Your Social Security and Military Service Credits

[MarkF48]

Stumbled onto this recently and hadn't known about it when I signed up for Social Security...
Special Extra Earnings For Military Service

Evidently as the site states for certain years of service it supposedly is added to your record automatically. I called the local SS office this morning and found the credits I was supposed to have and entitled to did not get into the system. They need a copy of the DD214 to correct this and I can either deliver it to the local office or mail it into them. It was questionable whether these credits would be retro-active to when I began collecting SS. I don't have a clue how much this might change my monthly check, but the person I spoke to did say it should increase.
If you're collecting and had military service in the dates in the link, even if stated as automatic, it would be worth a call to your SS office to ensure you're getting the credits you should have. (Hint: you may have better luck reaching the a local SS office if you have one, rather than the main national office).

 

[downsizingnow48]

Thanks for this! I too should be in the automatic category but won't hurt to check.

 

[smstonypoint]

I applied for SS online. I don't remember whether I was asked about my military service in the application process, but I was informed that I needed to provide a copy of my DD-214 to the SSA. I served from 1965-1969 and so my extra credits from 1965-67 were added to my record after I provided the DD-214 form to my local SSA office.

I don't know whether that additional credit has affected my SS check -- my military pay (adjusted for inflation) wouldn't be included in my highest 40 quarterly earnings.

Steve

 

[RPW]

I served from 1973 to 1993 and that website says they're automatically added. I will be retiring in about 5 years.

 

[ecbaatz]

I served from 1973 to 1993 and that website says they're automatically added. I will be retiring in about 5 years.

Yes, but remember this is the government we are talking about. I would verify they have the information.

USN retired

 

[mddorange]

When I signed up for SS my local SSA office asked for a copy of my DD214 and I was surprised when they did as I was not aware of this credit. I was very happy when they explained it to me and showed me the added money I would be getting..

 

[SandburRanch]

QUOTE: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.

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Extra earnings my aching donkey. When $75.00 / month for 3 years is averaged into life earnings how in he!! would that be special extra earnings.

 

[MacLawn]

Thanks! I just applied online two months ago for my gubmint check, to start next month. I served from '67-'71, so reckon I span the year mentioned. I'll have to check on this. Some years before the automatic stuff, some after... We shall see, I hope. I've been paying into SS for 54 years, since I was 12 with a paper route, never collected a dime yet. Gubmint will go belly up in three weeks.

 

[smstonypoint]

QUOTE: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.

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Extra earnings my aching donkey. When $75.00 / month for 3 years is averaged into life earnings how in he!! would that be special extra earnings.

It is my understanding that the SSA indexes annual earnings for inflation when calculating monthly benefits. The extra earnings (adjusted for inflation) might make a difference for some folks.

Steve

 

[ovrszd]

I have been drawing SS for a year. I spent 40 years in the military. I DID NOT apply online. I gathered up all my paperwork and went to my serving SS office. I suggest others do the same. If it's not important enough for you to do the leg work, then just stay home and don't draw. It's not the governments fault if you don't invest the time and energy into getting it right. Take personal responsibility for your earnings. Why can't some people get that??? :confused3: