Life insurance and burial benefits for New Jersey veterans

Military life insurance is federal, so the options are the same in every state: convert SGLI to VGLI after separation, apply for VALife if you have a service-connected rating, or buy private coverage. Healthy veterans often compare VGLI against private term life, since VGLI rates rise every five years.

VA national cemeteries

• Beverly National Cemetery (closed to new burials) — Beverly
• Finn's Point National Cemetery (closed to new casket burials) — Pennsville

State veterans cemeteries

• Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery — Wrightstown

Burial in a VA national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, and a burial flag are available to eligible veterans at no cost; see VA burial benefits for current allowances. Source: VA National Cemetery Administration — Find a Cemetery: New Jersey

Honorably discharged veterans certified by the VA as 100% permanently and totally disabled from active-duty service, and qualifying surviving spouses or partners, may be fully exempt from property taxes on the home they own and live in; apply through the local tax assessor. Source: NJ Division of Taxation — 100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Honorably discharged veterans with active-duty service who own property in New Jersey, and qualifying surviving spouses or partners, may receive an annual $250 property tax deduction; file Form V.S.S. with the local assessor. Source: NJ Division of Taxation — $250 Veterans Property Tax Deduction

Veterans honorably discharged from active duty can claim a $6,000 exemption on their New Jersey income tax return. Source: NJ Division of Taxation — Income Tax Exemption for Veterans

For help applying, contact the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.