107-Year-Old Veterans: Benefits, Stories & VA Aid 2026
A 107-year-old veteran is a living link to World War II and, in rare cases, earlier service. At this age, veterans qualify for VA Pension (a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans 65 or older), with possible enhancements for Aid and Attendance (up to $29,093/year in 2026) or Housebound status. They also qualify for VA health care, geriatric care, and burial benefits. The oldest living U.S. veteran, James C. Flowers, is 110.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who this covers | Veterans age 107, including WWII-era service members |
| Key VA benefit | VA Pension (needs-based, for wartime veterans 65+) |
| 2026 base pension rate | $17,431/year for a single veteran |
| Aid and Attendance (A&A) | Up to $29,093/year for a veteran needing daily care |
| Housebound allowance | Added amount for veterans confined to home |
| Net worth limit (2026) | $163,699 |
| Health care | VA geriatric and extended care, home-based primary care |
| Application | VA Form 21P-527EZ (pension); VA Form 21-2680 (A&A/Housebound) |
| Official agency | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
| Updated For | October 26, 2026 |
Who Are the 107-Year-Old Veterans of 2026?
The 107-year-old veterans of 2026 are almost exclusively World War II service members, born around 1919. They enlisted or were drafted in the early 1940s, served in the Pacific or European theaters, and returned home to build careers and families. A small number may have seen service in the final months of World War I, but that generation is now virtually gone.
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Several 107-year-old veterans have been in the news in 2026. Their stories illustrate both the shrinking size of the WWII generation and the recognition these veterans receive in their final years.
Sam Mattox: The Oldest Living U.S. Veteran at 107
Sam Archie Mattox, a U.S. Army corporal from Ruston, Louisiana, turned 107 on September 27, 2026, and has been confirmed as the oldest living World War II veteran in the United States. Born September 27, 1919, Mattox entered the Army on December 12, 1942, and served in the 642nd Company, Army Field Organization, handling ammunition.
He served 26 months in the Pacific Theater, seeing action in Australia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and Japan, and witnessed the Japanese surrender. He was discharged on December 6, 1945, as a corporal. In October 2026, Mattox was invited to the White House for a black-tie gala honoring his legacy. He has also been honored by Grambling State University and local veterans organizations.
Arthur Rose: Pearl Harbor Survivor and Normandy Veteran
Arthur Rose, a 107-year-old World War II veteran living in Boston, survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and served at the Battle of Normandy. In April 2026, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey honored him at the State House with a flag presentation, and he received a police escort from his home.
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Rose was an engineer officer responsible for ensuring that landing craft tanks and their engines were operational for the Normandy landings. He credits his longevity to genetics—his father also lived past 100—and he maintains an active driver’s license despite not driving. Rose is scheduled to travel to France to receive the Legion of Honor, France’s highest order of merit.
Joseph “Bazooka Joe” Pietroforte and Clarence Zahringer
Other 107-year-old veterans recognized in 2025 and 2026 include Joseph “Bazooka Joe” Pietroforte, a WWII veteran in Studio City, California, who celebrated his 107th birthday in February 2026, and Clarence Zahringer, a WWII veteran and barber in Appleton, Wisconsin, who turned 107 in July 2025 and was honored at the John H. Bradley VA Clinic.
International 107-Year-Old Veterans
The 107-year-old veteran is not only an American phenomenon. In 2026, the United Kingdom and Ireland also recognized veterans of that age, including Colin Cole, a Dunkirk and D-Day RAF veteran who died in October 2026; Norman Irwin, Northern Ireland’s oldest man and a WWII veteran who died in September 2026; and Owen Filer, believed to be Wales’ oldest man, who turned 107 in October 2026 and credits fish and chips and hard work for his longevity.
VA Benefits for a 107-Year-Old Veteran
A 107-year-old veteran is eligible for the same VA benefits as any other veteran, but the most relevant programs at this age are VA Pension, Aid and Attendance, Housebound allowance, and VA health care. These benefits are designed for elderly veterans with limited income or significant care needs, and they are often underused.
VA Pension: The Core Needs-Based Benefit
VA Pension is a monthly cash benefit for wartime veterans who are 65 or older (or permanently and totally disabled) and have limited income and net worth. It is not military retirement pay, and it is not VA disability compensation. It is a needs-based income supplement.
