Ssd- Are You Getting The Correct Amount?

[HadIter]

This is my second post, the first one was never posted for some reason unless there is a 24 hour delay or something.

Long story short...if a person only worked 6 months in their entire life (enlisted in military at 17 and got messed up in the war), SSD says they are not penalized for having such a short work period.... face it! The employer(DoD) only paid 6 months of the social security tax for them.

But SSD says military has a 'special' credit...meaning dollar for dollar earned- they compensate for such a short work life.

This disabled veteran receives 30% less than the average paid SSD benefit. SSD also does a special thing for those who become disabled so young....

how can a disabled vet ensure they are really receiving the military credit? When SSD is called, a quick "yes, you are" is given. But that benefit was based off a worksheet - which doesn't follow the electronic file. When the worker did the worksheet, they may have not been aware of 'military' credits.

How can a vet really find out?

[free_spirit_etc]

http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm

Special Extra Earnings for Military Service

Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), 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 your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.

Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. Special extra earnings credits are not granted for inactive duty training.

If your active military service occurred

* From 1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security benefits.

* From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record.

* After 2001, there are no special extra earnings credits for military service.

How You Get Credit For Special Extra Earnings

The information that follows applies only to active duty military service earnings from 1957 through 2001. Here's how the special extra earnings are credited on your record:

Service in 1957 Through 1977

You are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay.

Service in 1978 through 2001

For every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year. If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, and didn't complete at least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to receive the additional earnings. Check with Social Security for details.

Edited December 16, 2009 by free_spirit_etc