Table of Contents
- Can I get military retirement pay and Social Security?
- Do I get extra Social Security for military service?
- If You Served Between 1940 and 1956
- If You Served Between 1956 and 1978
- If You Served Between 1978 and 2001
- How to Apply for Social Security Benefits
- When Should You Apply for Social Security Benefits?
- Delaying Social Security Benefits can Result in Higher Payments
- How much do you lose taking Social Security early?
- Tips to Increase Your Social Security Benefits
- Tip #1: Your Retirement Age Affects Your Benefits
- Tip #2: Working While Receiving Benefits Can Impact Your Income
- Tip #3: Your Social Security Benefit May Be Taxable
- Tip #4: Pay Attention to Social Security Statements
- Tip #5: Social Security Benefits May Increase to Keep Up With Inflation
- Tip #6: Avoid Garnishments That Reduce Your Benefits.
- Use this Information to Assist Your Retirement Planning
The transition to civilian life has many financial planning milestones—one of the most vital involves understanding how military service influences Social Security benefits. The intersection of military benefits and Social Security might seem complex, but understanding it can help ensure you retire with enough money to live comfortably.
In this article, we’ll cover how military service and military retirement pay affect Social Security, along with 6 tips you can use to increase your Social Security benefits.
We also have a detailed page that explains Social Security benefits for veterans with disabilities.
Can I get military retirement pay and Social Security?
Yes, servicemembers can receive both military retirement and Social Security benefits without reducing their Social Security pay.
Just like civilian employees, military members pay Social Security taxes on their earnings, meaning they contribute to the Social Security system and are eligible for Social Security benefits upon reaching retirement age.
Furthermore, veterans who served during certain years are eligible for extra Social Security benefits.
Do I get extra Social Security for military service?
Yes, you are eligible for additional Social Security credits if you served in the military between 1940 and 2001. Military service after 2001 is not eligible for these extra Social Security credits.
A Social Security credit is a basic unit used to calculate eligibility for Social Security benefits. These credits are essentially how the Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps track of how long you’ve worked and contributed to the Social Security system through payroll taxes. You earn these credits based on your yearly work income, and the more credits you’ve earned and the longer you’ve worked, the higher your benefit amount will be.
The credits you earn for military service are factored into your lifetime earnings and used to calculate your Social Security Benefits. How much this impacts your Social Security pay depends on when you served and for how long.
If You Served Between 1940 and 1956
Before 1956, Social Security taxes weren’t automatically taken out of military paychecks.
However, the government worked out a plan that would credit you with earnings of $160 for each month you served during those years as long as you met at least one of the following requirements:
- You were honorably discharged after serving a minimum of 90 days.
- You were injured or disabled in the line of duty and released.
- You’re still active duty.
- You’re a surviving spouse whose veteran spouse passed during active duty.
If you served during this time period, the extra credits will be added to your record when you apply for Social Security. The only caveat, you can’t receive credit if you already receive a federal benefit based on the same year(s) of service.
You can contact your local Social Security office for additional details and guidance.
If You Served Between 1956 and 1978
Servicemembers who were on active duty between 1956 and 1978 are also eligible for a Social Security benefit. This group qualifies for $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which they received basic active duty pay.
If you served any time before 1968, your credits get added to your account when you apply for Social Security.
If You Served Between 1978 and 2001
If you served on active duty between 1978 and 2001, for every $300 in active duty basic pay, you get an additional $100 in earnings credited up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.
Your service should already be accounted for when you apply for Social Security if you served any time after 1968. However, you should be prepared to verify this information, which is one more reason why your DD Form 214 (military service record) is so important!
How to Apply for Social Security Benefits
Servicemembers can apply for Social Security benefits online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm Monday through Friday, or by visiting your local Social Security office.
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When Should You Apply for Social Security Benefits?
Many people take Social Security benefits as soon as they are eligible to begin receiving them, which for most Americans is age 62. But just because you’re eligible to start receiving Social Security benefits doesn’t mean you should take them immediately.
Here are a few things to consider regarding Social Security benefit timing.
Delaying Social Security Benefits can Result in Higher Payments
In general, you can begin receiving Social Security Benefits at age 62, but in many cases, it’s worth delaying your start date if possible.
This is because the SSA reduces payments for those who begin receiving benefits before reaching their full retirement age (FRA). The FRA is the age at which beneficiaries can receive full Social Security Benefits, which, until 2002, was age 65 for everyone. The reduction helps incentivize people to wait longer to accept benefits so the system remains financially balanced.
The table below shows your FRA based on the year you were born.
| If You Were Born In: | Your Full Retirement Age (FRA) Is: |
|---|---|
| 1937 or earlier | 65 years of age |
| 1938 | 65 and 2 months |
| 1939 | 65 and 4 months |
| 1940 | 65 and 6 months |
| 1941 | 65 and 8 months |
| 1942 | 65 and 10 months |
| 1943 to 1954 | 66 years of age |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 years of age |
If you accept your benefits after reaching your FRA, you’ll get the full amount due to you with no reduction.
How much do you lose taking Social Security early?
When you take Social Security benefits early, the amount you receive each month is reduced based on how many months before FRA you start collecting benefits. These reductions affect your benefits for the rest of your life.
Your total Social Security amount is reduced by 0.55% for every month you are under your FRA, up to 36 months. If you start taking benefits more than 36 months before retirement age, your benefits will be further reduced by 0.42% a month.
Let’s look at the reduction formula with an example:
Say your FRA is 66. Your Social Security benefits will decrease by about 6.67% per year (or about 0.56% per month) for the first three years early that you claim. If you claim more than three years early, the reduction increases to about 5% per year (or about 0.42% per month) for each additional year.
Here’s another way of viewing it:
If your FRA is at 67 and you start claiming Social Security benefits at age 62, you face a permanent reduction of about 30%.
If your FRA is 66, and you claim at age 62, you face a permanent reduction of 25%.
It’s important to note if you accept Social Security benefits before reaching FRA, your reduction in benefits will be permanent.
Tips to Increase Your Social Security Benefits
The Social Security System greatly benefits taxpayers who paid into the system over the years.
Unfortunately, it can be confusing if you haven’t had time to research available Social Security Benefits and the situations that may entitle you to additional benefits. Failure to understand this system could cost you money at a time when you can least afford the loss and when you should be enjoying your retirement.
Below are tips to increase your Social Security benefits and ease your retirement years.
Tip #1: Your Retirement Age Affects Your Benefits
As mentioned above, you can earn less than or equal to the normal Social Security Benefit for your lifetime earnings, depending on when you begin taking Social Security payments. But you should also know that you can even get additional Social Security credits by delaying the start date of your benefits after your FRA.
The SSA offers delayed retirement credits, which reward people who collect Social Security late. For each year you delay past your FRA, up to age 70, your Social Security retirement benefits increase due to delayed retirement credits.
Delayed retirement credits accrue monthly and increase your benefits by a certain percentage, depending on your year of birth. For those born in 1943 or later, the increase is 8% yearly or about 0.67% monthly. These credits can be accumulated until you reach age 70, after which there is no additional benefit increase for delaying.
For example, if your FRA is 67 and you delay claiming until age 70, your Social Security benefits would increase by 24% over what you would have received at age 67.
Tip #2: Working While Receiving Benefits Can Impact Your Income
If you collect Social Security while still working, your benefits can also be temporarily reduced.
Here’s how it works:
- Before You Reach FRA: If you are under your full retirement age for the entire year, there is an earnings limit that, when exceeded, Social Security starts withholding benefits. For 2024, this limit is $22,320, but this will likely not be the limit for the upcoming years. However, the general rule is that Social Security withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above this limit.
- Year You Reach FRA: The year you reach FRA, your earnings limit increases, and the amount withheld changes. For 2024, the limit is $59,520, and Social Security withholds $1 in benefits for every $3 earned over the limit until the month you reach your FRA.
- After Reaching FRA: Once you reach your FRA, regardless of how much you earn in any of the following years, your Social Security benefits will not be reduced.
It’s important to note that any benefits withheld due to exceeding the earnings limit are not “lost.” Once you reach FRA, your monthly benefit amount will be increased to account for months when your benefits were withheld due to excess earnings.
Furthermore, additional earnings can also increase your overall benefit amount, as Social Security benefits are calculated based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If your earnings in later years are higher than any previous years used to calculate your benefit, your benefit will be recalculated and could increase.
Tip #3: Your Social Security Benefit May Be Taxable
The government establishes income thresholds to determine who pays taxes on benefits and who doesn’t.
If half of your Social Security income and your other forms of income (such as investment earnings, pension payments, tax-exempt interest, and other wages) surpass the threshold, you may find yourself owing taxes on benefits.
| Social Security Tax Limit | |
| Single Filing | If your income is between $25,000 and $34,000, up to 50% is taxable. If your income exceeds $34,000, up to 85% is taxable. |
| Married, Filing Jointly | If your combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000, up to 50% is taxable. If your combined income exceeds $44,000, up to 85% is taxable. |
| Married, Filing Separately | If you file separately but lived with your spouse at any point during the year, 85% of your benefits will likely be taxable. If you file separately and lived separately from your spouse for the entire year, the Single Filing applies to your income and tax limits. |
Tip #4: Pay Attention to Social Security Statements
Over the years, you have probably noticed an annual Social Security statement arriving in your mailbox. However, the Social Security Administration no longer mails these statements without filling out and mailing a request form. This typically has a four to six week turn around. However, you can register for a free online account at SSA.gov, where you can immediately view your annual earnings statement and projected Social Security Benefits when you reach retirement age.
It is important to pay attention to the information contained in this statement. Carefully review your statement each year to ensure your earnings are correctly reported. This history of your earnings plays a vital role in determining your Social Security benefits.
If you notice errors in the statement, it is your responsibility to report these mistakes. Correcting an error in your lifetime earnings could significantly increase benefits.
Tip #5: Social Security Benefits May Increase to Keep Up With Inflation
The government applies an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to Social Security Benefits each year. The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index or CPI. The increases depend on changes in the cost of living over the course of the previous four quarters.
Tip #6: Avoid Garnishments That Reduce Your Benefits.
Generally, Social Security benefits are protected from most debt collection actions. This is not the case with back taxes, outstanding federal student loans, child support, and alimony. If you have any of these debts lurking in your past, take the necessary steps to satisfy your debt obligations to protect your benefits from garnishments.
When you understand how your benefits work and what you can do to increase your Social Security paycheck, you create financial and personal peace in your later years. For many retirees, this paycheck may be the only income they will receive during their retirement years. Whether Social Security is your only source of income or a supplement to other sources of income, you must fully receive the benefits to which you are entitled.
Use this Information to Assist Your Retirement Planning
If you are unsure where you stand with your benefit amounts, you can contact the Social Security Administration to request a copy of a current benefits statement. Your individualized statement will include payouts for benefits taken at age 62, at your FRA, and at age 70. Statements are also readily available on the SSA.gov website.
You’ll need to assess your financial situation to determine your need and time frame for accessing benefits. If you have the means to support yourself, you may find it beneficial to wait as long as you can before requesting benefits.
If you cannot live without the additional funds before reaching your full retirement age, you should consider taking the reduced benefit payments to stay on track financially. The decision should be carefully based on your needs, your spouse’s age, and even your life expectancy based on your present medical situation and family history.
When you come of age to start drawing Social Security, you will not only receive your full Social Security benefits but also added benefits for serving in the military if you served in the years mentioned above. Remember to verify you are receiving this additional benefit when applying. You should also double-check for this benefit when applying for Social Security survivor benefits to ensure survivors receive additional military service credits.
Taking your Social Security and military retirement pay into account with your other investments, such as the Thrift Savings Plan or a Roth IRA, can help you secure your finances and afford a comfortable retirement.
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Bob Williams says
Great article. I’m trying to verify my special credits were added. Do you have an example of what the earnings page would look like to show they were automatically added? I would think the column for Social Security Earnings would differ from the column Medicare earnings. Am I right about that? I’m about to start drawing and want to make sure I get all the benefits coming.
Thx,
Bob
Ryan Guina says
Hello Bob,
I don’t have an example. The only way to know for certain is to contact the Social Security Administration.
Best wishes!
Kevin T. Hawkins says
Hi, is the amount I see in my social security statement include my military service as the total amount with my service, or will I receive an extra amount be added when I apply for social security? I served from 1975 to 1999
Thank you
Kevin T. Hawkins
MSgt USMC (Ret.)
Robert Sullivan says
I was in the U.S.Army from 1955 until 1959 am I eligible for a small raise on my social security?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Robert, Yes, I believe you are, based on the information provided by the Social Security Administration. You will need to contact the SSA office for more information and you may be required to provide proof of service. Best wishes!
