AARP Pennsylvania Warns Veterans: “Pension Poachers” Are Targeting Your Benefits

HARRISBURG, PA. – Across Pennsylvania, former service members are being misled into financial decisions that could cost them their hard-earned veteran benefits. AARP Pennsylvania is urging veterans and their families to watch out for “pension poaching”—a scam that often begins with a friendly offer to help but can end in financial loss and disqualified benefits.

The scam usually starts with someone posing as an expert cold calling, sending mail solicitations, or showing up at a location where older adults gather offering to help former service members apply for a Veterans Administration (VA) program, called Aid and Attendance (A&A). This is a legitimate program that helps older veterans pay for long-term care if they are bedridden, living in a nursing home, or need help with daily living activities, such as bathing or eating.

But these pension poachers often recommend risky moves—like transferring retirement savings into a trust or buying a long-term annuity—to make your finances “look” eligible. These tactics don’t just fail to protect your money. They can get you disqualified from both VA or Medicaid benefits, potentially leaving you without the support you need for care.

“One financial decision, often made in good faith, can cause years of hardship,” said Mary Bach, AARP Pennsylvania Volunteer and Chair of the Consumer Issues Task Force. “These scammers are well-practiced, and they know how to sound helpful. But their goal is to line their own pockets, not protect your future.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs reviews financial changes going back three years when evaluating A&A eligibility. Medicaid has a five-year “look-back” period. If you move assets to qualify for one program, you could lose access to another. And if VA later determines you weren’t eligible, you may have to pay those benefits back.

To protect yourself:

• Don’t trust unsolicited offers to “help” with VA claims.
• Always check whether a professional is VA-accredited at va.gov/ogc.
• Talk with a trusted family member or adviser before making changes to your finances.

Veterans and their families can visit VSAFE.gov or call 833-388-7233 to report fraud and get reliable help with benefits questions—all through a single federal resource.

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Pennsylvania Fraud Resource Page at aarp.org/pafraud.

Connect with AARP Pennsylvania on Facebook: @AARPPA, X: @AARPPA, Instagram: @AARPPennsylvania, & YouTube: @TheAARPPA