How Much Money Medal Of Honor Recipients Receive Every Month

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States, ranking higher than Crosses and Silver Stars. It is given for extraordinary acts of valor across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and presented by the President of the United States. It's very rare, with roughly 3,500 recipients since 1861, and only about 60 of them alive today, as of January 2026, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. While the award comes with the prestige of being recognized by the entire country, there is also, since 1916, a special monthly pension for recipients. 

In 1916, Congress decided that all surviving recipients of the Army and Navy Medal of Honor roll would get $10 (about $312, when adjusted for 2025 inflation) every month for the rest of their lives. However, this rate has steadily increased over the years: $100 in 1961, $1,000 in 2002, and reaching a base rate of $1,489.73 in 2025. With that said, the rate itself did not technically changed from $1,000, but the Veterans Benefit Act of 2002 allowed the amount to be adjust yearly for inflation — tied to the same Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) percentage for Social Security.

With that said, new legislation was passed in December 2025 to increase this rate to $5,625 per month. Notably, the enacted bill uses a formula that ties certain elements of the pension's amount to VA disability (SMC) rates, and still ensures COLA adjustments to compensate for inflation. This means the new base pay in 2026 starts at $5,780 per month, or $69,360 annually.

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and supporting laws, all income and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs aren't taxable. This means that Medal of Honor recipients can enjoy their pension without remitting any back to the government. Also, this pension does not replace or impact disability compensation, military retirement pay, or Social Security — although where you live might impact if your Social Security benefits are taxed. Another thing to keep in mind is that those who receive double Medals of Honor do not receive a double pension. The law specifically gives this pension to the person entered into the Medal of Honor Roll, and a name can only be entered once.

There are also other special benefits that come with the award, such as priority medical and dental care for themselves and any immediate dependents, priority status for "space-available" travel on DoD aircraft flights, interment at Arlington National Cemetery, and special military academy admissions for their children. Some states even give recipients special plate numbers, and many businesses offer Medal of Honor benefits and discounts — which are likely redeemable at some of the best places to use your military discount.