Q: Can I receive both Social Security and military retirement?
A: Yes. Active duty military service has been Social Security covered employment since 1957. Generally, there is no reduction of your Social Security benefits because of your military retirement. More about this is here within the SSA Retirement Planner section.
Q: Do I need Medicare if I have VA medical coverage?
A: The choice is yours. Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) does not have a monthly premium and nearly everyone eligible enrolls. Medicare Medical Insurance (Part B) does have a premium so people choose to enroll and pay a monthly premium.
Keep in mind at least two items when making your decision. First, you might not always be near a VA medical facility when services are needed. Second, how does your other medical coverage work with Medicare? For example, according to the TRICARE website, a retiree or family member of a retiree must enroll in Medicare Part B when eligible to remain eligible for TRICARE. Do your research. The Medicare website is www.medicare.gov.
Q: Am I automatically eligible for Social Security disability if receiving VA compensation?
A: No. These are separate programs with different rules. For Social Security disability, you must meet work and medical requirements as outlined in the SSA Disability Planner section.
Military service members can receive expedited processing of their SSA disability claim.
The Wounded Warriors expedited process is for service members if disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. You can apply for Social Security disability benefits at any time while in military status or after discharge, whether you are still hospitalized, in a rehabilitation program, or undergoing outpatient treatment in a military or civilian medical facility. SSA disability applications of veterans with a VA Compensation rating of 100 percent Permanent and Total (P&T) impairment also receive expedited review.
Q: Is it true that veterans get a special increase to their Social Security benefit amount?
A: No, but this is a very popular myth. I often get emails referring to this “secret” SSA benefit for veterans.
In summary, for service before 1957, when Social Security coverage began for military service, veterans received a special credit adding to their overall lifetime earnings record. This was not a direct increase to a benefit amount but it could increase that amount. Small sums were involved. Doing this was routine and automatic. Requesting it was not needed.
Now ended, from 1957 – 2001 these additions to overall lifetime earnings continued in different ways with a maximum annual amount of $1,200 added to earnings. Again, this was not a direct benefit increase, just an increase to the persons overall earnings record. Details are in the factsheet Military Service and Social Security.