Can veterans collect both military retirement and Social Security? The double-dipping rules explained

The earnings of active-duty service members and those on active-duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. The Social Security Administration even gave these members of the military extra credits between 1940 and 2001.

The latter has helped make veterans eligible for Social Security benefits or in many cases increase the amount they can get in the monthly payments when the apply for retirement benefits. However, depending on their military service, veterans may also be eligible for a pension from the military as well.

Military pensions and Social Security: the double-dipping rules explained

Firstly, veterans can receive both a military pension and Social Security. Except in the case of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the amount of money you receive from your military pension will not affect your Social Security retirement, survivor, or family benefit, nor disability benefit. The latter has an income eligibility limit, but only income from work counts toward it.

The SSA also sets an income eligibility limit for SSI benefits that is adjusted each year. Any beneficiary that has income from any of a variety of sources, including that from a military pension and VA disability benefits, which surpasses that limit will make you no longer eligible for the SSI program.

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