Your VA Compensation Could Be Worth More Than You Think
Slide to your rating. See the total.
estimated lifetime value of your VA disability compensation*
What is Portfolio Equivalent?
This is how much a civilian would need to save in a retirement portfolio to generate the same annual income using the 4% withdrawal rule. Your VA compensation provides this income without needing to save a dime, tax-exempt, and adjusted for inflation every year. In reality, the equivalent is even higher because a civilian's portfolio withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, while your VA compensation is not.
What If You Invested It?
Toggle "Invest every payment" to see what your VA compensation could grow to if you invested every dollar at a 7% real return (S&P 500 historical average after inflation, 1926–2025). COLA is always included because it happens automatically every year.
What could this mean for your timeline?
Your VA compensation is the foundation. The free VetFIRE calculator shows when you could become work-optional based on your numbers.
Important: Lifetime value is shown in future (nominal) dollars — the total payments you would actually receive. These figures are not adjusted for inflation and should not be compared directly to today's-dollar figures from other VetFIRE calculators.
*Portfolio equivalent uses the 4% safe withdrawal rate. Actual results will vary. VA compensation rates shown are 2026 rates for a single veteran with no dependents. COLA uses a 2.6% historical average and is not a prediction of future adjustments. Investment projections assume a 7% average real return after inflation (based on S&P 500 historical average, 1926–2025) with tax-advantaged growth (e.g., Roth IRA); returns in taxable accounts will be lower due to taxes on dividends and capital gains. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Actual returns will vary.
VA disability ratings may be subject to periodic re-evaluation and could be reduced. Lifetime value assumes your current rating remains unchanged. This calculator is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. VetFIRE LLC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Full disclaimer.
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