Retirement Social Security

7 Social Security Tips That Could Help Veterans Get More in Retirement

Smart Social Security moves to help veterans retire stronger.

By Katy Willis

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Nov. 19, 2025

After years of service, every veteran deserves to get the full value of the benefits they've earned. But many don't realize that military pay, disability compensation, and even pensions can affect their Social Security benefits.

Whether you're approaching retirement or already collecting, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure you're maximizing your senior benefits.

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Ensure your military earnings are correctly credited

Every dollar of active-duty pay counts toward Social Security, but errors sometimes happen, especially for older veterans whose service predates today's electronic reporting.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps a record of your covered earnings starting in 1957, and from 1957 through 2001, service members earned extra credits, called deemed military wage credits, that sometimes need manual review.

The best place to start is your "my Social Security" account. Log in and check your earnings record to make sure each year of service is properly listed. If something is missing or is too low, gather your DD-214 or pay records and contact the SSA to correct it. Don't overlook your civilian earnings, either.

Correcting your earnings record ensures you get the maximum benefit you're entitled to when you file.

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Understand how VA disability benefits fit in

VA disability compensation and Social Security are entirely separate programs. Generally, your VA benefit does not reduce your Social Security retirement benefit. It's also not counted as earned income for the retirement earnings test. You can receive both simultaneously without penalty.

However, your VA disability may affect your eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which has strict income and asset limits. If you're collecting SSI instead of or in addition to retirement benefits, keep SSA informed about any changes in your VA payments to avoid overpayments or interruptions.

Don't overlook Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Many veterans qualify for SSDI while receiving VA disability, and applying won't jeopardize your VA benefits.

The key difference is that SSDI is based on your work history and Federal Insurance Contributions (FICA) taxes, while VA disability benefits are based on service-connected injury or illness. A 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) VA rating often fast-tracks your SSDI review, as the SSA prioritizes those claims through its expedited process.

If you're too disabled to work but have a solid earnings record, filing for SSDI early can preserve future retirement credits and help protect dependent benefits, too.

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Coordinate Social Security with your military pension

If you receive a military pension, it won't directly reduce your Social Security benefit as the two are completely independent. However, the timing of filing can have an impact. For example, if you plan to claim Social Security early, before you reach full retirement age (FRA), and you choose to continue working, even part-time, you could trigger the earnings test. The same applies if you receive other post-retirement income.

If your income while claiming early exceeds $24,480 per year, the SSA withholds $1 for every $2 you earn. Then, in the year you reach FRA, if your earnings exceed $65,160 per year, they'll withhold $1 for every $3 you earn until the month you hit FRA.

The SSA will reduce your Social Security checks until they've withheld the required amounts. And, once you reach FRA, they'll adjust your benefit amount upward to compensate for the withheld amounts.

Consider consulting a financial planner who specializes in veteran transitions. Or at least run your numbers through the SSA's calculators to see what you'd get at different filing ages and determine when you would be best to file based on your health and financial needs.

Watch for special tax interactions on combined benefits

Social Security benefits can become taxable when your combined income exceeds $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for joint filers. VA disability payments are tax-free, so they don't count toward that limit, but military pensions and civilian earnings do.

If you're drawing both a pension and Social Security, you might find yourself in the taxable zone for benefits even with a modest income. It's a good idea to use the IRS's interactive calculator to help you avoid a surprise tax bill. And, if necessary, you can ask the SSA to withhold 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your Social Security benefits to account for federal income tax.

If you served in the Reserves or National Guard, confirm your credited service

Reserve and National Guard service counts toward Social Security, but only when you earned pay subject to FICA taxes. This is typically only during periods of active-duty training or federal activation. Weekend drills and annual training usually qualify, but state-only activations may not.

Those service credits can still make a difference if you're near the 40-credit minimum needed for retirement benefits. You can review your earnings by year on your "my Social Security" app and verify that your drill pay is included. If it's missing, contact the SSA with copies of your Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) or W-2 forms to fix the record before you file.

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Review your Social Security record before you file

Errors in earnings history are one of the most common reasons benefits come in lower than you expect. The SSA recommends reviewing your online statement at least once a year, and especially before filing for benefits, to ensure every year of work, military or civilian, is accounted for.

If you notice missing wages, gather your W-2s, LES statements, or DD-214s and submit a correction request. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to verify old records, particularly from earlier military years.

Bottom line

For veterans, getting the most out of Social Security starts with accurate records and clear coordination. Make sure your military pay is correctly credited, understand how VA benefits fit alongside Social Security, and plan the timing of your claim around your pension and other income sources. These small checks can add up to thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

Before you file, review your "my Social Security" account, confirm every year of earnings, and, if needed, talk with a Social Security representative or a veteran-focused financial advisor who understands both systems.

You've earned these benefits, so take the necessary steps to make sure you're getting the full amount you deserve for a stress-free retirement.

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