Can I transfer my GI Bill benefits after I retire?
You can add and remove dependents to your GI Bill benefits transfer while you are still serving in the military. However, you can no longer add dependents to your transfer once you have retired. You can only remove benefits or change the allocation between them. Keep this in mind before you separate or retire from the military.
How long does it take to receive GI Bill benefits?
How long does it take for GI Bill transfer? Start the process by filling out VA Form 22-1990E (Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits) or by using the much easier online form. Within about 30 days, you'll either receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail.
How do I transfer my GI Bill?
If you're eligible, you may transfer benefits to the following individuals:
- Your spouse
- One or more of your children
- Any combination of spouse and child
Do I need to pay taxes after retirement?
You will likely pay sales taxes on many items you purchase in retirement. Retirement will not get you out of paying sales taxes. While the amount you will pay depends on your shopping habits and state of residence, it is something that can’t be ignored. Similarly, homeowners will still be subject to property taxes.
Can military retirees transfer GI Bill to dependents?
A: As an eligible Service member, you can transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to your spouse, your children, or any combination of eligible family members.
Can veterans transfer GI Bill?
Can I transfer my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits? You may be able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits if you're on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and you meet all of these requirements. All of these must be true: You've completed at least 6 years of service on the date your request is approved, and.
How long does the GI Bill last after retirement?
Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. What kind of training can I take?
Can I transfer my VA education benefits?
WHAT IS TRANSFERABILITY? The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows Service members to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members. This applies to officer or enlisted, active duty and Selected Reserve. Qualifying immediate family members are spouses and children.
How do I transfer GI Bill benefits?
Have your family members apply to use their transferred benefits by submitting VA Form 22-1990E to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They can complete the form online, or to complete it on paper, download the PDF. Or they can call the VA for education benefits information at 1-888-GIBILL1.
How do I transfer my GI Bill benefits back to myself?
The way the Post 9/11 GI Bill rules read, you can only transfer benefits while you are “currently serving”. So that means you would have to have those “future children” and make a transfer request to them while you are still in. Once retired, it is too late to make an initial transfer of benefits to them.
Who is eligible for forever GI Bill?
Servicemembers and honorably discharged Veterans who were awarded a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001 will be entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at the 100-percent benefit level for up to 36 months. This was effective on August 1, 2018.
Is the forever GI bill retroactive?
At its core, the legislation lifts the 15-year expiration on using the GI Bill for tuition assistance, thus making it a lifetime benefit for all active military members and retroactive for veterans who retired after Jan. 1, 2013.
Can I switch to Post 911 GI Bill?
Short answer: You cannot switch from the Montgomery GI Bill to Post-9/11 GI Bill, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. You must pick which benefit you want to use, and it's a decision you can't undo. This means you can't change your mind after the fact.
How many times can I transfer my GI Bill?
How Much of the GI Bill Benefits Can I Transfer? The military member can transfer up to 36 months of GI Bill benefits and can allocate them among eligible recipients at any time (but only once per month). The service member may also cancel a family member's use of the benefits at any time.
When can I transfer my GI Bill to my wife?
Transferring Benefits Transferring Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse is permitted when the service member has six years of service and requires that the service member serve another four years. In practice, this means that their current enlistment must take them to at least four years from the date of transfer.
Can I transfer my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits?
You may be able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits if you’re on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and you meet all of these requireme...
Who’s covered?
Qualified dependents
What benefits can my qualified dependents get?
If the DoD approves the Transfer of Entitlement (TOE), your spouse or dependent children can apply for up to 36 months of benefits, and may be able...
When can they use the transferred benefits?
These conditions apply to family members using transferred benefits: Spouses May use the benefit right away May use the benefit while you’re on act...
How do I transfer the benefit?
While you’re still on active duty, you’ll request to transfer, change, or revoke a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) through milConnect. You can’t appl...
Get more information
Go to the milConnect website To find out if you qualify, the status of your transfer request, and how to use the Transfer of Education Benefits (TE...
How long do you have to be on active duty to get a military benefit?
