Special Extra Earnings for Military Service

[Gardnr]

Has anybody here dealt with this? I'd never heard of it before seeing this at military.com


Veterans Report - Extra Social Security Benefits

SS site: Special Extra Earnings for Military Service

The SS site says, "From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record."

But the military.com article says, "The DD-214 can establish eligibility for up to $1,200 per year of earnings credited at time of application."

My SS statement does not reflect any such credits. I think the SS site info is misleading and/or insufficient.

Anybody with experience with this to help clarify?

Thanks

 

[Gardnr]

Oops, sorry, Should have done a search first.

It looks like this has actually been touched on here before.

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/search.php?searchid=526429

The one thing that occurs to me here is that the $1200 credit is actually worth more than that since it's indexed in the benefit calculation. It's still not a great amount but it should be 5-6 times that when indexed, if I'm understanding the process correctly.

I can use everything I can get in ER!

 

[OAG]

You are understanding it correctly. You just need to furnish the SSA copies (original or with the raised seal of the military department on them). If you do not have them you can order them from the NPRC in St. Louis, MO (http://vetrecs.archives.gov) or call them at (1-314-801-0800) and they will send you a set to use when you file with SSA.

 

[Gardnr]

You are understanding it correctly. You just need to furnish the SSA copies (original or with the raised seal of the military department on them). If you do not have them you can order them from the NPRC in St. Louis, MO (http://vetrecs.archives.gov) or call them at (1-314-801-0800) and they will send you a set to use when you file with SSA.

Thanks. Now I just have to remember to do it when the time comes!

Do you know if this comes up in the application process for those who may forget or aren't aware of it? Just wondering.

 

[OAG]

Thanks. Now I just have to remember to do it when the time comes!

Do you know if this comes up in the application process for those who may forget or aren't aware of it? Just wondering.

Yes, the current application process does ask you for your dates of military service that may qualify. Then later on they ask for you to mail the required documents in.

 

[Bikerdude]

The SS web site says "years 1968 though 2001 have already been added and credits applied to your record". I've looked at my earnings for those years and don't see anything added. Anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[OAG]

The SS web site says "years 1968 though 2001 have already been added and credits applied to your record". I've looked at my earnings for those years and don't see anything added. Anyone else had a similar experience?

Not sure of this, but I think they are "credits" added to the calculation AFTER they use your earnings (not including the military earnings) and are not reflected as "additional earnings" in any way. Like all Government things it is never simple. Maybe you could solve the question by calling them at the 1-800 number.

 

[Bikerdude]

Maybe you could solve the question by calling them at the 1-800 number.

I wonder If they are as 'efficient' as the IRS with their 800 number.
I guess there's only one way to find out.

 

[OAG]

Call late in the week (and later in the month) and you should be able to get through in a reasonable amount of time. They say they are busy early in the week OR the first part of the month.

 

[Nords]

The SS web site says "years 1968 though 2001 have already been added and credits applied to your record". I've looked at my earnings for those years and don't see anything added. Anyone else had a similar experience?

Before 2001, my annual statements didn't include the military wage credits.

After 2002, my annual statements suddenly included the wage credit. It wasn't reflected in the earnings data but it was included in the projected SS amounts.

When filing for SS, verify that they have your military service on record and be ready to provide a DD-214. And, of course, that's only necessary if you were in the military before 2002.