Military Service and Social Security – How it works

Worried about how your military service affects your Social Security? You don’t have to, because the retirement income you’ve earned through military service won’t reduce your Social Security benefits. In fact, if you served on active duty between 1957 and 2001, you may even be credited for extra earnings on your Social Security record.

For Social Security purposes, active duty includes active duty, reserve duty and active duty for training (ACDUTRA), and includes your service in the:

  •         Army
  •         Navy
  •         Air Force
  •         Marines
  •         Coast Guard
  •         National Guard
  •         Public Health Service (service as a commissioned officer)

Although your benefits are not impacted by retirement income from the military, Social Security benefits for survivors may reduce the income beneficiaries receive through the Department of Defense Survivors Benefit Plan. Your military retirement advisor or the Department of Defense will be able to offer information specific to your situation.

Whenever you served, the American people thank you and wish you a happy retirement, complete with all the Social Security benefits to which you are entitled. Want assistance in understanding optimal options for maximizing your Social Security? Choose one of our plans and please use USA2017 to save $50 off any plan.

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