Attention military veterans...

4

416rigby

New member
This was sent out through the chief's network today. Any extra money is good!

Rick


Please share this with anyone who's had active duty service prior to January
2002 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 1940 through 2001(the program was
done away with in 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 prior to January 2002.

FYI - this benefit is not automatic, you must ask for it!
 
I just sent that to my grand father who spent three years in ww2 and has three purple hearts. You did not always go home when wounded back then. Is it $1200 more a year for every year you where in?
 
Sweet! I'll be able to buy a handheld air pump for my boat fenders!

I fall in this group:
From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record.

Hope you can order on-line?
 
I don't have a DD214 and tried to get one years ago and gave up half way through the process. With this information perhaps I'll try again. I don't even remember them asking about military service when I applied for SS.
Thanks very good information
 
Marvin, getting a new DD214 on line is a little complicated but very possible.

Try this WEBSITE and follow the directions. Worked for me.

BTW, they DO ask about military service, I just went through the process. I don't this new info will help me but I'll look into it. I had service between 1964 and 1967 but that pittance I got then won't add much to my average lifetime earnings! The period 1968 through 2001 (my active service ended in 1991) was automatically added. Didn't make much difference though because I maxed out (paid the maximum SS payment) each one of those years.

Charlie
 
Thanks Charlie my service was from 67 to 73. It was 2002 when I applied for SS disability and I really don't remember if they asked about military service. I think I may be maxed out also but I really should get the DD 214

PS Had to go back and edit that I'm typing this from my boat at Southport Marina. What a beautiful day and nice marina.
 
I think there is a minimum years of service. I was in the Navy Reserve 2X6 program with only 2 years active duty 1963-65. As I remember I didn't qualify when I applied for SS. Was SS incorrect?
 
thanks for the info. i just ordered records from charlie's suggested web site. now that i'm a young 59, i've been thinking about the day i pull the plug on work. with this additional money i'll be able to up grade my choice of beer and wine.
pat
4/68 to 1/72
 
i would recommend to all that qualify, to sign up with the va for medical benefits. once you're in it's hard to get rid of you. they may be forced to close down enrollment for older vets who might try to enroll for the first time, in the future. so do it today!
i have medical insurance, cost me and the little lady $1136 per month (hsa), has a $4,000. deductible. nicks, scrapes and meds are on me. i was paying 130 per month for cholesterol medication, went to the va and now i pay $7. a month. can i afford to pay the 130, absolutely, it's not about ability to pay, it's about our country taking care of those how offer to put their life on the line, for the benefit of all others.
there my be a time when i might not have the money and may indeed need the va, if you wait to enroll, you might be out of luck!
pat
 
capt. patrick campbell":20rljscw said:
i would recommend to all that qualify, to sign up with the va for medical benefits.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Even though I have full health benefits from military retirement, Medicare, and Champus for Life, the VA has stepped in where the other coverages have holes. My hearing aids (Destiny BTE's) are not cheap but they came free courtesy of the VA and a determination that my hearing loss was service connected. Batteries are free for as long as I'm looking down at the lawn. It's that kind of coverage the politicians love to mess with. The old axiom "You snooze, you lose" definitely applies here. If you served, no matter how short, sign up. You may be at the bottom of their priority list if the time served was brief, but it's a safe haven in a dire emergency.

Don
 
Although I have both Medicare and supplementary health insurance (Premera) I get all of my medical care at the VA. It's excellent care from soup to nuts. I like the idea that they can and do bill and collect from my insurances so they can use their budget for vets without coverage. It's a win/win situation, and I am grateful.
 
An addendum regarding VA hospitals. Visit one for an hour some time if you can. It can be a disturbing experience seeing the unpublicized fallout from our government's need to be the world's 911 force. Mostly male patients, you can see what tragedy each war has caused. Just by strolling through the hallways you'll be able to spot the generation gaps. A few WW2, more Korean war, a large number of "greybeards" from Vietnam and then the jump to the middle eastern conflicts.

You will also see more men with severed limbs in that one hour visit than you'll see in a civilian hospital in a year.

Don
 
Marvin, if you have trouble gettting your dd-214 give me a call. Because I deal with VA home buyers my lender can order DD-214s straight from the VA and get it a week or two not months. I hear the new web site you just used works sometimes and some times not. we just call the lady that handles it our selves.
 
there are some inconveniences with receiving med care at the va. the va is a teaching hospital, as with any teaching hospital, the doctor that treats you may be a intern, 2, 3, or 4th year resident. they do have supervision and by and large do a good job. my son is a physician, recently completed his 4 year residency program and is now employed by the va as an attending physician.
the pay is good, the hours are long, the paper work, unimaginable.
it's nice to have options, and this is simply an option.
best regards to all.
pat
 
Marvin,

I recently called the VA here in Florida to apply for benefits and was told I needed a copy of my DD-214 to determine eligibility. They faxed me a paper detailing different addresses to apply for the form based on when and where you served. I got mine in the mail within 10 days. Call the VA!

Charlie
 
ON SEPT. 19, I FOLLOWED "CAPTAIN'S CAT'S" INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION FOR A DUPLICATE DD214 FORM. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I RECEIVED AN EMAIL REQUESTING THAT I SIGN AND FAX BACK AUTHORIZATION FOR THE RELEASE OF MY DD214. OK, SO FAR SO GOOD. WELL, IN TODAYS MAIL I ACTUALLY RECEIVED TWO COPIES OF THE DD214.
NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS FORM MIGHT COME IN HANDY, SO NOW I HAVE IT, IF AND WHEN, THE NEED SHOULD ARISE.
THANKS TO CHARLIE AND THE OTHERS, WHO OFFERED INFO ON THIS MATTER.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
PAT
 
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