To qualify, a veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a recognized wartime period—for a 107-year-old, that is almost certainly World War II (December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946)—and must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
**The 2026 pension rate for a single veteran is $17,431 per year** (about $1,453 per month). The net worth limit is $163,699 as of December 1, 2025. Veterans with dependents receive higher rates.
Aid and Attendance: For Veterans Who Need Daily Care
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an increased monthly pension amount for veterans who need help with activities of daily living—bathing, eating, dressing—or who are bedridden, in a nursing home, or have severely limited vision. For a 107-year-old veteran, A&A is often the most valuable benefit, because it can pay for in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home costs.
In 2026, a veteran receiving A&A can receive up to $29,093 per year—a substantial increase over the base pension. The veteran must first be eligible for basic pension and then meet one of the A&A criteria.
Housebound Allowance: For Veterans Confined to Home
Housebound is an increased monthly pension amount for veterans who are substantially confined to their home and immediate premises because of a permanent disability. It is an alternative to A&A for veterans who do not need daily hands-on care but cannot leave home. A veteran may qualify for Housebound if they have a single permanent disability rated 100% disabling and are permanently housebound, or if they are permanently housebound due to multiple disabilities.
VA Health Care and Geriatric Services
Veterans of any age can receive VA health care, and veterans 65 and older have access to geriatric and extended care services, including home-based primary care, adult day health care, respite care, and nursing home care. For a 107-year-old veteran, VA’s Home Based Primary Care program can bring medical providers into the home for check-ups and ongoing management. VA also provides hospice and palliative care in the home, hospital, or nursing facility.
Burial Benefits
A 107-year-old veteran is eligible for VA burial benefits, including a gravesite in a VA national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost to the family. Families should plan ahead and keep the veteran’s DD-214 available for burial benefit claims.
How to Apply for VA Pension and Aid and Attendance
The application for VA Pension is VA Form 21P-527EZ. Aid and Attendance or Housebound requires VA Form 21-2680, completed by a physician. Both can be filed by mail or online through VA.gov, and accredited representatives can assist at no cost.
Step-by-Step
Gather the veteran’s DD-214 and discharge paperwork showing wartime service and character of discharge.
Document income and net worth—bank statements, pension statements, Social Security award letters, and any other income sources.
Complete VA Form 21P-527EZ (Veterans Pension and/or Parents’ DIC).
For A&A or Housebound, complete VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance). A physician must document the veteran’s need for care.
File the claim through VA.gov, by mail to the Pension Management Center, or with an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the VFW, American Legion, or DAV.
Track the claim through VA.gov and respond promptly to any requests for evidence.
Common Mistakes Families Make with 107-Year-Old Veterans’ Benefits
The most common mistakes are assuming the veteran is “too old” to apply, failing to claim Aid and Attendance, and not documenting the need for care.
Mistake 1: Assuming age disqualifies the veteran
There is no upper age limit for VA Pension or disability compensation. A veteran who left service 80 years ago can still file an original claim for disability compensation if a service-connected condition can be documented. Age is not a barrier.
Mistake 2: Filing for pension but not Aid and Attendance
The base pension rate is $17,431 per year**, but A&A can raise it to **$29,093 per year. Families who need to pay for in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home costs should file for A&A at the same time as the pension claim, using VA Form 21-2680.
Mistake 3: Not documenting the need for care
A&A requires medical evidence that the veteran needs help with daily activities. A physician’s statement on VA Form 21-2680 is the key document. Without it, VA may deny the A&A enhancement even when the family is paying for care.
Mistake 4: Overlooking state veterans benefits
Many states offer additional benefits for elderly veterans, including property tax exemptions, state veterans home priority, and burial allowances. Families should contact their state veterans affairs office or a county veterans service officer.
Mistake 5: Missing the net worth calculation
VA Pension has a net worth limit of $163,699 in 2026. Certain assets and income are countable, while others are excluded. Families should review VA’s net worth rules or consult an accredited representative before filing to avoid an avoidable denial.
The Oldest Living U.S. Veteran: Context Beyond 107
The oldest living U.S. veteran in 2026 is James C. Flowers, a 110-year-old Tuskegee Airman from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Flowers was honored by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services with the New Mexico Medal of Merit in March 2026. He is a retired teacher and a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering Black military aviators of World War II.
Other exceptionally old veterans include Duane Brewton Jr., a WWII veteran who turned 109 in February 2026, and Freeman Johnson, a 106-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor. These veterans are among the last living links to the World War II generation, and their recognition reflects a broader national effort to honor their service before that generation passes.
