-- Extra SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT for those with active duty 1957-2001
Gather up your DD 214 and head for the Social Security Office.
DD FORM 214 - Extra SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT for those with active duty active duty between January 1957 to December 31, 2001

DD FORM 214 - SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT Please share this with anyone  who's had active duty service between January 1957 to December 31, 2001  and planning for retirement. In a nutshell it boils down to this:

You qualify for a higher social security payment because of your Military service, for active duty any time from 1957 through 2001 (the program was done away with 1 January 2002).
Up to $1200 per year of earnings credit credited at time of application - which can make a substantial difference in social security monthly payments upon your retirement. You must bring your DD-214 to the Social Security Office and you must ask for this benefit to receive it!

Soc Sec website: http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm

This is something to put in your files for when you apply for Social Security down the road. It is NOT just for retirees, BUT anyone who has served on active duty between January 1957 to December 31, 2001.

FYI - this benefit is not automatic, you must ask for it!
The source for the text below is: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/military.htm


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, we 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

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