Some interesting Statistics about veterans and Social Security.
One quarter of Adult Social
Security beneficiaries are Veterans. Of the total population of adult Social Security beneficiaries 40% are made up
of veterans and their families. Since 1957 military personnel have been covered under Social Security.
How
are Social Security work credits handled for veterans?
If a veteran served in 2001 or earlier their earnings
receive special credits for purpose of computing Social Security benefits. Credits equal $300 for each quarter of active
duty pay for those who served between 1957 and 1977. If you served between 1978 and 2001 you receive credits equal
to an additional $100 in earnings for each $300 you received in active duty pay ( total credits may not exceed $1,200 a year). Starting
in 2002 credits are not supplemented.
For those veterans who served before the military was included
under the Social Security system in 1957 Congress has provided credits for those on active duty from September 1940 to 1956.
These veterans are credited with $160 of earnings for purpose of computing Social Security benefits.
Special
Veterans Benefits for certain World War II Vets.
Special Veterans Benefits (SVB) are benefits funded by the Federal Government and are administered
by the Social Security Administration. Under the SVB program, special benefits are paid to certain veterans of World War II
who reside outside the United States.
SVB is authorized by Title VIII (Special Benefits for
Certain World War II Veterans) of the Social Security Act.
SVB is not the same as Supplemental Security
Income (SSI). It is a separate benefit program and is financed from the general funds of the United States Treasury.
Can you get both Social Security Benefits and Military Retirement?
Yes, and generally there
is no reduction in your Social Security Benefits due to your Military Retirement. In other words you get full
Social Security benefits based on your earnings. If you have health care benefits from the Department of Veteran's
Affairs your health care benefits may end or change when you become eligible for Medicare.
Is proving
I am disabled for Social Security Disability or SSI different for veterans?
No, the definition of disability,
proof required, and eligibility is the same as every other claim for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits.
The only difference for veterans is the way work credits are calculated as explained above. To find out how Social Security
determines if you are disabled and for tips on how to win a Social Security Disability claim explore this site.
Can you get Social Security
Disability benefits and VA compensation benefits?
Yes, you can receive both SSDI benefits and
VA compensation benefits at the same time. However, VA pension and SSI (supplemental security income) are different
and are needs based programs, so Social Security will count VA pension when calculating SSI. Social Security Disability
benefits may also reduce or eliminate VA pension amounts. This is a quick review of these programs and if you are
not sure what benefits you have it can be quite confusing. If you are a veteran and getting or applying for VA
pension or SSI than you should speak to a lawyer to fully explain how they may be affected by other benefits.
