New Jersey is home to more than 370,000 veterans — and the Garden State delivers meaningful financial relief through a $250 annual property tax deduction for all eligible veterans, a full property tax exemption for 100% P&T disabled veterans, free tuition at NJ public colleges, and strong employment and business programs.
New Jersey is home to more than 370,000 veterans, one of the highest veteran concentrations in the Northeast. The state's military footprint includes two significant installations that shape its veteran community: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst — the only joint base in the nation combining Air Force, Army, and Navy missions — which brings together the 87th Air Base Wing, the 10th Mountain Division's Joint Training Center, and a Navy Weapons Training Facility; and Picatinny Arsenal, the Army's premier research, development, and engineering center for weapons and munitions, located in Morris County.
New Jersey's veteran population is distributed throughout the state but concentrated in suburban communities across Bergen, Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, and Camden counties. The state has a long tradition of recognizing military service through its legislative framework, and NJ veterans benefit from a multi-layered system of property tax relief, educational access, and employment advantages that reward years of service to the nation.
One important financial note: New Jersey has a state income tax, but military retirement pay is partially or fully exempt depending on income — a benefit discussed in detail below under Additional Benefits. Understanding this exemption is critical for NJ veterans making residency and retirement planning decisions.
New Jersey operates a two-tier property tax benefit system for veterans: a universal deduction available to all honorably discharged veterans, and a full exemption reserved for those with the highest disability ratings.
Under N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.10, any honorably discharged veteran who owns and occupies a primary residence in New Jersey is entitled to a $250 annual deduction from their property tax bill — not from assessed value, but directly from the tax owed. This applies to:
While $250 is modest, it is available to the broadest possible pool of NJ veterans — including those with no disability rating at all. For veterans who have lived in New Jersey for decades without claiming this benefit, back-claims may be possible in some circumstances; consult your local tax assessor.
The more powerful benefit is the full property tax exemption under N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.30, available to veterans with a 100% permanent and total (P&T) service-connected disability. This exemption eliminates property taxes entirely on the veteran's primary residence in New Jersey — a state with some of the highest property taxes in the nation, averaging approximately $9,400 per year statewide and exceeding $15,000–$20,000 annually in high-value suburban counties.
The financial impact of this exemption is enormous. A Bergen County veteran with a home generating $14,000 in annual property taxes who achieves 100% P&T status saves $14,000 per year — or approximately $280,000 over a 20-year period, not accounting for tax rate increases. This makes the NJ full property tax exemption one of the most financially valuable state veteran benefits in the country, purely because of NJ's high baseline tax rates.
The surviving spouse of a veteran who was receiving either the $250 deduction or the full property tax exemption may continue to receive that benefit after the veteran's death, provided the surviving spouse remains unmarried and continues to own and occupy the same property. This protection is particularly significant in New Jersey given the high property tax burden — the exemption continuing after a veteran's death can be the difference between a surviving spouse being able to afford to remain in the family home.
Both the $250 deduction and the full exemption are administered by your local municipal tax assessor. Applications must be filed by November 1 of the year preceding the tax year in which you want the benefit to apply. Contact your township, borough, or city assessor's office for the appropriate application form (typically Form V.S.S. for the deduction and a separate exemption form for 100% P&T veterans).
If your VA disability rating is approaching 100% but not yet there, use the claim.vet disability calculator to identify whether additional secondary conditions could push your combined rating to 100% — the NJ full exemption makes this calculation especially valuable.
New Jersey provides multiple education funding pathways for veterans and their families through state-funded programs that complement federal GI Bill benefits.
The New Jersey Veterans Tuition Waiver provides free tuition at New Jersey public colleges and universities for eligible veterans. Qualifying veterans include those who served during wartime periods and/or have a service-connected disability, and who meet NJ residency requirements. Covered institutions include Rutgers University, New Jersey City University, Rowan University, and all New Jersey county colleges — a network serving hundreds of thousands of students statewide.
The waiver covers tuition and mandatory fees; room, board, and textbooks are not covered. At Rutgers Newark, where in-state tuition exceeds $15,000 per year, this waiver represents substantial savings. Veterans currently receiving GI Bill benefits should discuss coordination with the institution's certifying official to optimize the combined value.
