War Pension rates 2026/27: disablement pension, gratuities and allowances
Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic · Rates from the Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2026 and the Veterans UK rate chart for 2026
This page lists the war disablement pension for every assessment next to last year's rate, the gratuities for assessments below 20%, the allowances paid with a war pension and the rates for war widows and widowers. The calculator works out a pension or gratuity from your assessment and adds the allowances that fit the rules in the Service Pensions Order.
War disablement pension rates 2026/27
A pension is paid for an assessment of 20% or more, and an assessment of 20% or more is always a multiple of 10. The 100% rate for other ranks rose from £239.00 to £248.10 a week in April 2026.
| Assessment | Other ranks, a week | 2025/26 | Officers, a year | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | £248.10 | £239.00 | £12,946 | £12,471 |
| 90% | £223.29 | £215.10 | £11,651 | £11,224 |
| 80% | £198.48 | £191.20 | £10,357 | £9,977 |
| 70% | £173.67 | £167.30 | £9,062 | £8,730 |
| 60% | £148.86 | £143.40 | £7,768 | £7,483 |
| 50% | £124.05 | £119.50 | £6,473 | £6,236 |
| 40% | £99.24 | £95.60 | £5,178 | £4,988 |
| 30% | £74.43 | £71.70 | £3,884 | £3,741 |
| 20% | £49.62 | £47.80 | £2,589 | £2,494 |
War Pension calculator 2026/27
Pension or gratuity, with allowances
Gratuities for assessments below 20%
An assessment below 20% is paid as a single tax free lump sum. The amount depends on the band of the assessment and is the same for every rank. If your condition is noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss and the assessment is below 20%, Veterans UK cannot pay a pension or a lump sum.
| Assessment | Gratuity |
|---|---|
| 1% to 5% | £3,945 |
| 6% to 14% | £8,770 |
| 15% to 19% | £15,339 |
Some minor injuries to the fingers and toes have fixed assessments and gratuities, set out in Table 1 of Part III of Schedule 1 to the Service Pensions Order.
| Loss of | Assessment | Gratuity |
|---|---|---|
| Index finger: more than 2 phalanges including the loss of whole finger | 14% | £11,798 |
| Index finger: more than 1 phalanx but not more than 2 phalanges | 11% | £9,439 |
| Index finger: 1 phalanx or part thereof | 9% | £7,864 |
| Index finger: guillotine amputation of tip without loss of bone | 5% | £4,705 |
| Middle finger: more than 2 phalanges including the loss of whole finger | 12% | £10,219 |
| Middle finger: more than 1 phalanx but not more than 2 phalanges | 9% | £7,864 |
| Middle finger: 1 phalanx or part thereof | 7% | £6,287 |
| Middle finger: guillotine amputation of tip without loss of bone | 4% | £3,928 |
| Ring or little finger: more than 2 phalanges including the loss of whole finger | 7% | £6,287 |
| Ring or little finger: more than 1 phalanx but not more than 2 phalanges | 6% | £5,513 |
| Ring or little finger: 1 phalanx or part thereof | 5% | £4,705 |
| Ring or little finger: guillotine amputation of tip without loss of bone | 2% | £2,356 |
| Great toe: through metatarso-phalangeal joint | 14% | £11,798 |
| Great toe: part, with some loss of bone | 3% | £3,137 |
| One other toe: through metatarso-phalangeal joint | 3% | £3,137 |
| One other toe: part, with some loss of bone | 1% | £1,580 |
| Two toes, excluding great toe: through metatarso-phalangeal joint | 5% | £4,705 |
| Two toes, excluding great toe: part, with some loss of bone | 2% | £2,356 |
| Three toes, excluding great toe: through metatarso-phalangeal joint | 6% | £5,513 |
| Three toes, excluding great toe: part, with some loss of bone | 3% | £3,137 |
| Four toes, excluding great toe: through metatarso-phalangeal joint | 9% | £7,864 |
| Four toes, excluding great toe: part, with some loss of bone | 3% | £3,137 |
Allowances paid on top of a war pension
These allowances are paid with a war pension, not with a gratuity. The conditions below are summaries of articles 8 to 16 and 20 of the Service Pensions Order; Veterans UK decides each award.
| Allowance and main condition | Other ranks, a week | Officers, a year |
|---|---|---|
| Constant attendance allowance, part day rate | £46.80 | £2,442 |
| Constant attendance allowance, full day rate | £93.60 | £4,884 |
| Constant attendance allowance, intermediate rate | £140.40 | £7,326 |
| Constant attendance allowance, exceptional rate | £187.20 | £9,768 |
| Exceptionally severe disablement allowance | £93.60 | £4,884 |
| Severe disablement occupational allowance | £46.80 | £2,442 |
| Unemployability allowance, personal | £153.25 | £7,997 |
| Unemployability allowance for an adult dependant (maximum) | £85.15 | £4,443 |
| Comforts allowance, higher rate | £40.30 | £2,103 |
| Comforts allowance, lower rate | £20.15 | £1,051 |
| Allowance for lowered standard of occupation (maximum) | £93.56 | £4,882 |
| Age allowance, 40% to 50% | £16.55 | £864 |
| Age allowance, over 50% to 70% | £25.55 | £1,333 |
| Age allowance, over 70% to 90% | £36.35 | £1,897 |
| Age allowance, over 90% | £51.10 | £2,666 |
| Mobility supplement | £89.25 | £4,657 |
| Clothing allowance | £320 a year | £320 |
The allowance for lowered standard of occupation cannot take your pension above the 100% rate. The Veterans UK chart shows the effect: at 90% the most it can add is £24.81 a week for other ranks (£1,295 a year for officers), at 80% £49.62 (£2,589) and at 70% £74.43 (£3,884). The calculator applies the same limit.
