SSA: Vets may qualify for extra SS benefits

[ameriken]

I was totally not aware of this.

Retirement Planner: Special Extra Earnings For Military Service


Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.

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 arenot granted for inactive duty training.

If your active military service occurred

• From 1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security benefits.
• From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record.
• After 2001, there are no special extra earnings credits for military service.
  
• Note: In January 2002, Public Law 107-117, the Defense Appropriations Act, stopped the special extra earnings that have been credited to military service personnel. Military service in calendar year 2002 and future years no longer qualifies for these special extra earnings credits

How You Get Credit For Special Extra Earnings

The information that follows applies only to active duty military service earnings from 1957 through 2001. Here's how the specialextra earnings are credited on your record:

Service in 1957 Through 1977

You are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay.

Service in 1978 through 2001

For every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year. If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, and didn't complete at least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to receive the additional earnings. Check with Social Security for details.

http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm

http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2013/...e#.VQBctebF__H

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[Tennessee Top]

Good luck to anybody (veteran or nonveteran) dealing with the Social Security Administration. You'll have just as much success talking to a wall. I don't even waste my time anymore.

[Marine1955]

Sorry Top they aren't that bad especially if you are disable..
They shot me to the front when I went end and couldn't work any longer..Sorry you had a bad time, but they do help some times..

[FoxtrotOscar]

Government is the PROBLEM.....!!!

[Tennessee Top]

I went and talked to them about this extra benefit and I STILL don't know if I'm getting it or not (had all my DD-214's with me to prove service during the required period). Seemed like a simple enough question to me but all I got was a run-around so I just gave up (they won). If I'm getting it great. If not, they can just keep their money. As far as this Government is concerned, the illegal aliens rate it more than I do anyway.

[Riven37]

This is BS I never got any extra credit for my time in fact I had to buy back my years, i worked 42 years and now fully disabled and I get very little SSD next year I turn 65 and I am sure I'll get even less next year.

[Traxx246]

I'm on Soc Sec disability ( not service connected) and had no idea of any extra credits. I served from 29 May 84 to 7 Apr 88 and honorably discharged. Would it do any good for me to ask them about it?? Or am I wasting my time?