I'm a Vet How Do I Track Down My Vet Father's Military Records

A Lifetime of Security

We are with you from day one when your parents named you, and when you named your children. Most parents apply for their child's Social Security number at birth, usually through the hospital. When the time comes for your child's first job, the number is already in place.

A fun bonus of assigning Social Security numbers at birth is that we know the most popular baby names, which we announce each year. On our website, you can find the top baby names for the last 100 years.

We're There When You Get Your First Job

Every time you change jobs, your employer verifies your Social Security number with us. Doing so helps reduce fraud and improves the accuracy of your earnings records, ensuring you get the benefits you have earned.

Employers collect FICA, or Federal Insurance Contributions Act withholdings, and report earnings electronically to us. This is how we track your earnings and is how you earn Social Security retirement, disability, spouses, and survivors coverage for you and your family. A worker earns up to four Social Security credits each year and needs 40 credits, or 10 years of work, to qualify for retirement benefits. It's vital that you work at least 10 years to qualify for Social Security benefits to be based on your own work record.

Opening a free my Social Security account allows you to verify your earnings history and see if you will get Social Security retirement benefits. A secure my Social Security account also lets you estimate future benefits.

We're There When You Get Married

Whether you're celebrating your anniversary or starting a new chapter alone or with a new spouse, a part of that new life may include a new name. If you legally change your name due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason, let us know so you can get an updated Social Security card — and so we can accurately keep track of your earnings. There's no charge for a Social Security card.

We're there to help if disability strikes

Disability benefits provide modest coverage for severely disabled workers and their dependents, including our wounded warriors. Some wounded warriors and Veterans who have a compensation rating of 100% P&T are unaware that Social Security may expedite the processing of their disability claims. In addition, Veterans may not realize they can sometimes qualify for both VA and Social Security benefits. Approximately 621,000 military Veterans received disability insurance benefits in 2016. Rest assured that if the unexpected happens, we've got you covered.

Learn more on our Disability Facts page.

We're there to provide comfort during difficult times

The loss of a loved one can be both emotionally and financially difficult. Some widows, widowers, and children may receive survivors benefits to help them cope with the financial loss. The number of credits needed to provide benefits for survivors depends on the worker's age when he or she dies.

Unmarried children who are under age 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies.

We wouldn't miss your retirement party

When most people think of Social Security, they think of retirement benefits — with good reason. But we are more than retirement benefits; we offer many online tools to help you plan for your future.

Use Social Security's Retirement Estimator to see what your benefits could be based on when you retire and if your income changes.

Sign-in or create a my Social Security account to verify your earnings and see an estimate of future benefits throughout your career and into retirement.

We are with those who need a helping hand...

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a program that provides income support to people with disabilities, people age 65 or older, or blind, who have low income and resources. U.S. Treasury general funds, not the Social Security trust funds, pay for SSI.

If you or someone you know may be eligible for SSI, visit SSI Benefits to learn more and apply.

And we will be there for years to come...

Social Security has two trust funds — Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI). The OASI and DI Trust Funds have reached the brink of depletion of asset reserves in the past. However, in 1977 and 1983, Congress made substantial changes to the program that resulted in the $2.908 trillion asset reserves that existed as of December 31, 2020.

The Trustees of the Social Security trust funds currently project that the two trust funds combined will be able to pay all benefits in full and on time until 2034. Even if legislative changes are not made before 2034, we'll still be able to pay 78 percent of total benefits due in 2034. Social Security has always changed to meet the needs of the people we serve and will continue to help support you and your family. Whether you are about to retire, become a full time grandparent, or start a new chapter, Social Security can help you secure today and tomorrow. Social Security salutes all Veterans for their service and sacrifice.

I'm a Vet How Do I Track Down My Vet Father's Military Records

Source: https://www.ssa.gov/people/veterans/

Share this post