Verizon offers a 15% discount on most wireless plans for active-duty military, veterans, and military families

Verizon's military discount applies to the monthly service charges on individual and family plans, but not to device purchases, add-on services like insurance, or one-time fees. The discount is called the Verizon Military Discount and is available to active-duty service members, retirees, veterans, and may be able to access family members of military personnel.

The discount amount is 15% off your base plan cost. If you have a family plan with multiple lines, each line gets the discount applied to its portion of the bill. You can stack this discount with some other Verizon offers, though not all — the company's terms specify which combinations work together.

Key Takeaways

  • Verizon's military discount is 15% off monthly plan charges for active-duty members, retirees, veterans, and some family members.
  • You will need to verify your military status through ID.me, a third-party verification service, during signup or when adding the discount to an existing account.
  • The discount applies to your monthly service bill but not to device purchases, device protection plans, or one-time activation fees.
  • You can add the discount to an existing Verizon account by going to your account settings online or calling Verizon customer service at 1-908-559-4899.

Who qualifies for the Verizon military discount

Verizon considers you may be able to access if you are an active-duty service member in any branch of the U.S. military, a military retiree with a valid military ID, a veteran with a VA disability rating or other veteran credentials, or a spouse or dependent of an active-duty member or retiree. The definition of dependent varies — Verizon typically includes spouses and unmarried children under 26 on a parent's health insurance, but you should confirm your specific relationship qualifies before you begin verification.

If you are a veteran without a VA disability rating, you can still verify through ID.me using your military service records. The verification process accepts discharge papers, military ID cards, VA health identification cards, and other official military documents. Verizon does not require a specific type of discharge — honorable, general, or other-than-honorable discharges all may have access to, as long as you can prove you served.

How to add the discount to a new Verizon account

When you sign up for a new Verizon wireless plan online or in a store, you can select the military discount option during checkout. Verizon will direct you to ID.me, where you upload a photo of your military ID, discharge papers, or other proof of service. ID.me verifies the document and confirms your status — this usually takes a few minutes, though it can take up to 24 hours in some cases.

Once ID.me confirms your status, the discount is applied to your account immediately. Your first bill will show the 15% reduction on the plan charges. If you are setting up a family plan, only the account holder needs to verify military status for all lines on that account to receive the discount.

Adding the discount to an existing Verizon account

If you already have a Verizon account and did not sign up with the military discount, you can add it later. Log into your Verizon account online, go to the Account section, and look for "Military Discount" or "Discounts and Offers." Click to add the discount, and you will be sent to ID.me for verification. The same documents work — military ID, discharge papers, VA card, or service records.

You can also call Verizon customer service at 1-908-559-4899 and ask to add the military discount. A representative can walk you through verification over the phone, though you may still need to complete the ID.me process online. The discount takes effect on your next billing cycle after verification is complete.

What the discount covers and what it does not

The 15% discount applies only to your monthly plan charges — the cost of your data, talk, and text service. It does not reduce the cost of a new phone or tablet you purchase from Verizon, even if you buy it at the same time you sign up. Device protection plans, international roaming charges, and premium services like Verizon Cloud storage are also excluded.

One-time fees like activation fees, upgrade fees, or early termination fees are not discounted. If you add a line to your account mid-cycle, the discount applies to that line's prorated charges starting the next billing period. Taxes and regulatory fees are calculated after the discount is applied, so your total savings is slightly less than 15% of your bill.

Combining the military discount with other Verizon offers

Verizon allows you to combine the military discount with some other promotions, but not all. You can typically stack it with autopay discounts, which save an additional $5 to $10 per line depending on your plan. You cannot combine it with other percentage-based discounts like employer discounts or the Verizon Visible discount plan.

If you are already receiving an employer discount, you will need to choose which one to keep — Verizon will not apply both. Compare the two discounts on your specific plan to see which saves you more money. Some employers offer discounts larger than 15%, so it is worth checking before you switch to the military discount.

Keeping your discount active and what happens if verification fails

Once your military status is verified through ID.me, Verizon keeps the discount on your account indefinitely. You do not need to reverify each year or provide updated documentation unless Verizon asks you to. If you change your account holder or add a new account holder to a family plan, the new person may need to verify their own military status depending on the account structure.

If ID.me cannot verify your military status from the documents you upload, you will receive a message explaining why. Common reasons include unclear photos, expired IDs, or documents that do not match the name on your Verizon account. You can resubmit different documents or contact Verizon customer service to explore other verification methods. Some customers have had success calling the military support line at 1-908-559-4899 to discuss alternative documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the military discount if I am a military spouse but not on active duty?

Yes, if you are the spouse of an active-duty member or retiree. You will need to verify your relationship through ID.me using a marriage certificate or military dependent ID card. Dependent children may also may have access to, but the rules vary by situation — contact Verizon to confirm your specific relationship qualifies.

Does the military discount work on prepaid Verizon plans?

No, the military discount is only for postpaid plans — the standard monthly billing plans. Verizon's prepaid service, called Verizon Prepaid, does not offer a military discount. If you use prepaid service, you would need to switch to a postpaid plan to receive the discount.

What if my military ID is expired?

An expired military ID can still work for verification if it clearly shows your service record and dates. ID.me may ask for additional documents like a discharge certificate or VA card to confirm your status. If you have a current VA health ID or recent discharge papers, those are often easier to verify than an old military ID.

How much will I save per month with the 15% discount?

Your savings depend on your plan cost. On a $70 plan, you would save about $10.50 per month. On a $120 family plan, you would save about $18 per month. The discount applies only to the base plan charge, not taxes or fees, so your actual bill reduction will be slightly less than 15%.

Can I transfer my military discount to a family member?

The account holder must be the person with military status. If you want to transfer service to a family member, they would need their own military status to keep the discount active. You can add family members to your account as additional lines, and they will receive the discount as long as you remain the account holder.