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- Apr 14, 2006
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I just found this tidbit on the VA website, regarding social security and veterans:
Servicemembers and veterans are credited with $300 credit in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which they received active duty basic pay after 1956 and before 1978.
Veterans who served in the military from 1978 through 2001 are credited with an additional $100 in earnings for each $300 in active duty basic pay, up to a maximum of $1,200 a year. No additional Social Security taxes are withheld from pay for these extra credits. Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, and did not complete at least 24 months of active duty or their full tour of duty, may not be able to receive the additional earnings. Check with Social Security for details. Additional earnings will no longer be credited for military service periods after 2001.
Also, non-contributory Social Security earnings of $160 a month may be credited to veterans who served after Sept. 15, 1940, and before 1957, including attendance at service academies. For information, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit Social Security Online - The Official Website of the U.S. Social Security Administration. (Note: Social Security cannot add these extra earnings to the record until an application is filed for Social Security benefits.)
I believe the original intent for this rule was a belief that veterans were getting shortchanged on social security because a chunk of our compensation (BAQ. BAS etc.) was excluded from SS earnings. As I read this, if trying to estimate your SS benefits using the calculator on the SSA site, a veteran should increase the earnings for each year as appropriate under the foregoing rule.
Servicemembers and veterans are credited with $300 credit in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which they received active duty basic pay after 1956 and before 1978.
Veterans who served in the military from 1978 through 2001 are credited with an additional $100 in earnings for each $300 in active duty basic pay, up to a maximum of $1,200 a year. No additional Social Security taxes are withheld from pay for these extra credits. Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, and did not complete at least 24 months of active duty or their full tour of duty, may not be able to receive the additional earnings. Check with Social Security for details. Additional earnings will no longer be credited for military service periods after 2001.
Also, non-contributory Social Security earnings of $160 a month may be credited to veterans who served after Sept. 15, 1940, and before 1957, including attendance at service academies. For information, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit Social Security Online - The Official Website of the U.S. Social Security Administration. (Note: Social Security cannot add these extra earnings to the record until an application is filed for Social Security benefits.)
I believe the original intent for this rule was a belief that veterans were getting shortchanged on social security because a chunk of our compensation (BAQ. BAS etc.) was excluded from SS earnings. As I read this, if trying to estimate your SS benefits using the calculator on the SSA site, a veteran should increase the earnings for each year as appropriate under the foregoing rule.