Pension File Glossary

The Ancestor Hunt regularly adds and updates new collection links, as well as searches for and fixes broken links.
(This page's most recent update is March 2026)

Get all free genealogy resources for your state, organized and ready to use — The Research Library

Military pension files often contain specialized terminology related to service, disability claims, benefits, and legal documentation. These terms frequently appear in pension applications, affidavits, service summaries, and administrative correspondence.

Term Definition
Affidavit Sworn written statement supporting a pension claim.
Applicant Person requesting pension benefits.
Application File Collection of documents submitted for pension claim.
Arrears Back payments owed to pension recipient.
Attestation Formal verification of service or identity.
Beneficiary Person receiving pension benefits.
Bounty Land Land granted in reward for military service.
Bounty Land Warrant Certificate allowing veteran to claim land.
Certificate Number Identification number assigned to approved pension.
Claim Formal request for pension benefits.
Claimant Individual seeking pension benefits.
Commissioner Government official overseeing pension administration.
Declaration Statement filed to initiate pension claim.
Deposition Sworn testimony taken under oath.
Dependent Pension Benefit granted to family members of deceased veteran.
Disability Pension Pension granted due to service-related disability.
Discharge Official release from military service.
Evidence Documentation supporting pension eligibility.
Examiner Official reviewing pension claim.
File Number Reference number assigned to pension file.
General Pension Act Law establishing eligibility for pension benefits.
Invalid Pension Pension granted for disability or injury.
Muster Roll Official record listing soldiers in unit.
Notary Public Official authorized to witness legal documents.
Oath Formal sworn statement.
Pension Agent Official distributing pension payments.
Pension Bureau Government agency administering pensions.
Pension Certificate Official document confirming pension approval.
Pension Roll Official list of pension recipients.
Pension Voucher Payment authorization document.
Proof of Service Evidence confirming military service.
Proof of Marriage Documentation establishing marital relationship.
Proof of Death Documentation confirming veteran’s death.
Rejected Claim Pension application denied by authorities.
Service Record Documentation of military service.
Special Examiner Investigator verifying pension claims.
Survivor Pension Pension granted to widow or dependents.
Testimony Sworn statement given as evidence.
Veteran Person who served in military.
War Department Federal department overseeing military records.
Widow’s Pension Benefit granted to surviving spouse.
Witness Individual providing sworn statement supporting claim.
Certification Official verification of record or document.
Claim Number Reference identifier for pension application.
Remarriage Clause Provision terminating widow’s pension upon remarriage.
Pension Office Government office managing pension records.
Invalid Claim Claim based on disability from service.
Record of Service Summary of military duty.

If you use Quicksheets often, the Quicksheet Vault puts 390+ of them in one organized place — clean, printable, and easy to reuse whenever you need them. Whether you keep digital references handy or build your own genealogy binder, the Vault makes research simpler. Learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *