Military Service and Increased Social Security Benefits
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: January 18, 2022
A 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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Tags: General Information, retirement, retirement benefits
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Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Comments
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Barbara
From the comments I can tell things at SSA are just as hard for people trying to get their benefits. You would think that it was money coming from the representatives’ own pockets. The agents really need to be trained to be HELPFUL and RESPECTFUL to the people applying for benefits. Most are old, that alone means you should have some respect. Of course I know some old people are grouchy and not nice to you, but for the most part they have worked hard for 40-50 years. You’ll be grouchy at times too. Especially if you’ve been on hold forever or denied your benefits. People are not familiar with the rules that determines how much or when they qualify. SS is just one bureaucracy that they are learning to deal with, they also may be dealing with a retirement plan, an IRA, SNAP, Medicare, and HHS. I used to work Civil Service and had customer service people who worked under me indirectly as contractors. It was not any request pertaining to their money though. If you can take time to explain to them that they are really important and you will help them get everything they are entitled to from the SSA. Be nice and people looking for your help will be nice in most cases.
Jessica
Barbara, well said. Thank you for saying what I have been thinking. It is a thankless hard job but being nice instead of nasty will go a long way. If you don’t have the patience, compassion, understanding, kindness, thoughtfulness to deal with us old people, find another job.
Troyblackwellsen
To the person that mention windfall that’s just pure theft of hard working peoples money
Ruth G.
Hi my husband has aplied for veterens benefits so mano times that he got tired of the negative anwsers he received so why bother todo try. But he was ask that if he receives SS that they can split he’s SS sin half so that they can just say that the VA is giving him a pay. I think that SS isla earned by our work not other way and isla not fiar forma those veterens that hace PTSD and the docters will not put it in veterens that have it. So why bother.
Andrey
Security my ssa card and SSI benefits today and tomorrow. Thank you!
Paul U.
Since military members make less than civilian sector there needs to be an upward credit for figuring their social security benefits.
John
That is ridiculous, if you want higher pay get a new job that pays more. No one forced you into or to stay in the military since the draft was abolished.
John G.
I am a retired federal employee and a military veteran living in Germany. I became eligible for social security last November and have been trying to apply numerous times to the consulate in Frankfurt to apply and to date have received no response whatsoever. And apparently the phone number is non-operational. This is a disastrous situation for me.
A.C.
Hi, John. We are sorry to hear that. We have referred your concerns to our Operations Staff. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
A.C.
Hi, John. We are sorry to hear that. We have referred your concerns to our Operations Staff. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Don G.
My Air Force military service consists of 5 years active duty(which includes 2 years Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam conflict), and 6 years flying in the Air Force reserve. However, my DD214 shows only 5 years active duty. For many years I have written and asked for some type of proof of my 6 years as a Reservist and I always just receive my DD214 showing only the 5 years active Duty. Proof of the 6 years in the Reserve could affect my Social Security quite
significantly. Any ideas on how to get Reserve credit?
Mike
I was in the National Gaurd and they use NGB-22 instead of DD 214. The Reserves may use the same form.
A.C.
Hi, Don. Please contact us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance with specific questions . 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.
John g.
They would have taken out social security payment from your reserve pay. So there is not any additional credit to be gotten.
Cynthia D.
CCPTPT-014-CDG-2022
Thank you for informing me about the Military COLA. wherefore, I am not receiving since 2007 wherefore I declared Political Abduction.
Lastly, may I depose I am also 3 Star General COM SHIELA MOUTTOUT KENEDY of the UE prior to my assignment as the Admiral General of the Navy Reserve with my very single name CYNTHIA DULAY GUNDAN. Worst my, Military Awarded Parcel at 229 Dorset Rd Tobyhanna PA 18344 was imposed with ILLEGAL TAXES and was sequestered using Notice by the Sheriff and Forceful Entry in 2014.
Ronald W.
I wish I could get more from social security , get war time pension but would like to know if I can more help please contact if anyone knows
Mark K.
I applied for SSDI over and over and never appealed. Then I ran out of quarters and was not qualified anymore.
I applied for VA Disability compensation and was given 100% Permanent and Total for PTSD.
If I would have had the VA before I applied for SSDI my chances would have been better.
I know people that get VA 100% and SSDI.
I wish I had recourse.
Now I get a small amount because my Vietnamese wife died as a US Citizen after a short career in the United States.
Paul U.
ALWAYS APPEAL! Once you start a new claim all the previous info does not apply.
Don
It is great to get a SS benefit….Thank you !
But if I remember correctly, I paid into the SS system every paycheck…
Does anyone get a benefit that did not pay into the system?
Just wondering…
Last comment.. I hate the Windfall Provision..
That is pure theft from folks who earned the full benefit …
it’s a shame to be cheated out of that portion that was paid for and earned.
My two cents worth…
I am anxiously awaiting your reply..
Don