Happy Veterans Day from Alpha Financial Management

Happy Veterans Day to all my fellow veterans out there! Whether you’re a recent veteran or have been out of the military for decades — thank you for your service. Even if you’re not a veteran, this is still worth a read since odds are you know someone who is.

For my first blog, I wanted to highlight VA benefits — both well-known and lesser-known — that can have a big impact on your financial and personal well-being.

2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

The 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security is 2.8%, and this increase applies to VA disability payments as well.If you’re currently receiving VA disability, this adjustment will take effect with your January payment.

To calculate your new amount, multiply your current monthly payment by 1.028.

VA Healthcare & Community Care

Many veterans qualify for low-cost or free VA healthcare, which can serve as primary or secondary insurance depending on your needs.

While VA facilities can be slow at times, ask your provider about Community Care. This program allows eligible veterans to be seen by local contracted medical offices, significantly reducing wait times.

Priority within the VA system is given to veterans with certain conditions or disabilities, so always confirm your eligibility when scheduling appointments.

Disability Ratings & Compensation

The Veterans Administration pays monthly compensation for service-connected injuries or illnesses, based on a rating from 0–100%.

In addition to these payments, your VA disability rating may qualify you for other valuable state and federal benefits. Since Alpha Financial Management is based in Georgia, I’ve included several Georgia-specific programs at the end of this article.

If you or someone you know needs help locating their benefits, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to point veterans in the right direction.

Applying for or Increasing Disability Ratings

If you don’t currently receive VA disability but believe you should — or if your conditions have worsened — reach out to a Veteran Service Officer (VSO).

VSOs are trained to:

• Assist with initial claims or increases

• Guide you through the appeals process

• Explain your specific state benefits

If your local VSO isn’t helpful, there are reputable companies that assist veterans with VA claims. While I won’t endorse specific ones, I personally know many veterans who’ve had excellent results working with these organizations.

VA Home Loan Program

One of the best-known VA benefits is the VA Home Loan Program. This powerful benefit includes:

• No down payment required

• No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

• Competitive interest rates

• Reusable eligibility (under specific guidelines)

If you already have a VA loan, consider the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) — often called the “VA Streamline Refi.”

According to VA.gov, to qualify you must:

• Already have a VA-backed home loan

• Use the IRRRL to refinance that same loan

• Currently live in (or have lived in) the home being refinanced

Education & Career Transition Benefits

Another great set of benefits for veterans involves education and career training.

This includes the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill, which can fund college, vocational programs, or certification courses.

A lesser-known program is Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E), formerly known as Vocational Rehab & Employment.If your service-connected disabilities make it difficult to continue in your current career, VR&E can help you train for — and transition into — a new one, often covering full costs for approved programs.

How Alpha Financial Management Supports Veterans

At Alpha Financial Management, we’re proud to serve those who’ve served.We help veterans and their families with:

• Tax-efficient investment strategies

• Retirement and income planning

• Portfolio reviews and diversification

If you’d like a complimentary financial review, contact us today — we’d be honored to help you make the most of your benefits and long-term goals.

Georgia-Specific VA Benefits

Georgia offers a variety of additional benefits for veterans:

• Free “Veteran” license or ID designation (for eligible service members)

• Veteran and specialty license plates (including campaign and disabled veteran options)

• Homestead or Property Tax Exemption for veterans rated 100% disabled

  • Visit Georgia.gov for specific requirements

• Free hunting and fishing license for eligible veterans (one-time use)

• Discounted lifetime and multi-year licenses for veterans with permanent & total disabilities

• Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) provides help applying for both state and federal benefits — visit veterans.georgia.gov for more information.

About the Author

Gordon Russ is a proud U.S. veteran and a member of the Advisor Support Team at Alpha Financial Management. Drawing on both his military background and his experience assisting Alpha’s advisory team, Gordon is passionate about helping veterans understand and access the benefits they’ve earned.