The contribution rate is the same for military or civilian wages. Military members pay into Social Security at the same 6.2% rates as civilian employees do. The Social Security wage base for 2026 is $184,500 and a Medicare tax is levied on 1.45% of all wages.

1957: An important year to remember. Since 1957, active-duty military service or active-duty training have been covered under Social Security. If you served in the military prior to this and didn’t pay Social Security taxes, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has added special credits to your earnings record that may help you qualify for benefits or increase your benefits. See below for more coverage details.

Qualifying veterans can receive both Social Security disability benefits and Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits. While you’re eligible to receive both at the same time, you must apply for each benefit separately. You may qualify for other benefits as well, such as Medicare and Tricare, depending on your circumstances.

The Social Security Fairness Act may entitle you to additional benefits. Enacted in January 2025, this law eliminated some restrictions on Social Security eligibility for public employees who received pensions from non-Social Security-covered roles. Some veterans may now qualify for retroactive payments and higher monthly benefits.

Disabling mental or physical health injuries may qualify for expedited processing. The SSA prioritizes applications from those with 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability ratings from the VA. Though it doesn’t guarantee approval, if you were wounded during active duty on or after October 1, 2001, you can apply for expedited application processing. To qualify, you must indicate on the application that your condition is a result of active duty.

You can continue to work and get retirement benefits. You can continue to work and receive retirement benefits. You can begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, but claiming before your full retirement age generally results in a permanently lower monthly benefit. In 2026, if you’re under full retirement age for the entire year, you can earn up to $24,480 before benefits are withheld. If you reach full retirement age in 2026, the limit is $65,160 for earnings received in the months before you reach that age. 

Social Security also provides coverage for disabilities. Many veterans with severe disabilities don’t realize that they may be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you’re unable to perform substantial work because of a disability that’s expected to last beyond a year, you may wish to apply for benefits.

You can apply for disability benefits while still receiving pay. Active-duty status or receiving military pay doesn’t necessarily prevent payment of SSDI benefits. Active-duty servicemembers who continue to receive pay while in the hospital or on medical leave should consider applying for disability benefits if they’re unable to work due to a disabling condition.

Your family may also be eligible to receive SSDI benefits.  Here are the eligibility requirements:           

• Your spouse, if they're age 62 or older.         
• Your spouse, if they're caring for a child of yours who is younger than age 16 or has a disability.       
• Your unmarried child (including an adopted child or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild) younger than age 18, or younger than age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time.
• Your unmarried child, age 18 or older, if they have a disability that started before age 22. The child’s disability also must meet the definition of disability applied to adults.

How do I apply? To apply for your Social Security, SSDI, or SSI benefits, you may contact 1-800-772-1213 to request an appointment, or apply online at any time on the SSA’s website (ssa.gov).