War Pension Scheme or AFCS: which one applies
The date of the service that caused the injury or illness decides the scheme. If you are no longer serving and your disablement was caused or made worse by service before 6 April 2005, you claim under the War Pension Scheme. Injury, illness or death caused by service on or after 6 April 2005 is covered by the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), which pays lump sums from a tariff: see our AFCS tariff table for the 2026 amounts.
| War Pension Scheme | Armed Forces Compensation Scheme | |
|---|---|---|
| Service covered | Before 6 April 2005 | On or after 6 April 2005 |
| Main award | A gratuity below 20%, a pension paid weekly or monthly from 20% | A tax free lump sum set by a tariff of 15 levels, plus a guaranteed income payment for injuries at levels 1 to 11 |
| How disablement is measured | A percentage, in multiples of 10 from 20% | A descriptor and tariff level |
| Time limit | None, but payment starts from the date of claim | Normally 7 years |
| Tax | Tax free | Tax free lump sum |
Mesothelioma lump sum for veterans
A veteran whose diffuse mesothelioma was caused by service before 6 April 2005 can choose a lump sum. From 6 April 2026 it is £185,000, up from £140,000. The diagnosis must be made by a consultant respiratory physician or consultant oncologist, and the war pension claim for the mesothelioma must be accepted before the veteran elects to take the lump sum. The lump sum is reduced by any war pension already paid for the mesothelioma, and once it is paid, the war pension awards for the disablement stop.
War widow's and widower's pension rates
A war widow's or widower's pension can be paid when a death was caused by service before 6 April 2005. The weekly rates below apply to the surviving spouse or civil partner of a rating, soldier or airman. The surviving spouses of officers are paid yearly rates that depend on rank. War Widow's Pension is on the GOV.UK list of state benefits you do not pay Income Tax on.
| Pension or allowance | A week |
|---|---|
| Standard rate | £188.15 |
| Childless surviving spouse or civil partner under 40 | £45.07 |
| Supplementary pension (service ended on or before 31 March 1973) | £125.87 |
| Elderly person's allowance, aged 65 to 69 | £21.50 |
| Elderly person's allowance, aged 70 to 79 | £41.20 |
| Elderly person's allowance, aged 80 or over | £61.25 |
| Standard rate with the allowance at 65, 70 and 80 | £209.65 / £229.35 / £249.40 |
How to claim a war pension
You can claim under the War Pension Scheme if you are no longer serving in the armed forces and your claimed disablement arose before 6 April 2005. There are no time limits for claiming, but an award is only paid from the date of your claim. You do not need a paid representative: free independent advice is available from the Veterans Welfare Service and other charitable organisations.
Tell Veterans UK if you get any other compensation for the same disablement, because your war pension or lump sum may be reduced. If you disagree with a decision, you can ask Veterans UK to review your claim and then appeal to an independent tribunal. There is no time limit for asking for a review.
Sources and methodology
Every rate was read from the 2026 amendment order and checked against the Veterans UK rate chart for 2026; the 2025/26 column was read from the 2025 amendment order and checked against the 2025 chart. The calculator was tested against the chart, including its worked table for the 100% limit on the allowance for lowered standard of occupation.
- The Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2026, S.I. 2026/101, on legislation.gov.uk.
- War disablement pension rates 2026, Ministry of Defence and Veterans UK, on GOV.UK.
- War Pension Scheme (WPS) guidance, Ministry of Defence and Veterans UK, on GOV.UK.
- The Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 2006, S.I. 2006/606, articles 6 to 16, 20, 21A and 42 and Schedule 1A, on legislation.gov.uk.
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) guidance, Veterans UK, on GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 100% war pension in 2026/27?
£248.10 a week for other ranks and £12,946 a year for officers, from the payday in the week starting 6 April 2026. In 2025/26 the rates were £239.00 a week and £12,471 a year.
What does a 20% war pension pay?
£49.62 a week for other ranks or £2,589 a year for officers. Below 20% you get a one-off gratuity instead: £3,945 for 1% to 5%, £8,770 for 6% to 14% and £15,339 for 15% to 19%.
Is a war pension taxable?
No. Veterans UK describes a war pension as an ongoing tax free payment and the gratuity for an assessment below 20% as a tax free lump sum. War Widow's Pension is also on the GOV.UK list of tax-free state benefits.
What is the difference between a war pension and the AFCS?
The War Pension Scheme covers injury, illness or death caused by service before 6 April 2005 and pays a pension from a 20% assessment. The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme covers service on or after 6 April 2005 and pays a tax free lump sum set by a tariff, plus a guaranteed income payment for injuries at tariff levels 1 to 11.
Is there a time limit to claim a war pension?
No. Veterans UK says there are no time limits for claiming a war pension, but any award is only paid from the date of your claim. There is also no time limit for asking for a review.