Getting Credit for Military Service
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) there are usually no restrictions on claiming both social security benefits and military service retirement benefits. You will get your full Social Security benefit based on your earnings.
You do not need to take any action before applying for your Social Security benefits. However, you may be asked to provide proof of military service at that time. Earnings for active military service or active duty training have been covered by Social Security since 1957. The SSA covers inactive duty in the armed forces reserves (such as weekend drills) since 1988.
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If you Served in the Military Before 1957
If you served in the military before 1957, you did not pay Social Security taxes, the SSA gave you special credit for some of your service. See the SSA publication located at www.ssa.gov/pubs/10017.html for details. |
About ksindell
Kathleen Sindell, Ph.D. is the author of numerous academic, popular, and professional finance articles, Web sites, proposals, and books. This includes the bestselling reference book, "Investing Online for Dummies, Eds 1-5" (listed for two consecutive years on the Wall Street Journal's Bestselling Business Book List). Her most recent book "Social Security: Maximize your Benefits" has been listed in Amazon's Top 100 Bestselling Retirement Planning Books. It is important to note that "Social Security: Maximize Your Benefits, 2nd Edition" was just released.
Sindell has an in-depth understanding of the financial services industry and has held Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses. Dr. Sindell is regularly tapped as a financial services expert on ABC World News, The Nightly Business Report, and at popular online and print outlets. Kathleen Sindell, Ph.D. is a member of the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association, National Capital Area (FPA NCA), is on the Editorial Advisory Panel of the Journal of Financial Planning, and is Co-Chair of the Metro Washington Financial Planning Day. Sindell is a Course Chair II, CFP Program Academic Officer, and adjunct full-professor at the University of Maryland, UMUC, School of Undergraduate Studies.
Contact Information: ksindell@kathleensindell.com or 703-299-1700
