Posted by John_NorCal on 1/30/07 8:41am
Msg #173267

OT Special Social Security benefit for veterans

Just want to pass on this information for any vets out there who are close to or have started receiving social security benefits.

Special Military Social Security Rate

When a veteran applies for Social Security benefits, they should take their DD-214 with them. Social Security then computes the extra benefit and it is added to the monthly payments. In many cases, the Social Security office asks for a DD-214 and this benefit is computed automatically. But, not always. If you are a veteran who is collecting Social Security and you're not sure whether you are receiving this benefit, call your local Social Security office and ask them to check your account. If you are not getting the benefit, take your DD-214 to your local Social Security office and apply. They will compute your new benefit and you will receive a larger monthly check plus retroactive benefits computed from the time you started collecting Social Security. Remember, military retirees and government retirees who use military time to compute "time in service" do not qualify for this benefit. For more information, visit http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm.

Here's the link again in case the one above doesn't work.
http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm

Reply by DebbieT on 1/30/07 9:03am
Msg #173270

Thank you so much for the information. My father qualifies for this. He has been collecting S.S. for some time now and struggles month to month. He did not know anything like this was also available. Every little bit helps. He says is going as soon as he can. Thanks again!.

Reply by LarryTN on 1/30/07 9:41am
Msg #173277

Thanks for this info! I will qualify next year for SS and I have a few friends who may already qualify! Isn't it odd that retirees probably don't know about this?

Reply by Mindy_WA on 1/30/07 5:15pm
Msg #173329

Thanks! I let Dad know. He didn't know if he was getting this or not, but was happy to check into it.