Hi, I recently read that SS can get my life-time earning and with formula can in some cases get an increase
in their Social Secruity, I'm 86 and have 70% service connected disability, I thank you in advance for any info
you may furnish me. Bernard

Hi Bernard,

It's very likely that you are already receiving the correct amount of Social Security, but if you had recent earnings or if your military service was prior to 1968 then it's conceivable that you could be due a higher rate. In that case, you could submit proof of your earnings (e.g. W-2 form) or proof of your military service (e.g. form DD-214) to Social Security along with a request for recomputation of your benefit rate.

To clarify, Social Security credits deemed military wages (DMW) for periods of active U.S. military service (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.09/handbook-0953.html), and those DMW's can then be used in the calculation of your benefit rate. DMW's are automatically credited for periods of service after 1967, but you normally must submit proof of your service in order to receive DMW's for periods before 1968. Social Security applications contain a question asking if you had military service prior to 1968, though, so Social Security has likely already given you the proper credits for your service.

Best, Jerry