Freedom Is Not Free - Korean War Veterans Association
Freedom Is Not Free - Korean War Veterans Association
Freedom Is Not Free - Korean War Veterans Association
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News<br />
Vets Can Use<br />
NOTE: We make every effort possible to verify the accuracy of<br />
the information in this section. Generally, if there is any doubt about<br />
its accuracy we do not print it. Whenever possible, we print the<br />
source at the end of each entry to allow readers to follow up on the<br />
information.<br />
Special Military Social Security Rate<br />
When a veteran applies for Social Security benefits, they should<br />
take their DD-214 with them. Social Security then computes the<br />
extra benefit and it is added to the monthly payments. In many<br />
cases, the Social Security office asks for a DD-214 and this benefit<br />
is computed automatically. But, not always.<br />
If you are a veteran who is collecting Social Security, and you’re<br />
not sure whether you are receiving this benefit, call your local Social<br />
Security office and ask them to check your account. If you are not<br />
getting the benefit, take your DD-214 to your local Social Security<br />
office and apply. They will compute your new benefit and you will<br />
receive a larger monthly check plus retroactive benefits computed<br />
from the time you started collecting Social Security.<br />
Remember, military retirees and government retirees who use military<br />
time to compute “time in service” do not qualify for this benefit.<br />
For more information, visit http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/<br />
military.htm. (Here is what you will find.)<br />
SPECIAL EXTRA EARNINGS<br />
FOR MILITARY SERVICE<br />
Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military<br />
service from 1940 through 2001 can be credited to your record<br />
for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings may help you<br />
qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social<br />
Security benefit.<br />
Special extra earnings are granted for periods of active duty or<br />
active duty for training. Special extra earnings are not granted for<br />
inactive duty training.<br />
<strong>Not</strong>e: Social Security cannot add these extra earnings to your<br />
record until you file for Social Security benefits.<br />
How Yon Get Credit For Special Extra Earnings<br />
The information that follows applies only to active duty military<br />
service earnings from 1940 through 2001. Here’s how the special<br />
extra earnings are credited:<br />
Service In 1978 through 2001<br />
For every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with an<br />
additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year. If<br />
you enlisted after September 7, 1980, and didn’t complete at least<br />
24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to<br />
receive the additional earnings. Check with Social Security for<br />
details.<br />
Service In 1957 Through 1977<br />
You are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar<br />
quarter in which you received active duty basic pay.<br />
Service In 1940 Through 1956<br />
If you were in the military during this period, including attendance<br />
at a service academy, you did not pay Social Security taxes.<br />
However, your Social Security record may be credited with $160 a<br />
month in earnings for military service from September 16, 1940,<br />
through December 31, 1956, under the following circumstances:<br />
You were honorably discharged after 90 or more days of service,<br />
or you were released because of a disability or injury received in the<br />
line of duty; or<br />
You are still on active duty; or<br />
You are applying for survivors benefits and the veteran died while<br />
on active duty.<br />
You cannot receive credit for these special extra earnings if you are<br />
already receiving a federal benefit based on the same years of service.<br />
There is one exception: If you were on active duty after 1956,<br />
you can still get the special earnings for 1951 through 1956, even if<br />
you’re receiving a military retirement based on service during that<br />
period.<br />
<strong>Not</strong>e: Change in special military service credits.<br />
In January 2002, Public Law 107-117, the Defense Appropriations<br />
Act, stopped the special extra earnings that have been credited to<br />
military service personnel. Military service in calendar year 2002<br />
and future years no longer qualifies for these special extra earnings.<br />
Source: Social Security Administration Website<br />
Federal Benefits Reference Available Online<br />
The 2007 edition of the Federal Benefits for <strong>Veterans</strong> and<br />
Dependents is now online. This annually updated desk reference<br />
covering federal benefits programs for veterans and their families is<br />
available at http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/index.asp and<br />
http://www1.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp.<br />
Source: Kevin Secor, <strong>Veterans</strong> Service Organizations Liaison,<br />
Office of the Secretary of <strong>Veterans</strong> Affairs, Washington, DC, (202)<br />
273-4836<br />
Have a Mini-Reunion?<br />
Send your photos and a short write-up to The<br />
Graybeards editor for publication!<br />
Mail to Art Sharp, Editor, <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong><br />
<strong>Veterans</strong> <strong>Association</strong>, 152 Sky View Drive.,<br />
Rocky Hill, CT 06067<br />
57<br />
The Graybeards March – April 2007
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