Kenyon/Veterans/Federal benefits
Veterans

Federal rates, pension, insurance and burial

The 2026 compensation table, the pension limits, VALife, ID cards, and the two cemeteries that bury Kenyon veterans at no cost.

Disability compensation

Monthly, veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025; rates track the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.

RatingMonthly
10%$180.42
20%$356.66
30%$552.47
50%$1,132.90
70%$1,808.45
100%$3,938.58
100%, with spouse$4,158.17

A rating of 70 percent or more also unlocks the property tax exclusion; any compensation at all removes the VA loan funding fee.

Pension, insurance, ID

Veterans Pension
Needs-based: up to $17,441 a year for a veteran with no dependents, $21,313 housebound, $29,093 with aid and attendance; net-worth limit $163,699 through November 2026
VALife
Whole life up to $40,000 for any veteran with a service-connected rating, even zero percent, under 81; premiums fixed at application; two-year waiting period
ID cards
Veteran Health Identification Card with enrollment; Veteran ID Card with an honorable or general discharge; DoD ID for retirees and Guard; Minnesota driver's license veteran designation

Burial

Fort Snelling National Cemetery
7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis; 612-726-1127; scheduling 800-535-1117; 51 miles; casketed and cremated remains
Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Preston
715 Highway 52; 507-765-7320; 75 miles; no residency requirement; no cost for veterans, a fee for spouses and dependents; pre-register through the cemetery or the CVSO
Headstones and markers
No cost for any eligible veteran in any cemetery; VA Form 40-1330
Local
Kenyon Cemetery, where the Memorial Day program is held, and the Prairieville UMC Cemetery Association

Sources: va.gov, benefits.va.gov, cem.va.gov, department.va.gov, veteranscrisisline.net, Minnesota Statutes and Rules at revisor.mn.gov, revenue.state.mn.us, dps.mn.gov, mn.gov/mdva, Goodhue and Rice County veterans service pages, macvso.org, mac-v.org, davmn.org, threeriverscap.org, mnlegion.org, Minnesota Gambling Control Board, IRS and ProPublica filings, Kenyon Leader 2016–2025, KDHL, City of Kenyon council packets and minutes 2019–2026; road distances from the OSRM router. Compiled September 13, 2026. This site is independent of every agency and organization named; confirm amounts with the county service officer before relying on them.

Questions

What does disability compensation pay in 2026?

For a veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025: $180.42 at 10 percent, $552.47 at 30, $1,132.90 at 50, $1,808.45 at 70 and $3,938.58 at 100 percent a month; $4,158.17 at 100 percent with a spouse.

What is the Veterans Pension?

A needs-based payment for wartime veterans with limited income: up to $17,441 a year for a veteran with no dependents, $21,313 if housebound and $29,093 with aid and attendance, under a net-worth limit of $163,699 through November 2026.

Where can a Kenyon veteran be buried at no cost?

Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis (51 miles) and the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston (75 miles); Preston charges spouses and dependents a fee. Pre-register through the cemetery or the county office.

Will VA provide a headstone for a private cemetery?

Yes, a headstone, marker or medallion at no cost for any eligible veteran in any cemetery (VA Form 40-1330).

What is VALife?

Guaranteed-acceptance whole life insurance up to $40,000 for any veteran with a service-connected rating, even zero percent, for applicants under 81, with premiums fixed at the age of application and a two-year waiting period.

How do I get a veteran ID?

The Veteran Health Identification Card comes with VA health-care enrollment, the Veteran ID Card with an honorable or general discharge (apply online), and Minnesota adds a veteran designation to the driver's license, which doubles as proof for the free licenses.