Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) lets a military retiree with a VA rating of 50 percent or higher be paid retired pay and VA disability compensation together. It restores the retired pay normally waived for VA pay, needs no application, is taxable like retired pay, and excludes Chapter 61 retirees with under 20 years.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Rules checked against 10 U.S.C. 1414 and DFAS October 26, 2026 · Methodology & sources
The general rule, and what CRDP changes
Normally VA disability compensation reduces military retired pay. DFAS: "The law requires that a military retiree waive a portion of their gross DoD retired pay, dollar for dollar, by the amount of their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation pay; this is known as the VA waiver (or VA offset)." CRDP is the exception. The statute says a qualified retiree "is entitled to be paid both for that month without regard to sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38."
Want your own numbers? The CRSC vs CRDP calculator shows the VA waiver, the CRDP amount and the CRSC amount side by side. To estimate the retired pay that goes into it, use the military retirement pay calculator.
Who qualifies for CRDP
- Entitled to retired pay. The statute covers a member or former member of the uniformed services "is entitled for any month to retired pay and who is also entitled for that month to veterans’ disability compensation for a qualifying service-connected disability" DFAS's comparison page lists "Are retired with 20 years Active or Reserve Duty" as the eligibility line.
- Also entitled to VA compensation for a service-connected disability, or a combination of them, rated 50 percent or more (see the next section).
- Not a Chapter 61 retiree with under 20 years of service. Those retirees are excluded (below).
- You did not waive retired pay for civil service credit. Relevant for federal employees: DoD's Financial Management Regulation (volume 7B, chapter 64, 2.5) says "A member who waives retired pay in order to credit military service for the purpose of establishing eligibility for a civil service retirement, or for any reason other than to receive VA disability compensation, is not eligible to receive both military retired pay and DVA Disability Compensation concurrently." It also says "A member who combines his military time with his civil service time for the sole purpose of enhancing his civil service retirement may be eligible to receive both military retired pay and DVA Disability Compensation concurrently."
- Reserve and Guard: Reservists and national guardsmen must be eligible to retire based on service, normally 60 years old.
No application is needed in most cases: DFAS is able to pay concurrent retired pay or concurrent military disability retired pay without the need for the member to submit a written claim.
The 50 percent rule
Section 1414(a)(2): "the term “qualifying service-connected disability” means a service-connected disability or combination of service-connected disabilities that is rated as not less than 50 percent disabling by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs." The rating is VA's combined rating, so it can come from several conditions. Use the VA disability calculator to combine them; the pay for each rating is on the 2026 VA disability pay chart.
At a lower rating CRDP does not apply, so VA pay still comes out of retired pay dollar for dollar. If part of your disability is combat-related, CRSC has a lower minimum (10 percent, per DFAS) and may help. See the CRSC calculator and pay chart. For what else a rating level unlocks, see VA benefits by rating.
CRDP pay: the restored VA offset
CRDP is not a separate benefit amount. DFAS: "CRDP is not a new payment, but rather an increase in your retired pay. CRDP decreases your VA waiver so that you receive more of your gross retired pay." The amount that is waived is what the statute calls the current baseline offset: "The term “current baseline offset” for any qualified retiree means the amount for any month that is the lesser of— (i) the amount of the applicable monthly retired pay of the qualified retiree for that month; and (ii) the amount of monthly veterans’ disability compensation to which the qualified retiree is entitled for that month." With full concurrent receipt, a regular retiree is paid that amount back: members who meet the eligibility requirements above may receive military retired pay, in full, concurrently with VA Disability Compensation.
DFAS's own example: "This member may receive military retired pay ($800) in full concurrently with the member’s VA Disability Compensation ($1200)." In that example VA compensation is larger than gross retired pay, so the waiver is the whole retired pay and CRDP restores all of it.
CRDP pay chart 2026: the most CRDP can restore
| Total VA rating | Veteran alone | With spouse | With 1 child, no spouse | With spouse and 1 child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $1,205.90 | $1,322.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $1,523.02 | $1,663.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $1,910.45 | $2,074.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $2,219.15 | $2,406.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $2,494.30 | $2,704.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $4,085.43 | $4,318.99 |
Your CRDP is the smaller of your actual VA compensation and your gross retired pay (Chapter 61: further limited by 10 U.S.C. 1414(b)(1)). The table shows common cases only: VA pays more with more dependents, aid and attendance or special monthly compensation (SMC).
Chapter 61, TERA and reserve cases
Chapter 61 (disability retirement)
- Under 20 years: not eligible. Section 1414(b)(2): "Subsection (a) does not apply to a member retired under chapter 61 of this title with less than 20 years of service otherwise creditable under section 1405 of this title, or with less than 20 years of service computed under section 12732 of this title, at the time of the member’s retirement." DFAS says these retirees are subject to the general dollar-for-dollar waiver.
- 20 years or more: eligible, with a limit. Section 1414(b)(1): retired pay "is subject to reduction under sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38, but only to the extent that the amount of the member’s retired pay under chapter 61 of this title exceeds the amount of retired pay to which the member would have been entitled under any other provision of law based upon the member’s service in the uniformed services if the member had not been retired under chapter 61 of this title." DFAS: A military disability retiree with more than 20 years of creditable service for retirement must still waive retired pay in order to receive VA Disability Compensation.
- Reserve or Guard member retired under Chapter 61 before eligibility age: DFAS says "concurrent retired pay may not be paid until the member reaches the eligibility age that (s)he otherwise would have been required to reach in order to start receiving military retired pay."
The same group is addressed in VA benefits by rating, which states the same limit. CRSC works differently for them; see the CRSC calculator.
TERA (Temporary Early Retirement Authority)
The CRDP statute has no separate rule for TERA retirees; section 1414(a) applies to a retiree entitled to retired pay, except the Chapter 61 cases above. DFAS's comparison page names TERA only for CRSC ("retired under Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) if they are a reservist") and lists "Are retired with 20 years Active or Reserve Duty" for CRDP. If you retired under TERA, ask DFAS to confirm CRDP for your case.
Reserve and Guard retirees
DFAS: "Reservists and national guardsmen must be eligible to retire based on service, normally 60 years old." You are entitled to CRDP only for months in which you are entitled to retired pay, so a reservist under that age is not paid CRDP yet. DoD's regulation (volume 7B, chapter 64, 2.4) agrees: "Members eligible for retirement for non-regular service are not eligible to receive both military retired pay and DVA Disability Compensation concurrently until they reach retirement age." Retired pay paid only under 10 U.S.C. 12731b (15 to under 20 years, unfit for physical disability) rules out CRSC; whether CRDP applies is not settled by the sources used here, so confirm with DFAS.
Phase-in history, 2004 to 2013
Congress phased in full concurrent receipt. Section 1414(a)(1): "During the period beginning on January 1, 2004, and ending on December 31, 2013, payment of retired pay to such a qualified retiree is subject to subsection (c)" DFAS: "The phase-in period ended on December 31, 2013." members who meet the eligibility requirements above may receive military retired pay, in full, concurrently with VA Disability Compensation. Retirees rated 100 percent, or paid at the 100 percent rate because of individual unemployability, were subject to the phase-in only during 2004 (section 1414(a)(1)(A) and (B)).
| VA rating | Restored per month |
|---|---|
| 100% (total) | $750.00 |
| 90% | $500.00 |
| 80% | $350.00 |
| 70% | $250.00 |
| 60% | $125.00 |
| 50% | $100.00 |
| Year | Share of the gap added |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 10% |
| 2006 | 20% |
| 2007 | 30% |
| 2008 | 40% |
| 2009 | 50% |
| 2010 | 60% |
| 2011 | 70% |
| 2012 | 80% |
| 2013 | 90% |
The gap is the difference between the current baseline offset and the amount payable for the previous year (1414(c)(2) to (10)). DFAS points to archived Financial Management Regulations for the historical computation. Retroactive CRDP can go back as far as January 1, 2004, limited by your retirement date, when your rating first reached 50 percent and your circumstances.
Is CRDP going away?
Here is what the sources say, and nothing more. The phase-in is what ended: DFAS says "The phase-in period ended on December 31, 2013." The current text of 10 U.S.C. 1414(a) gives qualified retirees the right to be paid both retired pay and VA compensation and contains no expiration date for that right. The only dated period in the section is the phase-in, 2004 through 2013.
This page does not forecast legislation. If you see a claim that CRDP is ending, check the statute text linked below and DFAS's CRDP page (last updated July 17, 2023 in the copy this page used).
CRDP or CRSC?
CRDP is not the only way to recover waived retired pay. CRSC is the other, for combat-related disabilities, and you receive one of the two. DFAS: "You may qualify for both types of payments, but you can only receive either CRDP or CRSC, not both." DFAS will automatically apply the entitlement that is most beneficial to you based on your gross amount of each entitlement. CRSC is not taxed and CRDP is, and CRSC has a lower minimum rating but needs an application. The CRSC calculator and comparison table set them side by side for your numbers, including the federal tax rate at which CRSC overtakes CRDP.
CRDP questions
What is CRDP?
