Does military service increase your Social Security benefits?

From 1957 through 2001, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you may have extra Social Security wage credits added to your earnings record. These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.
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Do you get more Social Security if you served in the military?

Generally, there is no reduction of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement benefits. You'll get your Social Security benefit based on your earnings and the age you choose to start receiving benefits. While you're in military service, you pay Social Security taxes, just as civilian employees do.
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How much Social Security do veterans get?

The average monthly Social Security benefit for veterans is $1,008 compared with $892 for male nonveterans (see Table 3). Among persons aged 62–74, monthly Social Security benefits average $1,028 for veterans and $957 for male nonveterans.
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How does my military retirement affect my Social Security?

Generally, there is no reduction of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement benefits. You'll get your full Social Security benefit based on your earnings. While you are in military service, you pay Social Security taxes just as civilian employees do.
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Can you draw Social Security and VA benefits at the same time?

Can I collect both Social Security disability benefits and VA disability compensation? Yes, military veterans who become disabled during their service can collect disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation at the same time.
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Military Service Impact on Social Security Benefits - Charting Retirement



Does military service count towards state retirement?

As a general rule, military service in the Armed Forces of the United States is creditable for Federal retirement purposes if it was active service terminated under honorable conditions, and performed prior to separation from civilian service for retirement.
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What benefits do army veterans get?

Major Veteran Benefit Programs
  • Disability compensation.
  • Veteran's pension programs.
  • Free or low-cost medical care through VA hospitals and medical facilities.
  • Education programs.
  • Housing and home loan guarantees.
  • Job training.
  • Small Businesses and business loans (Through Small Business Administration)
  • Counseling.
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Do Vietnam vets get more Social Security?

In general, Vietnam veterans received more money from Social Security and retirement plans than nonveterans; nonveterans had more earnings and more investment income.
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Why is military retirement taxed so high?

The IRS says that almost half of the unpaid taxes owed by current and retired federal employees at tax time are owed by retired military. Many military retirees have too little money withheld from their pension payouts for taxes because they calculated their withholding based on that income alone.
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Are Vietnam era veterans considered Vietnam veterans?

Vietnam era veterans are those who served during the time of the Vietnam war but didn't set foot in the country of Vietnam. The Vietnam vet is one who was assigned within the combat zone of the country and it's surrounding waters.
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Do veterans get paid for life?

The SSA evaluates military records when claimants apply for benefits, and qualifying veterans can get a lifetime earnings credit for wages during service. Eligibility is based on length of service.
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How long do you have to be in the military to be considered a veteran?

To be considered a veteran, any military personnel must be on active-duty service for at least 180 days. The only exception is if the member sustained a service-related injury and was discharged under honorable conditions.
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What benefits do veterans get with an honorable discharge?

Accordingly, veterans with an Honorable Discharge are entitled to all VA benefits, including applicable disability compensation, educational, healthcare, and vocational benefits.
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Does military retirement pay ever end?

Military retired pay stops upon death of the retiree! The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) allows a retiree to ensure, after death, a continuous lifetime annuity for their dependents.
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Can I transfer my military service count toward federal retirement?

Unfortunately, federal law prohibits counting your military time toward both an active-duty retirement pension and a FERS retirement pension.
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Why do I need my dd214 for Social Security?

You must bring your DD-214 to the Social Security Office and you must ask for this benefit to receive it! 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 between January 1957 to December 31, 2001.
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Are you a veteran after 2 years?

2 years of active duty service before being honorably discharged (for Montgomery GI Bill- Active Duty)
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What are the 5 types of veterans?

Under VEVRAA, a veteran may be classified as a ''disabled veteran,'' ''recently separated veteran,'' ''active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran,'' or ''Armed Forces service medal veteran. ''
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Who qualifies for a military pension?

You're at least 65 years old, or. You have a permanent and total disability, or. You're a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or. You're getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.
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What is the VA 10 year rule?

The VA 10 year rule means the VA cannot eliminate a rating that's been in place for 10 years or more. The rating can still be reduced (not eliminated) if medical evidence shows that the disability has improved.
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Do veterans get free healthcare for life?

You can get free VA health care for any illness or injury that we determine is related to your military service (called “service connected”). We also provide certain other services for free.
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What is the average military pension after 20 years?

Defined Benefit: Monthly retired pay for life after at least 20 years of service (so if you retire at 20 years of service, you will get 40% of your highest 36 months of base pay).
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What benefits do Vietnam-era veterans receive?

VA Benefits

Vietnam Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial.
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Who gets the Vietnam Service Medal?

United States serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or airspace thereover, after July 3, 1965 through March 28, 1973. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or the airspace thereover, during the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also ...
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