Alaska Veteran Benefits

There are no individual income taxes in Alaska. Distributions received from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are not taxed.

Real property owned and occupied as a primary residence by a Veteran who has a 50% or more service-connected disability rating from the VA is exempt from property taxes on the first $150,000 of assessed value.

The Alaska National Guard will pay up to 100% of tuition and required fees at an educational, vocational, or technical training school for eligible service members serving in the Alaska National Guard.

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development will award high school diplomas to World War II Veterans, including Alaska Territorial Guard members, who served in the U.S. Armed Forces between August 7, 1940, through July 25, 1947. Veterans with a GED may also apply.

888-252-2557

The Alaska Railroad offers a 20% discount to Veterans, retired service members, active duty service members and their dependents. Patrons must show an official ID showing proof of eligibility when boarding. For more information, please call 907-265-2494 or 800-544-0552. Alaska Railroad Webpage

The Alaska PFD is a monetary fund that pays dividends annually to legal Alaska residents. The amount of the 2025 dividend is $1,000 per person. The Permanent Fund Dividend application season is January 1st through March 31st each year. Applications are only available during application season.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers Alaska resident Veterans a once-in-a lifetime discount on the purchase of state land. The discount is 25% of the purchase price but does not apply to certain costs the DNR may have incurred to develop the land for sale.

Before the State offers unoccupied residential state land to the general public, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources holds a restricted sale at which only eligible Veterans may purchase the land at fair appraised market value. A Veteran may use this preference once in a lifetime, and purchased land generally may not be transferred for five years.

Nonresident active duty service members stationed in Alaska can purchase fishing and hunting license for discounted prices.

Alaska offers one free Alaska State Park Camping Pass to disabled Veterans. The 2023-2027 pass is valid in all developed Alaska State Park campgrounds.

The Alaska Veterans Memorial Museum in Anchorage focuses on honoring Veterans for the sacrifices they made to defend America's freedom. Their mission is to:

Former service members may be eligible to purchase up to five years of PERS credit for active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Military credit does not count towards retirement eligibility but is used to calculate the amount of monthly benefits after retirement.

Private employers in Alaska are authorized under state law to offer a hiring preference for service members, former service members, Veterans and eligible family members.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The Alaska Department of Labor offers priority of service and employment assistance to Veterans, and eligible spouses, who are looking for employment, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training programs.

State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for 16.5 days of paid military leave per year for training, field exercises or when under direct military control during a search and rescue mission.

Alaska State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces and are ordered to state or federal active duty must be restored to their former state position at the end of their active duty service.

The Alaska Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodation for required employment related travel.

Department of Defense (DoD) contracted Military Family Life Counselors who are applying for a license as a professional counselor, social worker, or other qualifying license type may receive expedited application processing.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

The Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will pay a death gratuity of $750 to the surviving spouse of Veterans who were buried on or after May 13, 1984, or died on or after September 19, 1990.

The Alaska Governor's Veterans Advocacy Award is awarded to Alaska residents who have engaged in unpaid, voluntary activities dedicated to Veterans, Veterans issues, or Veterans organizations. Nominees must have provided one of the following:

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains two national cemeteries in Alaska. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles offers a Veteran designation on Alaska driver licenses and ID cards for eligible Veterans. Who is eligible for the Veteran Designation on Alaska Driver licenses and ID Cards? Veterans who served in the U.S.

Immediate family members of a service member who was killed in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible the Alaska Gold Star Family license plates.

Alaska offers a CDL road skills testing waiver for service members and former service members based on their military training and experience.

The driver license of Alaska resident service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside Alaska and their spouse remain valid until 90 days after discharge, or until they return to Alaska, whichever occurs first.

Alaska resident service members and their spouses who are stationed outside of Alaska, may be able to renew their Alaska non-commercial driver license remotely. This applies to the standard (non-REAL ID) driver licenses. Dependent children are not eligible.

Alaska resident service members stationed outside Alaska can apply for a state motorcycle license online without returning to Alaska.

AMHS offers a reduced fare pass for Veterans who have a service-connected disability. This pass entitles the disabled Veteran and an attendant (if required by a physician) to travel at 50% off the regular passenger fare.

NGNMRS is aretirement system that pays eligible service members $100 per month for each month they were credited for satisfactory Alaska National Guard service.

A Veteran may record for free the original or a certified copy of their U.S. Armed Forces Report of Separation (DD214, DD215, NGB Form 22 or DA Form 1569) at any Alaska Department of Natural Resources State Recorder's office. Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Recorder's Office Directory

AHFC offers home financing at lower interest rates for service members and Veterans through the Veterans Mortgage Program. Loans are generally processed rapidly, require little to no down payment, and often include a lower interest rate.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Alaska enter Alaska in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.