Active-duty and reserve United States Army soldiers do not automatically receive a lifetime salary simply for completing initial enlistment terms, but those who serve a full career and qualify for military retirement do receive a pension for life. Under traditional or modern blended retirement systems, soldiers who complete twenty or more years of active-duty service unlock a secure, guaranteed monthly pension payout that continues for the rest of their lives. Additionally, veterans may qualify for lifetime disability compensation, healthcare benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, and various educational or housing stipends based on service-connected conditions.