviving spouse if the veteran dies due to a service-related condition.
Alaska veterans and their spouses can qualify for many educational benefits if they attend a state school. The state is also one of nine with no income tax. That should appeal to any vet who gets into another profession after they’ve concluded their service.
2. Florida
Overall Veteran Friendly States: Alaska
This one might raise some eyebrows: Alaska is the #3 overall best state for veterans.
Alaska has some fantastic statewide benefits for veterans, which well explore in this section.
Alaska veterans with a VA disability rating of 50% or higher can receive a property tax exemption of up to the first $150,000 of the assessed value of his/her primary residence.
The exemption transfers to a surviving spouse if the veteran is deceased due to a service connected disability.
In addition, Alaska is one of 9 states with no state income tax, and therefore, veterans in Alaska do not pay any state income tax.
Military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan payments, and VA disability pay are also tax free in Alaska.
Alaska veterans, their spouses, and dependents may qualify for a host of educational benefits while attending school at any Alaska state school.
These benefits include resident tuition rates or tuition waivers.
Finally, Alaska veterans with a 50% VA disability rating or higher can get a complimentary hunting and fishing license card each year.
Alaska Veteran Benefits Quality Score: 82/100
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Best States For Veterans To Retire
After retiring, many veterans are left with the question of where to live next without the need to adhere to station change. When choosing, veterans should consider benefits available in state, healthcare options, tax exemptions and many other factors when looking for their next home.
Here is a list of the 5 best states for veterans to retire, according to WalletHub.
1. Virginia
WalletHub ranked Virginia the number one ranked state for military retirees. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services offers many advantages for retired veterans through 26 benefit service offices. The services are provided free of charge and help connect veterans with information on current federal, state and local programs throughout Virginia.
When it comes to looking for a post-service career, veterans can join the Virginia Transition Assistance Program. VTAP helps transitioning service members and their spouses seeking employment, education and entrepreneurship opportunities. In addition, veterans eyeing state employment can receive a five percent addition to their test scores, and disabled veterans can receive a 10 percent addition.
2. South Carolina
Additionally, disabled veterans are eligible to receive a free hunting and fishing license. Any South Carolina resident who is 100% disabled may enter any state park at a reduced rate.
3. Florida
4. South Dakota
5. Alaska
Abi Pepin is a summer intern for the Military Times covering evergreen stories and working on social media platforms.
Best State Disabled Veterans: Florida
Again, no surprise here: Florida is the #2 overall best state for disabled veterans to retire in 2023.
Florida offers disabled veterans a ton of fantastic benefits.
Also, Florida is one of 9 states with no state income tax, so your earnings go a long way.
Florida also exempts military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan payments, and VA disability compensation payments from state taxes.
Floridas Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program is one of the best education benefit programs for disabled veterans in the United States.
For example, Florida waives out-of-state tuition fees for all honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state and who are enrolled in Florida public, post-secondary institutions.
Florida also provides scholarship opportunities for dependent children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are rated at 100% P& T by the VA.
Florida also honors disabled veterans with a 100% VA rating with a free drivers license and one free set of Disabled Veteran DV plates.
Finally, Florida disabled veterans with a 100% Permanent and Total VA rating are entitled to a free 5-year all-purpose hunting and fishing license.
Florida Disabled Veteran Benefits Quality Score: 92.5/100
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How We Developed Our List Of The Best States For Veterans
VA Claims Insider used five key qualitative and quantitative measures to calculate the Best Overall States for Veterans, including Veteran Property Tax Exemptions, Veteran Income Tax Waivers, Education Benefits for Veterans, Free Drivers Licenses for Veterans, and Free Hunting/Fishing Licenses for Veterans.
Property tax exemptions are the crème-de-la-crème state benefit for veterans, so we assigned it a 50% weighting with a 100 point maximum score.
Income tax waivers are also critically important to veterans, and thus, we assigned it a 30% weighting with a 100 point maximum score.
Education benefits for veterans was assigned a 10% weighting while free drivers licenses and reduced rates for hunting and fishing licenses were assigned a 5% weighting each. All weighted averages were also based on a 100 point maximum score.
The final step was to sum the weighted average scores across each of the five metrics to get a total Veteran Benefits Quality Score.
After You File Your Claim
After you file your disability claim, your local VA facility will call you in for a Compensation & Pension exam. Depending on your disability, the C& P exam can involve various tests and evaluations that will help the VA determine the severity of your disability. The C& P exam can also play a role in the VA establishing the connection between your disability and your military service.
Without service connection, the VA will more than likely deny your disability claim. If your claim gets denied and you believe the VA has made a wrongful decision, you can make an appeal with the help of an attorney.
Its best to never go through the VA appeals process on your own. With a dedicated, skilled attorney at your side, appealing a VA decision can be much easier, and your odds of getting a better outcome are much higher. An attorney can help you compile evidence to present to the VA, and they will know what the VA is looking for that can influence their decision.
No matter which state you live in, the VA can grant you significant disability benefits if you live with a service-connected condition. However, certain states offer additional benefits that can make a major difference in any Veterans everyday life, especially a Veteran with a disability. If you are looking for a state to relocate to, the three covered in this post are excellent choices.
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