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
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Rick R.
Still confusing for those of us with Military Service. Sounds like there may be some extra SS credit if you served on Active Duty on or after 2001?? Is this accurate??
Ann C.
Hi, Rick. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Jose D.
How do I know that Extra earning was added to my Social Security benefits. There was no breakdown on the statement. I served from 1974 to 1994 in the USN and when I retired my benefit is smaller than the people who didn’t contribute to the system but drawing SSI of $800 a month. What a system?
Ann C.
Hi, Jose. If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Ann C.
Hi, Jose. If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Daniel J.
I get social security disability, and as a result, my daughter gets a benefit. Can the the online tool be used to change where SS sends her compensation?
Ann C.
Hi, Daniel. Thanks for your question. You can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You are not able to see your daughter’s information on your own account. If your daughter is at least 18 years of age, she can create her own account. Hope this helps!
Howard G.
When I applied for social security in 2007, at age 62, the counselor I had asked me if I was a veteran, which I was. She said I would qualify for addional ss benefits. She then looked it up and told me I was not eligable. I did not question it at the time due having been discharged with a General discharge under honorable conditions and thought that was the reason.
I have since learned through the VA that my discharge entitles me to all benefits of a full honorable discharge.
I am wondering if I am entitled to the additional money that was due to me for all those years from 2007, until the present?
If so, how do I go about getting compensated for that from the social security administration?
Thank you
Howard Niman
Ann C.
Hi, Howard. Thanks for your question. If you were in the active military service from 1957 through 1967, special extra earnings are added to your earnings record when you apply for Social Security benefits. If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Timothy V.
I served from 1979 to 1980. 1 year , Honorable discharge , medical. Am i eligible for the added social security money ?
Harold R.
How can I find out if my military service was credit to my pension served in the inactive service ANG from 1971-1977 and active AirForce 1978-1986
Ann C.
Hi, Harold. If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Ronald
I was in the military from 1966 until 1968. Am I entitled to the extra social security credit.
Ronald
I served in the military from 1966 to1968. Am I entitled to the extra social security credit and how would I know if I am receiving it.
Ann C.
Hi, Ronald. If you were in the active military service from 1957 through 1967, special extra earnings are added to your earnings record when you apply for Social Security benefits. If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Ann C.
Hi, Timothy. If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Gildo
How can I check to see if my military service from 1971 to 1992 was credited to my pension.
mike
I am in the same situation as you are. Served 20 years in military on active duty (1977-1997) which is on my earning record with SSA. I dont see any special earning anywhere? How can this be verified?
Ann C.
Hi, Mike. If your active duty was after 1967, the extra earnings are already on your record. There are no special extra earnings credits for military service after 2001. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner page. Thanks!
Ann C.
Hi, Gildo. These special earnings credits are added to your earnings record when you apply for Social Security benefits. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner page. Thanks!
Gary H.
I had to retire to take care of my wife who suffered a major stroke. I’m 72 and I had to go back to work just to make ends meet. I was just wondering why Social Security takes so much out of my check each month.
Ann C.
Hi, Gary. We are sorry to hear about your wife’s condition and your situation. The Federal Insurance and Self-Employment Contribution Acts (FICA and SECA) require the withholding of taxes from wages of employed people, and the net earnings of most self-employed people for the Social Security and Medicare programs. However, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Neville J.
I am not a U. S. citizen but has served in the U. S. Air Force from 1967 to 1971 active and reserved from 1971 to 1973. I now live in the Bahamas, my home country. I applied for benefits and was denied. I asked to be reconsidered but received no response. If veterans who did not contribute could receive benefits why can’t I who has contributed. Please respond.
Ann C.
Hi, Neville. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Since you are living outside of the U.S., please contact your local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this helps.
William
I was active duty from 06/28/72 to 07/01/1992.
Once I begin to receive SS, for the early year when base was approximately $12000.. a year.
Don’t recall seeing any extra for these years on my SS state.
Edward F.
Huh, What?
Vincent G.
By the time social security retirement benefits is approved I may already be homeless or dead. The prescription drug copay, rent, car note, insurance, food and other expenses. Since I recovered from covid19 I was left with multiple medical problems. I really need the social security retirement benefits to keep me alive. Please.
Ann C.
Hi, Vincent. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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 with the status of your application. 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.
Frank
when do we recieve the benifits ?
mike
mike
January 18, 2022 7:58PM
I am in the same situation as you are. Served 20 years in military on active duty (1977-1997) which is on my earning record with SSA. I dont see any special earning anywhere? How can this be verified?