Social Security

[Check 6]

This is from the SSA Web site. NOTE: In most cases you must specifically request these benefits.

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 are not 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.

[Herk Driver]

This is from the SSA Web site. NOTE: In most cases you must specifically request these benefits.

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 are not 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.

So what exactly is it that in most cases I must specifically do to request these benefits??

Good info, but it looks like SSA takes care of this for each period of service.

[Boxhead]

Finance Guy...any truth to this?

> Another great benefit for serving our country.

>

> ALCON, THIS IS GREAT NEWS you can use and share with others! This is HUGE...but only IF you request it.

>

> Subject: Social Security for Vets

>

> Please share this with anyone who's had active duty service prior to January 2002 and planning for retirement. In a nutshell it boils down to this: You qualify for a higher social security payment because of your military service, for active duty any time from 1940 through 2001 (the program was done away with in January 2002).

>

> Up to $1200 per year of earnings credit credited at time of application which can make a substantial difference in social security monthly payments upon your retirement.

>

> You must bring your DD-214 to the Social Security Office - and you must ask for this benefit to receive it! Soc Sec website:

>

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

>

> This is something to put in your files for when you apply for Social Security down the road. It is NOT just for retirees, BUT anyone who has served on active duty prior to January 2002.

>

> FYI - this benefit is not automatic, you must ask for it!

[fossilsarge]

Much forked-tongue in this random e-mail -- "great news," "only if you ask for it," "substantial difference."

Coolest thing about "going on the Social" was having the local SS office blame the Great Fire of '71 (at Military Records in St. Louis) for losing my service records. Thirty-five years later that fire is still an excuse used by lazy shoes in the gub'ment!

Bottom line -- you'll need a DD-214 to prove service before 1968, for which you'll get $1200 extra per year credit (not benefits), which figured to near three bucks per month in extra benefits for me. Yipee-ki-yay!

[Hacker]

C'mon...does anyone believe that Social Security is even going to still be around by the time we get to an age where we qualify for it?

[pawnman]

I thought the only "special benefit" we got was that if you collect a retirement check, they keep your social security check up to the amount of your retirement.