Kenneth (Dale) Howard says
US NAVY Buddy We went through boot together. He was discharged after a few months From PTSD (medical). He was on a ship during a hurricane and another buddy was washed overboard (and lost at sea) 1959- 1960. After my separation in 1963, we reconnected. He was married, with children. He needed help with driving violations fines. I had no money give (taking care of my family needs). Fast forward to the 1990s, he locates me and needs help. I help but it was short-lived. He committed suicide & I felt that he never recovered from PTSD. My question: is it possible the VA would help is Widow (I believe they were divorced)? I have not been in contact with her (it ways on my mind that I hope she is receiving care from VA).
Ryan Guina says
Hello Kenneth,
I’m sorry to hear about this situation.
There may be certain benefits available to widows of veterans, depending on the situation. The widow would need to visit the VA for a benefits analysis to see if she is eligible for any benefits. I am not certain if there are any benefits for former spouses after a divorce. Again, the VA would be the best place to start.
I wish you and your family the best.
Marie Wurch says
My husband who was born in Canada, his parents then moved family to CA when he was a teenager. He was drafted into the Army in 1966 served 2 years got out and now he is 74 and went to get replacement Social Security Card and was told he is not a U.S. Citizen. His DD214 is marked that he is and he was told that the Army had no right to do that. Needless to say this causes more problems than we can deal with. Any help or assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Ryan Guina says
Hello Marie, This is outside of my area of expertise. You will want to work with the Social Security Administration or immigration department for more information. You may also consider contacting an immigration lawyer to see if they can help you. Best wishes.
Jay says
Ryan, great article, thank you.
Nagging question from a conversation with a group of guys last night. I’ve just been Googling around trying to find an answer to my Q and came across your article. Wondered if you wouldn’t mind commenting.
Background: Friend’s elderly Mom is a foreigner, dual USA citizenship, lived in the US for many years. Her American husband retired US Military (pre and post Vietnam era), receiving military retirement, SS benefits later on, and a small, private pension from Pratt and Whitney. They eventually left the US, retired overseas in her country of origin, where he passed away some years later.
When he died, friend said his Mom had to choose which survivor benefit to receive. Made it sound like the choice was between military survivor benefit or SSA, which she qualified under his account/earnings. But couldn’t receive both.
I’d never heard of that. Some kind of a windfall provision or something? No action related to this, just my curiosity. Thanks.
Ryan Guina says
Hello Jay, I haven’t heard of this before, but I admit I’m not an expert when it comes to Social Security Benefits. I have researched a bit here and there, and have foundational knowledge, but I’m not at the expert level. This is a question for someone at the SSA or at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which is the organization that runs military pay and military retiree pay. Sorry I don’t have a better answer for you!
Jay says
No problem, thanks for reading through it. Cheers, J.
John says
Hello Ryan,
I am retired military and I also receive 50% VA disability. Will I be able to draw social security retirement also?
Ryan Guina says
Hello John, yes you will be able to draw Social Security pay as well. Drawing military retirement pay and/or VA disability compensation should not impact your ability to draw Social Security benefits in retirement. Best wishes!
Scott martin says
Hey just got a letter from social security saying that the declared since my bladder cancer was removed I’m loosing my benefits. But the cancer was just one of 3 disability I filled for the Ptsd being the main one keeping me from working. I am 90% threw VA being paid at 100% unemployable. Due to my service connection I’m not understanding how they say I am able to work when I can’t leave the house without my Ptsd causes problems. My only option I have now is to have it reviewed. Is there any advice or other options you can help me with? So since I can’t work because VA has me as unemployable what options does that leave me with. Stressing out right now.
Ryan Guina says
Hello Scott, This is outside my area of expertise. Social Security Disability Benefits can be a complicated topic and each situation is unique and has to be addressed on a case by case basis. I’m not qualified to do this. I recommend contacting the Social Security Administration for assistance. I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
Mike Traman says
I am thinking of retiring at 62. Served 1972-1978. Can I get VA healthcare until Medicaid kicks in at 65?
Ryan Guina says
Mike, I can’t tell you whether or not you qualify for VA healthcare based on an email. Each situation is unique and eligibility can be based on many factors (when and where you served, whether or not you were in a named war or conflict, whether or not you have a service-connected disability rating, your income, and other factors). You will need to contact the VA for more specific information. I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!
mike mann says
Hello, my brother was in the military for 30 years and is collecting retirement pay. He started his military service around 1978. He will be turning 57 this year. When is the earliest(age) he can collect social security benefits? I thought he might collect in lieu of social security soon.
thank you
Gary Trowbridge says
I am a veteran from 1954 to 1958, I see where I may be able to get extra money for being in the service during that time, on my SS each month, can anyone tell about this?
Daniel K. says
You should qualify for the credits, at least the 57 thru 58 years. You will need to contact the SS office and provide your DD-214. Below is the link to the SS web site documents that explains this credit benefit. But contacting the SS admin with your DD-214 is best way to get this resolved and get the benefit if qualified. Sounds like you are with those years of service, but they will not automatically give it to you for those years served. You must apply for it. May be retroactive to if it was never started when you started SS benefits. Here ya go. Good luck to you:
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10017.pdf
Here is a paragraph from this SS document link:
“If you served in the military after 1956, you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the armed forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.
Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for periods of active duty from 1957 through 2001 can also be credited to your Social Security earnings record.
From 1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security benefits.”
Richard Valdez says
When filing for social security how does your DD214 come in play?
Malcolm R. Lee says
Hey Ryan, I served in the Navy (Silent Service) from 12/70 to 2/75. I have worked, and paid taxes. In 2012; I had blood in my urine, and the VA Hosp considered it an infection. In 2013; The bleeding started back, and the results showed, I had bladder cancer. I was unable to work, and SS didn’t consider it a disability. However; the VA considered it TPD. I have completed numerous exploritories, two major operations with chemo, and my resistance was so low that, I contracted infections in both legs resulting in mercer. Three operations in nine days. I tell you these things in order to set my question. I recieve a non-military related pension. If I draw my social security, will either of these small incomes be effected? With both; I would still fall under the poverty line. Do yu have an answer, and if not, where can I find the answer. I plan on drawing my SS, next year at 66. Thank you, Malcolm R. Lee, Waynesville, NC
Shanna says
I have a relative that claims that her deceased boyfriend is providing her and her son $8,000.00 a month on Social Security. Here are some interesting facts. They were never married. Her child is the result of a one night stand. The deceased father’s name has never been on the child’s birth certificate. He was in the military for a short time, estimated a few years, most likely after 2001. The deceased was 32 years old in 2013 when he died. My relative is claiming she is receiving so much money because of the fact that the deceased was in the military and that the payments will also further after the child is 18 onto a full ride to fund college for the child. Non of this makes any sense from what I have learned from reading about Social Security Benefits and Military. Can someone please verify if any of this is possible? Thank you.
Ryan Guina says
Hello Shanna, I haven’t heard of anything like this before. And $8,000 a month for Social Security Survivor Benefits seems very high. Here is the SSA website for Survivors Benefits. Also, most military members don’t earn $8,000 per month when they are on active duty (especially if they are only age 32). I don’t see how this is possible.
Steve Pace says
I looked at my Social Security statement last month. I do not draw Social Security yet. However, I noticed that they did not list any of my retired military pay as income, only pay from active duty and my civilian jobs. Taxes (Federal and State), Social Security, and Medicare are deducted from my retired pay identifying this as source of income. Why is Social Security not counting my retired pay as income? Is this normal for all retirees?
Ryan Guina says
Steve, Thank you for contacting me. Here is a quote from the Army, regarding retirement pay:
“For Social Security tax purposes, military retirement pay is not considered earned income and no Social Security payroll taxes (also known as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes) are withheld from military retirement pay.”
I think this answers your question.
Jim Grasso says
Thanks I had heard something different. I feel easier now
Terry J Lirette says
I am 71 years old and started with SS at age 64 due to my wife’s health. I served in the Navy for five years and in the reserves for five years from 1957 to 1867.
I do not know if that was factored in, I called, left a message, no call back.
Bummer!
Paul Moeseenko says
Hi Ryan,
I just wanted to comment on your article regarding receiving military credits and how they affect ones social security benefits. Specifically, the following statement:
“These extra credits are converted into money that you’ll receive in addition to your standard Social Security benefits”.
This is misleading, if not totally wrong. The extra credits are not money amounts that one will receive “in addition to your standard Social Security benefits”.
The following is a statement directly from the social security website:
“NOTE: In all cases, the additional earnings are credited to the earnings that we average over your working lifetime, not directly to your monthly benefit amount.”
Since the monthly benefit amount is an average of the highest 35 years of income, the additional military credit will generally amount to practically nothing.
Regards,
Paul
Ryan Guina says
Thank you for the correction, Paul. The article has been updated.