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay is the name for the rule that lets a qualifying military retiree be paid both retired pay and VA disability compensation. The statute says a qualified retiree "is entitled to be paid both for that month without regard to sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38." DFAS notes the term CRDP is not used in the law; it describes the right to receive both together.
Who qualifies for CRDP?
A retiree entitled to military retired pay who is also entitled to VA compensation for service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or more, combined. Chapter 61 disability retirees need 20 years or more of service and are limited as described above. Reservists must be entitled to retired pay, which DFAS says is normally at age 60.
Is there CRDP at 40% or lower?
No. The statute defines a qualifying disability as one "rated as not less than 50 percent disabling by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs." At a lower rating, VA compensation still reduces retired pay dollar for dollar unless you qualify for CRSC, which has a 10 percent minimum but covers only combat-related disabilities.
How much is CRDP pay?
CRDP restores the retired pay that is waived for VA pay. In the statute's terms the waiver is the lesser of your retired pay and your VA compensation, and since 2014 a regular retiree gets all of it back (Chapter 61 retirees are limited). DFAS gives this example: This member may receive military retired pay ($800) in full concurrently with the member’s VA Disability Compensation ($1200). The calculator on the CRSC page works out your own number.
Is there a CRDP pay chart?
There is no separate CRDP rate table, because CRDP is not a fixed amount. The table above shows the most it can restore at each VA rating, which is VA's 2026 compensation rate, limited by your retired pay.
Do I need to apply for CRDP?
Usually not. DFAS: "No application is required. Eligible retirees receive CRDP automatically." It adds that DFAS is able to pay without a written claim in most circumstances because VA shares information with DFAS. A retiree who believes CRDP is owed but is not receiving it can submit a claim on DD Form 827 (Application for Arrears in Pay). Reservists retired under Chapter 61 for disability before eligibility age should contact their branch so DFAS gets the retirement orders.
Is CRDP taxable?
DFAS says CRDP "It is taxed in the same manner as your retired pay, and it is normally considered taxable income." CRSC, by contrast, is tax-free. State tax rules were not checked for this page.
Is CRDP going away?
The current text of 10 U.S.C. 1414 sets an end date only for the phase-in, which ran from 2004 through 2013. It contains no expiration date for the right to be paid both, and DFAS says "The phase-in period ended on December 31, 2013." This page reports what the statute and DFAS say as of October 26, 2026; it does not predict what Congress may do.
I waived retired pay to credit my military time toward a civil service retirement. Can I get CRDP?
Not on that basis. DoD's Financial Management Regulation says "A member who waives retired pay in order to credit military service for the purpose of establishing eligibility for a civil service retirement, or for any reason other than to receive VA disability compensation, is not eligible to receive both military retired pay and DVA Disability Compensation concurrently." It adds: "A member who combines his military time with his civil service time for the sole purpose of enhancing his civil service retirement may be eligible to receive both military retired pay and DVA Disability Compensation concurrently." If you receive a civil service retirement, ask DFAS and your retirement office which applies to you.
What if I retired for disability under Chapter 61?
With fewer than 20 years of service you are excluded from CRDP. With 20 years or more, CRDP applies but your retired pay stays subject to the VA waiver to the extent it exceeds the pay you would have received under another law for the same service. You can still look at CRSC, which has its own limit for Chapter 61 retirees.
Related tools
- CRSC calculator: pay chart, application steps and the CRSC vs CRDP comparison.
- Military retirement pay calculator: the gross retired pay CRDP restores.
- Military retirement pay chart: retired pay by grade and years of service.
- VA disability calculator: combined rating and monthly VA pay.
- VA disability pay chart 2026: the rates behind the table above.
- VA benefits by rating: other benefits at each rating level.
Sources: 10 U.S.C. 1414 (CRDP) · 10 U.S.C. 1413a (CRSC) · DFAS: Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay · DFAS: Comparing CRSC and CRDP · DFAS: Understanding the VA waiver · DFAS: CRSC and CRDP payment · VA compensation rates
Statute text from the Office of the Law Revision Counsel (release point read 2026-10-26). Dollar amounts are VA's 2026 rates, in effect since December 1, 2025. VA's new rates are expected to take effect December 1, 2026; they are not in these figures.
DFAS pages read from Internet Archive copies captured March–October 2026. DFAS "page updated" dates: Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay, July 17, 2023; Comparing CRSC and CRDP, August 6, 2019; Understanding the VA waiver, June 25, 2024; CRSC and CRDP payment, June 26, 2024. DoD Financial Management Regulation volume 7B, chapter 63 (June 2024) and chapter 64 (February 2025), was read the same way. Check the live pages for changes.