Did you serve in the military and plan to sign up for Social Security?

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT Anyone who had active duty service between January 1957 and December 31, 2001 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 1957 through 2001 (the program was done away with 1 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!  If you cannot locate your discharge papers, here is the link to get your DD 214: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/dd-214.html 

Just talked to SS and they said the military benefit is NOT an additional benefit. The way it works is if you do not have enough quarters to qualify for benefits your military service can be used to give you the additional quarters needed. Too bad, I was looking forward to some extra money. Oh well. Hope this info will help someone.