General, Retirement

Military Service and Increased Social Security Benefits

January 13, 2022 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: January 18, 2022

Air Force Service Member at homeA misleading letter, from an unknown source, is circulating online that mentions a $1,200 special Social Security earnings credit for people who served in the military. We want to make sure veterans with active and inactive service have the appropriate information that they need and do not take unnecessary action.

Under certain circumstances, special earnings can be credited to your military pay record for Social Security purposes. Since 1957, if you have earnings for active-duty military service or active-duty training, your military service earnings have been covered under Social Security. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the armed forces reserves (such as weekend drills) is also covered by Social Security. If you served in the military before 1957 and did not pay Social Security taxes, we have added special credit to your earnings record for some of your service. These extra earnings may help you qualify for Social Security benefits or increase the amount of your benefit.

These special earnings credits are added to your earnings record automatically when you apply for Social Security benefits. You do not need to contact Social Security.

You can read more in our Military Service and Social Security fact sheet. We take your benefits seriously because we know you depend on them. Thank you for your service!

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About the Author

Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

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Comments

  1. George

    You may file for v a benefits. You need copy of dd214 discharge papers. And you need copy of death certificate to file a claim for widow pension. Your state or county might have veterans office to file. Or you can go thru American legion, DAV, or VFW.

  2. Bryan

    Would be nice to see extra money if you served, but I doubt it will ever happen

    • Krunal R.

      thanks for sheet shearing

  3. BOZORGMANESH R.

    As a son of a deceased father who served under the late Shah of Iran, I wish fellow colleagues to keep hope for those who need to read Emile Zola.

    • Charles J.

      Check the claim for Charles Anthony Johnson in Raleigh North Carolina

      • Charles J.

        Checking the status of my disability claim see if it’s still pending or what trying to be information on my claim

        • Charles J.

          Is my case still pending Charles Johnson

          • Charles J.

            I really don’t know how to read that well so I don’t know what you’re saying to me

      • Ann C.

        Hi, Charles. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. Yea

    What about Americans who served on Naval ships all over the world, paid by DON, DOD? Are there any benefits for us? Thank you

    • George

      Does the veteran have a dd214. This would show the veterans record of military service. The veteran could file for v a disability benefits or may be entitled to VA. Hospital care.
      Have to file

  5. Belinda T.

    Can the spouse/family members of a military veteran get a Covid test at a VA medical center/facility?

    • Tony G.

      No…only veterans are allowed services at a VA hospital or clinic.

      • Daniel

        Spouse and Caregiver can receive the vaccine for free at the VA in SC

    • Reuben B.

      Yes

    • George

      They were allowing spouse covid shots at VA. Call first and check out

      • Daniel

        They still are and Caregivers are included as well

    • Daniel

      I just looked it up and they do provide testing as well as the vaccine for free

  6. Fernando C.

    15% increase in Part B is not offset by a 5.9% increase in social security.

    • John J.

      In some cases it is. It depends upon the amount of the SS payment. If the payment is small it could happen. There is a hold harmless provision. If the amount of your MEDICARE premium increase is bigger than your COLA then your payment will stay the same by reducing your premium.

      • FERNANDO C.

        John do you know if the index use for the calculation of the ss includes health care costs ?
        The premium index includes health care costs.
        Why two different indexes?

  7. Mary E.

    My late husband was in the army stationed in Germany,in the Vietnam era,am I eligible for his benifits

    • Rosemary R.

      Yes if you’re married too your husband while he was in the military.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Mary. We are sorry for your loss. If you are referring to survivors benefits, you may be eligible to apply if you are age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). For more information, please visit our If You Are The Survivor page. We hope this helps. 

  8. John O.

    Enlisted Reserve Army

    Any benefits for inactive reserve?

    • Tony G.

      No.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, John. Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.

      Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. Special extra earnings credits are not granted for inactive duty training. For more information on special extra earnings for military service, visit our Retirement Planner page. If you have any additional specific questions, please contact your local Social Security office. Thanks! 

       

  9. David S.

    I would ike to see he “windfall penalty”, so called, retroactively removed, even if taxes were to be applied for that portion related to the “windfall” reduction upon being included to the current SS payments. I lost around 400/mo due to a town not witholding taxes from the town retirement, and I feel robbed of my legally obtained retirement in that amount.

    • John B.

      I had 21 years contributing to SS between my active duty and reserves and about 4 years of being a private citizen. But since I had another civil service job, the windfall clipped 2/3 of my “EARNED” SS benefits, away. It was a small amount I should have gotten and I understood that but come on. I’m collecting a total after my Part B is taken out of $93.00. When in actuality it should be between $400 and $600.

      • Jim

        How much are you getting from your civil service pension?

    • Jim

      How much are you getting from your civil service pension?

  10. Andy A.

    No comment yet

    • Douglas

      Smart move Andy,,

Comments are closed.