I use the Social Security Detailed Benefit Calculator (AnyPIA) to determine the impact of my military service on benefits. There are Special Extra Earnings for Military Service that can increase your effective income for years of qualifying service and therefore increase your benefit.
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Military Service Impact on Social Security Benefits – Charting Retirement
Military service is unique in many ways, and one such distinction lies in its impact on social security benefits. Veterans and active duty service members may be eligible for additional benefits or face certain considerations when it comes to planning for retirement. Understanding the implications of military service on social security benefits is crucial for charting a successful retirement strategy.
1. Social Security Earnings Record and Military Service:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers military service as part of an individual’s work history. While serving in the military, service members earn credits towards social security, just like any other job. Therefore, military personnel can accumulate a substantial credit record, which is crucial for determining eligibility for benefits later in life.
2. Social Security Benefits and Military Pensions:
One important consideration for veterans is the interaction between social security benefits and military pensions. In most cases, individuals can receive both benefits simultaneously without any reduction in their respective payments. However, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) may affect those who also qualify for a government pension from a job where they did not pay social security taxes. The WEP can potentially reduce the social security benefits of affected individuals.
3. Disability Benefits for Disabled Veterans:
Veterans who became disabled during active duty may be eligible for both social security disability benefits and Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation. These benefits are separate and have distinct eligibility criteria. Receiving VA disability compensation does not automatically disqualify an individual from receiving social security disability benefits.
4. Military Earned Income Tax Exclusion (EITE):
Service members and certain support personnel stationed abroad can take advantage of the EITE, which allows them to exclude a portion of their income from both federal and state taxes. However, it is important to note that the excluded income does not contribute to an individual’s social security earnings record. Consequently, it can impact the calculation of social security benefits in retirement.
5. Survivor Benefits for Spouses and Children:
The families of deceased veterans or active duty service members may be entitled to survivors’ benefits, which can help replace a portion of the lost income. Surviving spouses and children may be eligible for both social security survivor benefits and VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits. However, receiving DIC benefits may affect the amount of social security survivor benefits an individual receives.
6. Special Benefits for Medal of Honor Recipients:
Medal of Honor recipients are eligible for additional special benefits provided by the SSA. These include a higher monthly social security payment amount in addition to regular retirement or disability benefits. Furthermore, the SSA expedites the processing of claims for Medal of Honor recipients to ensure they receive their benefits promptly.
When planning for retirement, it is important for military personnel and veterans to consider the potential impacts of their service on social security benefits. Consulting with financial advisors and specialists who understand the intricacies of military service and social security can help ensure a well-informed retirement strategy that maximizes benefits.
In conclusion, military service has distinct implications for social security benefits. Whether it is accumulating social security credits, considering the WEP, balancing disability benefits, or understanding survivor benefits, military personnel and veterans should be aware of the potential impact on their retirement strategy. By utilizing the available resources and seeking professional advice, they can chart a successful path towards a secure and fulfilling retirement.
IT IS NOT LISTED an I have worked for over 40+ years but, it does not list my Military service at all, at all!~
Thanks
I served from 1988 to 1991 do I qualify for that income if I get social security
How can I check to see if my military service was credited to my account? I have been receiving it for 7 years. Thanks!
1977 is that calculated from 01 Jan to 31 Dec.
This is misleading social security automatically adds it . Most people won’t see anymore money . They ask for your dd214 to verify
On the Social Security Administration website, this is NOT verified. A letter, from an unidentified source, made the claim about the Special Earnings for Military Service in 2022, BUT your service time period was automatically credited when you initially applied. SO, the extra $1200/year claim is bogus. Sorry everyone.
I discovered that the vast majority of veterans automatically get this when they apply for SS; assuming that answered when asked they were a veteran when they applied for SS. SS then automatically checks with the VA and adds the extra earnings. I was told that there is a block of vets from '67 – '69 whose records were lost in a fire that might have to separately apply.
This is misleading. The SSA web site has a fact sheet about this subject at https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10017.pdf. The important take away is this statement on that fact sheet: NOTE: In all cases, the additional earnings are credited to the earnings that we average throughout your working lifetime, not directly to your monthly benefit amount.