New Jersey offers a unique benefit for the children of veterans who were prisoners of war or are listed as missing in action: the POW/MIA Scholarship provides free tuition at any New Jersey public college or university for eligible dependents. This is one of the more robust POW/MIA programs in the nation, recognizing the sacrifice of families whose loved ones were held captive or never returned from service. Children of NJ POW/MIA veterans should contact the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for current eligibility criteria and application procedures.
Members of the New Jersey National Guard are eligible for supplemental state tuition assistance at New Jersey public institutions, designed to work alongside the federal National Guard Tuition Assistance (TA) program. Guard members pursuing degrees while serving part-time should contact their unit education officer for current benefit levels. The combination of federal TA, state supplemental assistance, and institutional scholarships can make a college degree essentially free for many NJ Guard members.
Free tuition at Rutgers, NJCU, Rowan, and all NJ public colleges and universities for qualifying wartime and service-connected disability veterans.
Free tuition at any NJ public college for children of veterans who were prisoners of war or listed as missing in action. A unique and meaningful benefit.
Supplemental state tuition assistance for NJ National Guard members, designed to fill gaps in federal tuition assistance at NJ public institutions.
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA) serves as the primary state agency for veteran services, operating an extensive network of offices, residential care facilities, and burial services throughout New Jersey.
NJDMAVA operates a statewide Veterans Service Network, providing accredited Veterans Service Officers who assist with VA disability claims, pension applications, healthcare enrollment, education benefits coordination, and state program navigation. These services are provided at no cost to veterans and their families. NJDMAVA has offices throughout the state — veterans can visit njdmava.state.nj.us to locate the nearest Veterans Service Office or call NJDMAVA's main line.
NJDMAVA operates two Veterans Memorial Homes providing skilled nursing and residential care for eligible veterans in a veteran-centered environment:
Both facilities provide skilled nursing care, assisted living, and memory care. Eligible veterans must be honorably discharged New Jersey residents. Contact NJDMAVA for admission requirements, current bed availability, and financial eligibility criteria.
The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown (Burlington County) provides free burial for eligible New Jersey veterans and their spouses. Eligible veterans are those with honorable discharge who were New Jersey domiciliaries. The cemetery provides burial plots, opening and closing, and a grave liner at no cost. Veterans who wish to be interred at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery should pre-register through NJDMAVA to ensure availability.
New Jersey's veteran employment system combines civil service preference points, dedicated workforce services, and private-sector veteran career fair infrastructure to give veterans a meaningful advantage in the job market.
New Jersey awards preference points to veterans on state civil service examinations, giving them a competitive edge in hiring for state government positions:
| Veteran Category | Preference Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honorably discharged veterans (non-disabled) | 5 points | Added to passing civil service score |
| Veterans with service-connected disability | 10 points | Maximum preference; applies to initial hiring |
| Surviving spouses of certain veterans | 10 points | Spouses of veterans killed in service or from SC disability |
New Jersey state government is one of the largest employers in the state, with tens of thousands of positions across agencies ranging from the Department of Transportation and the NJ State Police to the Department of Human Services and educational institutions. Civil service preference points can be decisive in competitive hiring pools.
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides priority employment services to veterans through its One-Stop Career Centers under the federal Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program. Dedicated Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists provide resume assistance, job matching, career counseling, and referrals to training and apprenticeship programs. Veterans should visit their nearest NJ One-Stop Career Center to connect with these no-cost services.
RecruitMilitary hosts veteran-focused career fairs in the New Jersey market, connecting transitioning service members and veterans with employers actively seeking military talent. These events typically occur in the Philadelphia/South Jersey market and the New York/North Jersey market, drawing employers across defense, healthcare, technology, logistics, and financial services sectors. NJDMAVA and the NJ Department of Labor also co-sponsor veteran hiring events throughout the year.
New Jersey offers a meaningful program for veteran entrepreneurs: the New Jersey Veterans Business Registry.