Common Questions
What benefits does a 107-year-old veteran qualify for?
A 107-year-old veteran can qualify for VA Pension (needs-based, for wartime veterans 65+), Aid and Attendance (up to $29,093/year in 2026), Housebound allowance, VA health care including geriatric and home-based care, and burial benefits. Eligibility depends on wartime service, income, net worth, and care needs.
Is there an age limit for VA benefits?
No. There is no upper age limit for VA disability compensation, pension, or health care. A veteran can file an original claim decades after service. Age may affect the type of evidence available, but it does not disqualify a veteran from benefits.
How much does VA Pension pay in 2026 for a 107-year-old veteran?
The **2026 base pension rate for a single veteran is $17,431 per year** (about $1,453/month). With Aid and Attendance, the rate rises to up to $29,093 per year. Veterans with dependents receive higher amounts.
What is Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is an increased VA pension amount for veterans who need help with daily activities—bathing, eating, dressing—or who are bedridden, in a nursing home, or have severely limited vision. It is intended to help pay for care costs. A physician must document the need on VA Form 21-2680.
What is the Housebound benefit?
Housebound is an increased pension amount for veterans who are substantially confined to their home and immediate premises because of a permanent disability. It is an alternative to A&A for veterans who do not need hands-on daily care but cannot leave home.
Who is the oldest living U.S. veteran in 2026?
James C. Flowers, a 110-year-old Tuskegee Airman from Las Cruces, New Mexico, is the oldest living U.S. veteran. He was honored with the New Mexico Medal of Merit in March 2026.
Who is Sam Mattox?
Sam Archie Mattox is a 107-year-old World War II veteran from Ruston, Louisiana, confirmed as the oldest living WWII veteran in the United States in 2026. He served in the Pacific Theater and witnessed the Japanese surrender.
Who is Arthur Rose?
Arthur Rose is a 107-year-old World War II veteran living in Boston. He survived Pearl Harbor and served at Normandy as an engineer officer. In 2026, Massachusetts honored him at the State House, and he is scheduled to receive France’s Legion of Honor.
How do I apply for VA Pension for a 107-year-old veteran?
Use VA Form 21P-527EZ for pension and VA Form 21-2680 for Aid and Attendance or Housebound. File online at VA.gov, by mail, or with an accredited representative. Gather the DD-214, income and net worth documents, and medical evidence of care needs.
Can a 107-year-old veteran get VA health care?
Yes. VA health care is available to eligible veterans of any age. Veterans 65 and older have access to geriatric and extended care, including home-based primary care, adult day health care, respite care, and nursing home care. VA also provides hospice and palliative care.
What if the veteran never applied for VA benefits before?
It is never too late to apply. There is no statute of limitations on original VA disability claims. A veteran who left service in 1945 can still file a claim today if a service-connected condition can be documented. Families should contact an accredited VSO for help.
Key Takeaways
107-year-old veterans are almost exclusively World War II service members, and several have been recognized in 2026, including Sam Mattox (oldest living U.S. WWII veteran) and Arthur Rose (Pearl Harbor survivor).
VA Pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans 65 or older with limited income and net worth; the 2026 rate is $17,431/year for a single veteran.
Aid and Attendance can raise the pension to $29,093/year for veterans who need help with daily activities; Housebound is an alternative for veterans confined to home.
There is no upper age limit for VA benefits. A 107-year-old veteran can still file an original claim.
VA health care for older veterans includes geriatric care, home-based primary care, respite care, and nursing home care.
The net worth limit for VA Pension in 2026 is $163,699.
VA Form 21P-527EZ is the pension application; VA Form 21-2680 is required for Aid and Attendance or Housebound.
The oldest living U.S. veteran, James C. Flowers, is 110—a Tuskegee Airman honored in 2026.
Families should document care needs with a physician’s statement to support A&A claims.
Accredited VSOs can help families file pension, A&A, and health care applications at no cost.
Official Resources
VA Pension eligibility: va.gov/pension/eligibility
VA Pension rates (2026): va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates
Aid and Attendance / Housebound: benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp
VA services for veterans 65+: va.gov/files/2020-11/65-plus-veterans-quick-start-guide.pdf
VA Form 21P-527EZ (Pension): va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21p-527ez
VA Form 21-2680 (A&A/Housebound examination): va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-2680
VA health care: va.gov/health-care
VA burial benefits: va.gov/burials-memorials
USA.gov – Veterans benefits: usa.gov/veterans-benefits
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