This first came up on my feed a little while ago and I did not believe it. Thank you showing exactly how this works. I calculated My PIA to the penny before I started collecting SS in 2021, However My first four years a 20 years of military service were not used in my 35 years for calculating AIME. Even when indexed they were my lowest income years from 42 years of earnings. Need to go back and to see what the difference will be. Every nickel counts.
Based on this video and another, i went to the social security office to make the claim. The implication is that you may get additional funds on top of your social security. NOT TRUE!!!. The supervisor there explained that when i retired, my military service was taken into consideration, and that what i am already getting includes those funds stated in the video… i am not satisfied so I am going to contact my congressman. But if they are correct, then there is an ambiguity to the rule.
I served from 1971 to 1973. Iam 72 but I am still working. Do I get the benefits?. Thank you.
My wife rtired with 22 yrs and me with 26 yrs.
Thanks for the video. I server 1973-1994. I plan to check this out.
SSI checks this when you first apply so don't worry about it.
I don't know if you're incorrect or the SSA is, however, if you look at the following pdf provided by the SSA and dated 2023, it clearly states that for the time period I served (1979-1985) they HAVE ALREADY made the calculation.
Here's the link: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10017.pdf.
Here's the exact verbiage: "• From 1968 through 2001, you don’t need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record."
While I'm not accusing you of intentionally misleading Veterans about this issue in the hope that they'll either subscribe to your channel, or worse yet, pay some sort of 'fee,' in order to have the computation done for them, unless the SSA is intentionally publishing false information, not only is the claim and calculation unnecessary for my calculation, it wasn't necessary for your either, unless, you started your Social Security payment prior to 2023 (I'm waiting another six months until I reach age 70.) since the pdf I provided the link for is dated 2023.
What is the most you can get if you served over 22 years during that period?
Trusty Shellback!, many thanks.
Great info! I wasn't aware of the military benefit for SS, and today, every dollar counts!!
How can you VERIFY that it has been credited to your earnings record once you apply for benefits? Will it show up in your historical earnings record for those years of qualifying military service?
How can we use that calculator? Also, do you know, or does anyone, does SSA add the 1200 a year to your actual military pay for each year and THEN apply the indexing factors they use for all years below age 60? Or is the index factoring done first, then the 1200 a year added on?
Thanks
military service jan 3 78 to jan 3, 82 then out for 3 weeks then 28 jan 82 to 28 jan 98. is this 2 periods. both with navy.
The SSA website now says that my military service will automatically be credited/adjusted in, is that correct? I didn’t see anywhere that I could put in my service dates or anything about my service while completing the benefits form online. Just ant to make sure I’m not missing something before I finish the form and sign it. I’m pulling the trigger and gonna take it while I can at age 62.5!
1st time I've heard of this benefit thank you
I checked this out and I went to the SSA office and they said for my 21 years of continuous service in the USAF starting from 1957 on, I had no extra funds due for anything.
Can I retain you to set up my info for SS for my future SS claim? I'm looking file at 62 2+ years from now. Lemme know. Thx
So, I served for 6 years after I got out of high school. Then I went to college, got a degree, then worked 40 years in the computer industry. Even my first year of wages, after graduation, was more than my military salaries. Retired at 66, waited until I was 70 before taking benefits. So ‘obviously’, my top 35 years were not my military years. So, my military service does not impact my SSA benefits in any way, right? It’s difficult to imagine that anyone’s military service being in your highest earning years, unless you were a lifer.
Thank you for the important information. I am a combat Viet Nam veteran served 1969 thru 1971. I retired at 65. Should I contact SS to see if I am entitled to this benefit? Thank you.
I talked to the social security office and they said this information is not real.
Interesting! So just wondering, if I have retired from the military, when can I start getting social security? It is still at age 62? Correct?
Did something change after 9-11 that ended this program? Seems to send a bad message to discontinue a program for those that served post 9-11.
Only other thing I can think of is the replacement of the 20 year pension that the armed forces went to. (but I don't think that started in 2002)
Great information sir.
Thanks
Semper fi
OK Where are these charts you jumped to?
Ha of course I enter the military in 2002, once they stop the extra earnings. They did they get rid of it?!