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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Perry
I am a retired police officer with no pension and a 401k. I am also retired military drawing a pension. I have worked 40 years of other jobs and mySSA states I am entitled to $995/month at 62. Is that benefit going to be reduced by WEP?
Thank you in advance.
A.C.
Hi, Perry. If you receive a monthly pension from work where Social Security taxes were not taken out of your pay, or if you previously received it in a lump sum payment, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) can affect how we calculate your benefit amount, resulting in a lower Social Security benefit than you otherwise would receive. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. To learn more about WEP, please visit our Benefits Planner. If you still have questions about how the payment you received may or may not affect your Social Security benefits, we ask that members in our Blog community contact our offices with questions about their specific case. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
John H.
HELP! in 2005 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer whereupon I filed with VA. First 16 years I have undergone multiple surgeries, chemo, meds, etc. Then in November 2021 I was made 100% disable since 2005 and refunded compensation. Within the VA paperwork there was a statement about taxes I had paid every year since 2005. IRS will only allow the last 3 years of amendments unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Do you consider this extraordinary and how do I go about working with IRS for 16 years of tax refunds?
A.C.
Hi, John. For tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040 or you can visit their website. You may also wish to contact your tax preparer. We hope this helps.
Cathy
I file for ssa Dec 2021. I got my first check Jan 2022. But my highest year of earnings for the year of 2021 was not on my earning statement yet. When will ssa recount my highest 35 years of earnings. I did my taxes. My 2021 earnings are on my earning statement now.
A.C.
Hi, Cathy. Each year we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years we used to compute your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount. Generally, we will send a letter explaining any increase in your benefit amount. Check out our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, for more infomation. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or contact your local office directly for any additional questions. We hope this helps.
Kiana
There is a lot of misinformation about military service and EXTRA pay for SS. I served 22 years active duty from 1978 – 2000. Would I get a military benefit for my years of service? How can I tell from my SS statement that I would be getting this? Thanks!
Dennis R.
Kiana,
Yes, you should receive $300 for every quarter of active duty. I have spent hours on the same problem. Here’s an incomplete answer. The Social Security Administration is supposed to verify your military service when you apply for your benefit. If they haven’t, you can provide your DD-214. The incomplete part is that on their website, for your account, they show your complete earnings record. BUT, the earnings they show for any year is your W-2 information for your FICA earnings. These earnings numbers do NOT include the special extra earnings (1957-2001).
K.O.
Hi, Kiana. 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.
JLawes
I haven’t received an annuity payment in almost two years. I’m told that the money is being taken to pay for Medicare. Meanwhile, Medicare has stopped my part B. Why is it I do not receive a monthly accounting as to how much I owe and when will I start receiving my monthly annuity payments again? I guess until I get these questioned I will continue to believe that SSA and Medicare are stealing monies due me for over 50 years of GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
A.C.
Hi. 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. 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.
Olga G.
My stepfather was served in the military for 5 to yrs.In special forces I am know one of them was a sergeant.But he is deceased now ,leaving behind wife and grandchildren.He was.considered dishonorable discharged,and due to this his wife doesn’t qualify for any kind of financial assistance.He wasn’t even given any flag appropriate service honoring his hard work having served.Is there any kind of help for his wife?
A.C.
Hi, Olga. We are sorry to hear abour your family’s loss. She 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 her area and find out if she qualifies, she will need to contact her state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Ron M.
Why isn’t the My ssa account online 24/7? I continue receiving the message that it’s available only during certain hours (EST).
A.C.
Hi, Ron. We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to use all of our online services today. Due to scheduled systems maintenance, some of our Online Services are unavailable during certain times.
A.C.
Hi, Ron. We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to use all of our online services today. Due to scheduled systems maintenance, some of our Online Services are unavailable during certain times.
Linda J.
Hello.
Is there a fax number where I can fax my SS5 application and documents for a replacement card to the SSA? Or where do I mail it instead?
Thanks.
A.C.
Hi, Linda. Thanks for your question. First, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing the Social Security number is what is important. To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card, please visit our Social Security Number and Card page.If you still need to submit an application with supporting documents, you can find your local office details by visiting our Social Secuirty office locator page. We hope this information is helpful.
Josh W.
The problem with this argument is that the government is mismanging the “non-fire” people’s money. Social security is structured the same way a ponzi scheme is. If at any point people stop having more kids or people live significantly longer, the system will implode (it is already slowly dying). A much more responsible thing to do would be to give more tax benefits to retirement accounts
Kristin S.
My husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease at 67. His symptoms were shuffling of feet, slurred speech, low volume speech, degradation of handwriting, horrible driving skills, and his right arm is held at 45 degree angle. He was placed on Sinemet for 7 months and then Sifrol and rotigotine were introduced which replaced the Sinemet but he had to stop due to side effects. We tried every shot available but nothing was working. There has been little if any progress in finding a reliable treatment, I quit my meds due to side effects. Our care provider introduced us to Kycuyu Health Clinic Parkinson’s herbal treatment. The treatment is a miracle. My husband has recovered significantly!
Norman A.
I was in the marines from 1956 to 1959. I suffered a hearing loss and currently receive a 40% disability check for that. I was diagnosed with parkinsons disease in 2019. A accountant told me to contact S.S. to see if I could get extra on my SS due to this disease. Can you help.
A.C.
Hi, Norman. We are sorry to hear about your condition. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. We pay disability benefits to people under their full retirement age who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or end in death. Once people reach full retirement age, we pay them their retirement benefits. If you are under your full retirement age, you can file for disability benefits. Since you are receiving benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. 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.
Tommy
Hi.
What does it mean this “We have suspended electronic access to your personal information.
We tried multiple times to match the information you provided with our records, but were unable to do so.
This suspension will not affect any Social Security benefits you receive. For further assistance, please contact us.”
I tried to create my online account for first time, and now this. Hod do I get access and register online?
No one is answering the help desk phone.
A.C.
Hi, Tommy. We are sorry to hear you were having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.
Tommy
Thanks.
How long should I wait and try again to create my account. Doesn’t say try after 24 hours? Maybe after a week or something, or this is permament block? I used login.gov. I called the help desk, no answer.
Should I call local office, can they help with the helpdesk online account, or no?