How Much Is VA Aid and Attendance In 2013?

One of the first questions people have once they discover that eligible wartime veterans or their surviving spouses can receive a tax-free monthly pension from the VA is "How much does the VA Aid and Attendance pension pay?"

For 2013, the Maximum Allowable Pension Rates (MAPR) for Basic Pension, Housebound, and Aid and Attendance ratings have increased by 1.7% from the 2012 levels.

As indicated below, the maximum monthly pension payable to a married veteran in need of Aid and Attendance is now $2,054 per month.  The maximum monthly payment to a surviving spouse is $1,113.  See the table below:

	Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR)	Approx. Monthly Benefit
Veteran (Basic Pension with no dependent)	$12,465	$1,038
Veteran (Basic Pension with one dependent)	$16,324	$1,360
Veteran (Housebound with no dependent)	$15,233	$1,268
Veteran (Housebound with one dependent)	$19,093	$1,591
Veteran (Aid and Attendance with no dependent)	$20,795	$1,732
Veteran (Aid and Attendance with one dependent)	$24,652	$2,054
Each additional child	$2,093	$174
Surviving Spouse (Basic Pension with no dependent)	$8,359	$696
Surviving Spouse (Housebound with no dependent)	$10,217	$851
Surviving Spouse (Aid and Attendance with no dependent)	$13,362	$1,113
Surviving child	$2,129	$177
Veteran Married to Veteran (Both Aid and Attendance)	$32,100	$2,675

Taps Elder Law provides Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance planning to families in the central Ohio area.  If you or a loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse and is paying for in-home, assisted living or nursing home care, call us at (614) 443-8000 today to inquire about eligibility for VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Visit our website for more information on VA Aid and Attendance Pension Planning.

Facebook User's Death Can Cause Estate Planning Problems

What happens to a Facebook account when the user dies? I previously wrote about how protecting your "virtual assets" is an important piece of estate planning, and this issue is proving to be important as Facebook is bearing the brunt of some complaints from unhappy or frustrated family members of deceased users.

Steve Eder of the Wall Street Journal writes in "Deaths Pose Test for Facebook":

As people's online personas become an increasingly important part of their lives, families and friends are encountering confusion and frustration in trying to manage the Facebook, Twitter and email accounts of their deceased loved ones.

What Are The 2012 VA Aid and Attendance Pension Payment Rates?

For 2012, there are brand new VA Aid and Attendance Pension rates. These updated payment figures reflect an increase in Basic pension, Housebound, and Aid and Attendance rates and are in effect as of December 1, 2012, which means the larger checks were first issued on January 1, 2012.

Does A Revocable Living Trust Protect My Assets From Nursing Homes?

One of the most repeated questions I hear in client meetings or at presentations is "Will a revocable living trust protect my assets from the nursing home?"

In the Medicaid Planning world, misinformation seems to swirl around the public.  It seems that many of the families I speak with were specifically told at a seminar that their revocable living trust would protect their life savings from the costs of long term care, and that they would not have spent the money on such a trust otherwise.

How To Discuss Money With Mom & Dad

Do your mom & dad have enough money to last through retirement? Many children are worried that due to market losses over the past few years, their parents may not have enough to live comfortably through their "golden years".  Does this mean that son's & daughters will need to pitch in to keep them afloat? How do you have the "money talk" with mom & dad?