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)
Want to improve your newspaper research skills? Become an AcademyPro member of the Newspaper Research Academy at Academy
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’d like this information in a clean, printable, and well-organized reference format, this topic is also included in the Quicksheet Vault. The Vault is designed for researchers who prefer working tools they can save, print, and reuse — whether that means building a personal binder of key resources or keeping reliable references close at hand. You can learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE