This is for 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! See the Social Security website for more information.
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!
I retired 10 years ago and am currently receiving Social Security and Military Retire benefits. I didn’t learn about the “Social Security for Vets” program until recently. Can I still apply for it?
I went on permanent Social Security disability in 1996. I am a Vietnam Era Veteran, with over 2 years of service. Do I qualify for this increase?
A friend of mine did two years of active duty in the u.s. navy in the 1960′s. He was told by the social security office in his home town in michigan he don’t qualify for the $100 a month extra social security payment because he had to serve 3 or 4 years of active duty. I am wondering if this is a fact, because i couldn’t find anything on the social security website that states the amount of time a vet had to serve on active duty. request you email me and let me know. thank you.