May start to use the benefit only after you’ve finished at least 10 years of service. May use the benefit while you’re on active duty or after you’ve separated from service. May not use the benefit until they’ve gotten a high school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or have reached 18 years of age.
Can you get housing allowance if you are on active duty?
Don’t have to use the benefit within 15 years after your separation from active duty, but can’ t use the benefit after they’ve turned 26 years old. Your dependents may still qualify even if a child marries or you and your spouse divorce.
How long can you transfer GI Bill benefits?
The military member can transfer up to 36 months of GI Bill benefits and can allocate them among eligible recipients at any time (but only once per month). The service member may also cancel a family member’s use of the benefits at any time.
When do you have to transfer your GI bill?
New military rules, passed in 2018, require eligible members to transfer their GI Bill no later than the end of their 16th year of service.
Why was the GI Bill removed?
This eligibility option has been removed because the GI Bill transfer benefit is a retention tool and all currently serving members will have had the option to transfer their benefits leading up to their retirement eligibility. This provision is no longer necessary.
How long can you serve on the GI Bill?
The first version of the law allowed members to transfer their GI Bill if they. “Have at least 10 years service and cannot serve 4 more years because of policy or law, but you agree to serve as long as you are able by law or policy.”.
What is the purpose of the GI Bill transfer program?
The Purpose of the GI Bill Transfer Program. The goal of the GI Bill transfer program is to keep mid-career military members in uniform, which is why there are minimum service requirements and why the GI Bill transfer program requires military members to incur more service time.
Can I transfer my GI bill to my spouse?
There is good news for those of you out there who are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill — you may be eligible to transfer your GI Bill to a spouse or child if you meet the minimum service requirements and agree to extend your military service obligation. There are certain limitations, and new rules passed in July, 2018 (effective starting Jan 12, ...
Can you keep your military benefits if you are separated?
Policy allows the member to keep their benefits if they are separated due to a medical retirement, disability, or Force Shaping. However, there may be some instances in which the member may no longer be eligible to transfer the benefits if they are not able to complete 4 years of service.
How long do you have to be a military spouse to receive a transfer?
The service member has to have completed at least 10 years of service first.
Does the VA send a COE letter?
The VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or award letter in the mail explaining all benefits. If you live OCONUS, this may take too long to receive. While the VA indicates the COE letter must be presented to the school before enrolling, most schools have the ability to determine your status without it.
Can dependents get financial assistance?
Eligible dependents can potentially seek financial assistance for the typical Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate Degree programs. However, benefits can also be used for non-college degree programs, like vocational or technical training for jobs in computer networking or dental hygiene.
Can a spouse receive housing benefits while on active duty?
If a spouse is utilizing transferred benefits, and the service member is still active duty, he/she is NOT eligible to receive housing allowance. However, children utilizing transferred benefits while their parent is still active duty CAN receive the allowance. Benefits don’t have to be used for only one type of program.
Can a service member return unused benefits to themselves?
The service member can return unused benefits back to themselves. For example, a spouse enrolls in an 11-month Master’s program. Afterwards, the service member may transfer the unused 25 months back to him/herself or transfer to another eligible dependent.
Can dependents check their VA benefits online?
Unfortunately, the website does not allow dependents access to check their status online.
Type of Assistance
- Eligible Servicemembers may transfer all 36 months or the portion of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (unless DoD or the Department of Homeland Security has limited the number of transferable months). If you're eligible, you may transfer benefits to the following individuals: 1. Your spouse 2. One or more of your children 3. Any combination of spo...
Available Benefits and Eligibility
- Family members must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer to receive transferred benefits. The option to transfer is open to any member of the armed forces active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and meets the criteria established by the Depart…
Other Factors to Consider
- Marriage and Divorce 1. A child's subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive the educational benefit; however, after an individual has designated a child as a transferee under this section, the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time. 2. A subsequent divorce will not affect the transferees eligibility to receive educational benefits; how…
More Information
- View the official DoD website for information on transferability(non-VA link)
- Get the fact sheet on transferability of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
- For specific questions about your eligibility, the status of your transfer request, and service specific questions about the TEB Portlet, please contact the appropriate career counselor or personne...