If you retired from the military, you carry two sets of benefits overseas: your DoD retiree benefits and your VA benefits. They come from different agencies, with different rules abroad.
Retired pay
- Your retired pay comes from DFAS, not VA. Manage it in myPay, and keep your address and bank details current.
- Retired pay is a lifetime government pension, which is why it often qualifies for retiree and pensionado visas in Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and the Philippines. Use your DFAS retiree account statement as proof.
- Ask DFAS whether your foreign bank account can receive payments. Many retirees keep a U.S. account and transfer.
Retired pay and VA compensation together
| CRDP | Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay: retirees with 20+ years of service and a VA rating of 50% or more can receive both retired pay and VA compensation, without the usual offset. |
|---|---|
| CRSC | Combat-Related Special Compensation: for combat-related disabilities. You apply through your branch. |
These are run by DFAS and the services, not the VA. Check which one fits you before you move.
TRICARE overseas
Retirees under 65 usually use TRICARE Select Overseas. At 65, TRICARE For Life pays first overseas, but you must keep Medicare Part B. See TRICARE and CHAMPVA overseas.
Retiree ID and base access abroad
Your retiree ID gets you onto many installations, but retirees don't have SOFA status, so what you can buy and use is set by the host-nation agreement and the local commander.
| Germany | Commissary and exchange with a German customs "Pink Card," non-rationed items only. Army MWR facilities opened to retirees in 2020. |
|---|---|
| South Korea | Commissary and exchange purchases are rationed with monthly caps. |
| Japan, Italy, Spain, UK | Rules vary by base. Ask the Pass and ID office. |
Many installations also have a Retiree Activities Office run by retiree volunteers. They're the best first stop for local rules.
Space-A travel
Retirees fly Space-A in Category VI, including to and between overseas locations. That's different from 100% P&T disabled veterans, who can fly only within the U.S. and its territories.
Survivor Benefit Plan
If you elected SBP, keep your beneficiary information current with DFAS, especially if you marry overseas. Ask DFAS what documents they need for a foreign marriage before you need them.
Taxes
Military retired pay is taxable by the U.S. How your new country treats it depends on the tax treaty. Get expat tax advice before you become a tax resident.
Join the retirees channel
The community has a dedicated Military Retirees channel for TRICARE, base access, CRDP and CRSC questions.
Questions about your situation?
Ask in the VA Benefits Abroad channel. Vets who've filed from your country answer fast.
Common questions
Can military retirees use the commissary overseas?
Often, but it depends on the host-nation agreement. In Germany you need a customs Pink Card; in Korea purchases are rationed.
Do military retirees have SOFA status overseas?
No. Retirees living abroad generally don't have SOFA status, which limits base privileges.
Can I get both retired pay and VA compensation?
With 20+ years and a 50%+ VA rating, CRDP generally lets you receive both. CRSC covers combat-related disabilities.
Last reviewed November 2026. Information only. Confirm with the official sources.