Veteran-owned businesses registered through the NJ Veterans Business Registry receive state procurement preference — meaning when state agencies are awarding contracts for goods and services, registered veteran-owned businesses receive preference in the evaluation process. This can open significant revenue opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs, given New Jersey's large state government procurement budget.
To register, veteran-owned businesses must provide proof of veteran ownership (DD-214), business registration with the State of New Jersey, and other required documentation. Registration is administered through the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Once registered, businesses can access the state procurement system and identify contract opportunities for which they receive preference.
This benefit is particularly valuable in the defense technology corridor running from Fort Monmouth (formerly) through South Jersey, where many veteran entrepreneurs have launched companies in engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, and professional services.
New Jersey taxes income, but provides meaningful relief for retired military personnel. Military retirement pay is partially or fully exempt from New Jersey income tax depending on the veteran's total income level:
For veterans receiving both military retirement and VA disability, understanding which income is subject to NJ tax is important for accurate tax planning. In general, VA compensation is never taxable at any level; military retirement may be partially or fully exempt in NJ depending on your income.
New Jersey provides free hunting and fishing licenses to veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled. New Jersey's hunting opportunities in the Pine Barrens, Delaware Water Gap, and waterfowl zones, as well as freshwater and saltwater fishing access along the Jersey Shore and inland lakes, make this a meaningful benefit for outdoorsmen. Applications are processed through the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife; bring your VA award letter confirming 100% SC disability.
New Jersey offers a variety of veteran specialty license plates, including plates recognizing specific branches of service, combat theaters, Purple Heart recipients, and disabled veteran status. Fees and eligibility vary by plate type; the disabled veteran plate may be available at reduced or waived fees. Contact the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission for current options and documentation requirements.
With New Jersey's average property tax exceeding $9,400/year — and suburban counties often reaching $15,000+ — the full 100% P&T exemption is one of the most valuable state benefits in the nation. Not at 100% yet? Let's review your rating.
Start Your Free Claim Review →The $250 annual deduction (N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.10) reduces your tax bill by $250 and is available to any honorably discharged veteran who owns and occupies a NJ primary residence — no disability required. The full exemption (N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.30) eliminates your entire property tax bill on your primary residence and requires a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating. These are separate programs; qualifying veterans should file for both if they meet both criteria.
New Jersey's full exemption statute specifies "permanent and total disability" — veterans receiving TDIU (paid at the 100% rate but not necessarily rated schedular 100%) should verify their eligibility directly with their local tax assessor. Bring documentation showing 100% compensation rate and P&T status. Some assessors accept TDIU; others require a schedular 100% rating. This ambiguity makes it worth pursuing a schedular 100% rating if you're currently at TDIU. Use the claim.vet calculator to explore your options.
New Jersey's full property tax exemption is particularly powerful given the state's high baseline property taxes — making it more financially impactful than similar programs in lower-tax states. The POW/MIA Scholarship for children is also relatively rare nationally. However, NJ's income tax (even with the military retirement exemption) is a consideration compared to no-tax states. Use the claim.vet state benefits comparison tool to see how NJ stacks up against New York, Pennsylvania, and other states.
Applications for both the $250 deduction and the full exemption must be filed with your local municipal tax assessor by November 1 of the pretax year. For example, to receive the benefit for the 2026 tax year, you must apply by November 1, 2025. Contact your township or borough assessor's office for the correct forms.
NJDMAVA's Veterans Service Network provides free, accredited assistance with VA disability claims, appeals, and state benefits at offices throughout New Jersey. Visit njdmava.state.nj.us for office locations and contact information. You can also start your claim review using claim.vet's free claim review tool and compare your state benefits with the state benefits comparison tool.
New Jersey's combination of meaningful property tax relief, accessible higher education programs, employment preference, and the unique POW/MIA Scholarship creates a strong overall benefits package for the state's 370,000+ veterans. The most financially transformative step for most NJ veterans is ensuring their VA disability rating accurately reflects all service-connected conditions — particularly given how dramatically the full property tax exemption changes the financial equation for high-rated disabled veterans in New Jersey's property tax environment. Use the claim.vet disability calculator to review your current rating, and when you're ready to file or increase your claim, start your free claim review.