Social Security Pay Bump for Active Duty Time
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, the Social Security
Administration 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.
Note: In January 2002, the
Defense Appropriations Act (Public Law 107-117), stopped the
special extra earnings that had been credited to military
service personnel. Military service in calendar year 2002
and following years no longer qualifies for these special
extra earnings credits
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.
Yours in service,
Chuck Weber