How You Get Credit For Special Extra Earnings
The information that follows applies only
to active duty military service earnings from 1940 through
2001. Here's how the special extra earnings are credited:
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.
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 September 16, 1940, through
December 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 credit for these special extra
earnings if you are already receiving a federal benefit based on the same
years of service. There is one exception: If you were on active duty | 
www.socialsecurity.gov
If
you tabbed to this link, use the right arrow to jump past the list of
question categories.
