The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) administers a number of benefits, including pensions and allowances, to veterans and their dependents under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986.
DVA Benefits
- Service Pensions
- There are three types of services pensions payable to veterans:
i. Age
ii. Invalidity
iii. To a veterans partner
- The pension is means tested and taxable (except for invalidity pensions under age pension age)
- Veterans qualify for the age service pension earlier than the Centrelink age pension.
- The invalidity pension is payable before age 60 where the veteran is blind or unable to work.
- Generally a veterans partner would not qualify until normal age pension age unless a veteran was receiving the TPI pension.(totally and permanently incapacitated.
- Disability pensions
- This pension is paid as compensation for an injury or disease that was caused by war or in the individual’s role in the defence forces. It is not means tested or taxed.
- Other benefits
- DVA pensioners are entitled to receive the pensioner concession card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and Seniors Card in the normal way. These provide various concessions, including pharmaceutical benefits. In addition, DVA also provide three repatriation health cards – the gold, white and orange cards. These provide further benefits.
- The gold card is issued to certain disabled veterans, service pensioners over age 70 and service pensioners subject to means testing. It provides free medical treatment for all conditions and increased pharmaceutical benefits.
- The white card provides subsidised medical benefits for specific conditions. It is issued to veterans with war related disability or who have cancer, tuberculosis or post traumatic stress disorder.
- The orange card provides increased pharmaceutical benefits to a much wider range of veterans.
It is recommended you seek advice from a financial advisor or you contact DVA for information relating to your personal circumstances.
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Posted in Retirement