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Vets Being Misled by Internet Come-Ons

Vets Being Misled by Internet Come-Ons
Many veterans have been led to believe that they are missing out on some extra Social Security benefits allegedly payable to people who served in the military. Perfect Wave/Shutterstock
Tom Margenau
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Not a week goes by when I don’t get emails from veterans who have been led to believe that they are missing out on some extra Social Security benefits allegedly payable to people who served in the military. Here is a very typical example of such an email.

“I read on the internet that as a veteran, I should be getting an extra $120 per month added to my Social Security check. They said all I have to do is take my DD-214 (military discharge papers) down to my local Social Security office and they will start paying me the extra money. I tried to do that, but nothing happened. What can you tell me about this?”

Tom Margenau
Tom Margenau
Author
Tom Margenau worked for 32 years in a variety of positions for the Social Security Administration before retiring in 2005. He has served as the director of SSA’s public information office, the chief editor of more than 100 SSA publications, a deputy press officer and spokesman, and a speechwriter for the commissioner of Social Security. For 12 years, he also wrote Social Security columns for local newspapers, and recently published the book “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” If you have a Social Security question, contact him at [email protected]
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