Is Your Retirement Plan Service-Ready? The 2026 VA Benefit Checkup You Need Now

If you’re a veteran, or you have a hero in your family, this one is for you.

We are officially moving through October 2026, and if you haven’t taken a hard look at your retirement strategy lately, you might be missing out on some significant updates. Between the new 2026 VA benefit adjustments and the shifting landscape of retirement accounts, staying “service-ready” in your financial life is just as important as it was during your time in uniform.

At Solomon Estate and Wealth Planning, Angelique Solomon and the team are passionate about making sure those who served our country aren’t left behind when it comes to their golden years. Today, we’re breaking down the “must-knows” for 2026, from the new COLA increase to why your old 401(k) might need a new home.

The 2026 COLA Increase: A 2.8% Boost

First, let’s talk about the good news. For 2026, the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) has been set at 2.8%.

Why does this matter? Well, inflation has been a bumpy ride over the last few years, and this adjustment is designed to help your VA disability compensation, pension benefits, and Social Security keep pace with the rising cost of groceries, gas, and housing. The VA is required by law to match the COLA percentage applied to Social Security benefits, and the new rates took effect December 1, 2025. One important clarification: VA disability compensation is based on your service-connected disability rating, not your income, so there is no income-based phase-out of disability compensation. It’s a welcome bump, but as Angelique often tells her clients, a small percentage increase in your check doesn’t always solve a larger “income gap” problem.

The Game Changer: VA Aid & Attendance

If you or a loved one are starting to need a little extra help around the house or are considering assisted living, you need to know about the VA Aid & Attendance benefit.

Here’s how it actually works: Aid & Attendance isn’t a flat check on top of a pension. It raises the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) the VA uses to calculate your pension. For the period from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026, a veteran with one dependent (a spouse or child) who qualifies for Aid & Attendance has a MAPR of $34,488 per year, or about $2,874 per month. The VA then pays the difference between your income for VA purposes and that MAPR, so your actual payment depends on your income and on deductible expenses like unreimbursed medical costs. Surviving spouses have their own rate table on va.gov. It’s intended for those who require the “aid and attendance” of another person to perform daily tasks like bathing, dressing, or navigating their environment.

Many veterans and their surviving spouses don’t even realize this benefit exists. It can be the difference between struggling to stay in your home and having the professional care you deserve. However, qualifying for this involves meeting specific clinical and financial requirements, which leads us to the next big update.

The New 2026 Net Worth Limits

To qualify for certain VA pension benefits, including Aid & Attendance, there is a “bright-line” limit on your net worth. For 2026, the VA has set the net worth limit at $163,699.

This number includes both your assets and your annual income. While your primary residence and your car generally don’t count toward this limit, almost everything else does. If your net worth is hovering near that $163k mark, it’s time to talk to a professional.

One more rule to know: the VA applies a 3-year look-back period to asset transfers. If you transferred assets for less than fair market value in the three years before filing a pension claim, and those assets would have pushed your net worth above the limit, you could face a penalty period of up to five years before pension benefits can begin.

Navigating these numbers can feel like a maze, but you don’t have to do it alone. Angelique Solomon specializes in helping veterans structure their assets so they stay compliant with these limits while still protecting their legacy.

Transitioning from the Workforce: The 401(k) Rollover

Many veterans transition from the military into a second career in the civilian sector. If you’ve recently left a job or are planning to retire soon, you likely have an old 401(k) or 403(b) sitting around.

The question is: Is that 401(k) actually working for you?

In 2026, market volatility is still a conversation at every dinner table. When you leave your employer, you have several options for that retirement account. You could leave it where it is, but you’re often stuck with limited investment choices and high fees.

Instead, many of our clients are looking at 401(k) rollover options to gain more control. By rolling that money into an IRA or an annuity, you can:

1. Consolidate your accounts: Stop tracking four different logins from four different past jobs.
2. Lower your fees: Direct rollovers often open up lower-cost investment avenues.
3. Potential principal protection: Some annuity contracts, under their contract terms, are designed to shield your principal from market losses. Any such protection depends on the terms of the specific contract and the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

Check out our guide on how to roll over your 401(k) and protect your savings for a step-by-step breakdown.

Building a “Lifetime Income Floor”

One of Angelique’s favorite strategies for our veteran clients is creating a “Lifetime Income Floor.”

Think of this as your financial foundation. It’s made up of guaranteed income sources that hit your bank account every month, no matter what the stock market does. For a veteran, this floor usually consists of:

• VA Disability or Pension
• Social Security
• A Military Pension (if applicable)

But often, those three aren’t quite enough to cover the lifestyle you want in retirement. This is where rolling over part of your 401(k) into an annuity can be a brilliant move. An annuity can act like a “personal pension,” and certain contracts can provide income payments for the rest of your life. Any such guarantees depend on the terms of the contract and the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

When you combine your VA benefits with a structured annuity, you create a steady income floor that can help cover essential expenses. If you’re curious about the specifics, Angelique has a great piece on why everyone is talking about rolling over a 401(k) to an annuity right now.

Don’t Forget Your Healthcare Strategy

As we move through 2026, VA healthcare copay rates have also been updated, and you can check the current rates any time on va.gov. If you are approaching 65, you also need to think about how the VA system interacts with Medicare.

Does the VA cover everything? Usually not. Many veterans find that a Medicare Supplement or Advantage plan provides the extra flexibility they need to see specialists outside the VA system without breaking the bank.

If you’re turning 65 this year, make sure you look at our Medicare enrollment checklist to ensure you aren’t missing any deadlines that could result in permanent penalties.

Why Work with Solomon Estate and Wealth Planning?

Retirement planning isn’t just about picking stocks; it’s about understanding the specific benefits you’ve earned through your service and making sure they play nice with your private savings.

Angelique Solomon isn’t just a business owner; she’s a dedicated advocate for her clients. Whether you are in Alabama, Texas, or Virginia, she understands the local and federal nuances that affect your wallet.

A Note on Compliance: Angelique Solomon is a licensed professional (L&H) dedicated to transparency. Neither Solomon Estate and Wealth Planning nor its advisors provide tax or legal advice.

• NPN: 20332097
• Licensed States: AL, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV

Your 2026 Action Plan

Don’t wait until the end of the year to see how these changes impact you. Here is your “Service-Ready” checklist:

1. Check your monthly statements: Ensure your 2.8% COLA increase has been applied correctly to your benefits.
2. Review your net worth: If you are over $163,699, let’s talk about strategies to protect your eligibility for future VA pension benefits.
3. Audit your old 401(k)s: If you have money sitting in a former employer’s plan, consider a rollover to an IRA or annuity to build that income floor.
4. Schedule a Benefits Review: Sit down with Angelique to see if you may qualify for the Aid & Attendance benefit, which raises the 2026 pension MAPR to $34,488 per year for a veteran with one dependent.

Ready to secure your future? Whether you need to calculate your retirement income or you just want a friendly voice to walk you through your 401(k) options, we are here to help.

Contact Angelique Solomon today for a personalized rollover and benefit review. Let’s make sure your retirement plan is as disciplined and reliable as you were during your service.

Call us at (334) 459-8264 or visit our booking page to get started.

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Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options. Solomon Estate and Wealth Planning is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

Sources: VA disability compensation rates, VA pension rates and net worth limit, SSA cost-of-living adjustment, VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits, VA health care copay rates

Solomon Estate and Wealth Planning

• Address: 1909 Montgomery Hwy, Dothan, AL 36303
• NPN: 20332097
• States: AL, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
• Designations: L&H
• Phone: (334) 459-8264
• Website: https://www.angeliquebenefits.com/