A National Guard unit saw the most combat during World War II
Think about the World War II shows and films that stuck with you, like “Band of Brothers,” “The Pacific,” or “Saving Private Ryan.
Massachusetts Veteran Benefits (2026)
What Massachusetts offers veterans on top of federal VA benefits — property tax relief, state income-tax treatment of retirement pay, and education programs. Compiled from official state sources.
Property tax exemption
Massachusetts offers local property-tax exemptions for veterans under M.G.L. Chapter 59 Clauses 22 through 22F, starting at $400 per year (Clause 22) for veterans with a service-connected disability of 10% or more or a Purple Heart. Veterans rated 100% disabled can receive a $1,000 exemption (Clause 22E), and paraplegic veterans or those with 100% service-connected blindness receive a full exemption (Clause 22F). Cities and towns may adopt higher amounts, and applications go through the local assessor each year.
Military retirement pay & state income tax
Massachusetts does not tax military retirement pay: noncontributory pension income or survivor benefits from the U.S. uniformed services are exempt from state income tax.
Education benefits
The Categorical Tuition Waiver waives full tuition (though not campus fees) for qualifying Massachusetts veterans at the state's public colleges and universities, and unlike the GI Bill the benefit does not expire as long as eligibility criteria are met.
Also worth knowing
Massachusetts pays an annuity to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and certain Gold Star parents and surviving spouses; under the 2024 HERO Act it increased from $2,000 to $2,500 per year.
Where to apply & verify
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services — the official state agency for these programs
- Verified veteran services in Massachusetts — directory of local organizations
- Massachusetts veteran resources & news
- VA disability pay dates 2026 · 2026 VA disability rates
Latest Massachusetts veteran news
The Marquis de Lafayette’s Paris gravesite is filled with dirt from Massachusetts
We Are The Mighty · Jul 7
‘I’ll always regret it if I don’t’: Army veteran trades filmmaking for music in his 40s
We Are The Mighty · May 29
Navy commissions its newest submarine, the USS Massachusetts
Task & Purpose · Mar 29
Fake veteran impersonated soldier to claim VA benefits, prosecutors say
Task & Purpose · Mar 7
Other states
KentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouri All 51 →
About this information: Compiled July 2026 from official state sources and verified references. Benefit rules change through legislation — always confirm details with Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services or a Veteran Service Officer before making decisions. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.