Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 02/17/2003

Dear St Shaft:
How about an article on Social Security and the military. I talk to many veterans who are not aware that when they apply for Social Security to bring copies of any DD 214s for active service and any documentation to support proof of service in the reserve components since 1988. Depending on the time of service and status, veterans are eligible for special social security credit above what is on their Social Security Statement. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) not ask and the veteran does not bring in military documents, benefits can be lost. This can also affect benefits who receive survivors Social Security. Survivors also need to know about these additional potential benefits.

Thanks. Mark H. Olanoff
Assistant Director, Legislative Commission
The American Legion

Dear Mark
Some highlights of SSA Publication No. 05-10017 Military Service And Social are:

• “The earnings for active duty military service or active duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. Social Security has covered inactive duty service in the armed forces reserves (such as weekend drills) since 1988. However, people who served in the military before 1957 did not pay into Social Security directly, but their records are credited with special earnings for Social Security purposes that count toward any benefits that might be due them. Additional earnings credits are given to military personnel depending on when they served. This fact sheet explains how and when these special earnings are credited and provides other information military personnel need to know about the benefits available from Social Security. 
• Social Security And Medicare Taxes
• While you're in military service (from 1957 on), you pay Social Security taxes like civilian employees do. Those taxes are deducted from your pay and the U.S. government as your employer pays an equal amount. to pay for Social Security and Medicare benefits.
• How You Earn "Credits"
• To qualify for benefits, you earn "credits" through your work--up to four each year. This year, for example, you earn one credit for each $890 of wages. When you've earned $3,560, you've earned four credits for the year. Under certain circumstances, special earnings can be credited to your military pay record for Social Security purposes. The extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. These extra earnings may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit. (No additional earnings are granted for inactive duty training, and Social Security cannot add extra earnings credits to your earnings record until you file for Social Security benefits.)
• Additional earnings are granted for: Service In 1978 And Later 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 Sept. 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.
• 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 1940 Through 1956
  • If you were in the military during this period, including attendance at a service academy, you did not pay Social Security taxes. However, your Social Security record may be credited with $160 a month in earnings for military service from Sept. 16, 1940, through Dec. 31, 1956, under the following circumstances: * you were honorably discharged after 90 or more days of service, or you were released because of a disability or injury received in the line of duty; or * you are still on active duty; or * you are applying for survivors benefits and the veteran died while on active duty. You cannot receive these special earnings credits if you're receiving a federal benefit based on the same years of service. There is one exception to this rule: if you were on active duty after 1956, you can still get the special earnings for 1951 through 1956, even if you're receiving a military retirement based on service during that period. 

Dear St Shaft
The Third Marine Division Association will hold its 49th Annual Family Reunion, August 13-17, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel. 

Anyone who served in, was attached to, or served in support of the Third Marine Division at any time since it was formed on September 16, 1942, is eligible and cordially invited to attend.

For membership and reunion information, contact me at 7622 Highland Street, Springfield, Virginia 22150-3931, or call (703) 451-3844.

Semper Fi!
Sgt. Major Bill Krueger, Retired,
Springfield, Virginia

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
A dear friend of mine, Robert M. Calvin recently passed away at the age of 75.

Robert was a highway safety expert and author, and served in the Marine Corps in the Pacific in World War II. He coached football and taught high school driver education. He was the author of a widely used driver education textbook. He came to Washington in 1972 to manage highway safety programs for the American Highway Users Alliance. Working through the affiliated Automotive Safety Foundation (now the Roadway Safety Foundation), he directed several traffic safety education programs to reduce the number of highway fatalities and injuries until his retirement in 1996.

Jerry B.
Washington DC

Dear Jerry,
Thanks for remembering your buddy.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

BAVF Home | Who We Are | Sgt. Shaft | Flag Week | Links | Financials | Search | Contact BAVF

BAVF - P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900

Copyright BAVF 2003