Social Security application stuck on military service dates - Navy Reserve records from decades ago?

You need to request your DD214 or military service record. Even for reservists, this document has all your service dates. Go to the National Archives website (veterans.archives.gov) and request your military records. It's free and pretty straightforward. DON'T leave it blank or guess! Military service absolutely can affect your Social Security benefits through special credits, even for short periods of active duty. The SSA cross-references with military records, so getting it wrong could definitely delay your application.

i was in same boat last yr. jus call the VA they helped me get my dates n stuff. took like 20mins on phone

My husband went through EXACTLY this last year!!! His Army Reserve service was from 1976-1982 and he couldn't remember ANY of the dates. The Social Security office told him they already had all his military service info on file from the Department of Defense!!!! He just put "see SSA records" in that section and his application went through fine. Try that first before going through all the hassle of requesting records!

As a former SSA claims specialist, I can confirm that military service information is important for your Social Security application, even for short-term Reserve duty. Here's why: 1. Military service before 1957 can add special credits to your earnings record 2. For service after 1957, it ensures all covered wages are properly credited 3. In some cases, it can affect Medicare eligibility Your best options are: 1. Request your DD214 through the National Archives' eVetRecs system 2. Visit https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records 3. Or as another commenter mentioned, you can write "See SSA records" if you believe SSA already has this information If you're facing a pressing deadline for application, I'd recommend applying now with your best estimate, then calling to update the information once you receive your records. This preserves your filing date while ensuring accuracy.

Have you tried contacting the Navy Reserve directly? Sometimes they can help with service verification faster than going through the national archives. But honestly the whole system is RIDICULOUS!!! My brother waited 6 MONTHS for his application because of similar issues. The SSA and military systems don't talk to each other effectively even though they're both government agencies!!!

I spent 3 weeks trying to get through to Social Security about my benefit questions. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to a person in about 10 minutes. They basically hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Might be worth it just to ask if they can proceed with your application without those exact dates. Sometimes the agents can see notes in your file that the online system doesn't show you.

Jus wanna say update ur post if u figure it out, lots of vets got this same problem!

That's excellent news! This is actually quite common - SSA maintains a database of military service information for benefits administration purposes. For future reference for anyone reading this thread, here's the process I recommend for military service questions on SS applications: 1. First, try the "See SSA records" approach 2. If that doesn't work, request records from the National Archives 3. If you're in a rush, estimate dates and call to correct later Glad it worked out for you! Make sure to complete the rest of your application soon to establish your filing date.

Congratulations on getting that resolved! As someone who recently went through the SS application process myself, I know how stressful these kinds of roadblocks can be. Your experience is really valuable for others - it shows that sometimes the simplest solution (checking if SSA already has the info) works best. I'm bookmarking this thread because I'm sure other veterans will find it helpful. Thanks for taking the time to update us on how it worked out!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm a few years away from applying for Social Security myself (Navy veteran, served in the early 2000s), and this whole discussion has been incredibly educational. The fact that SSA often already has military service records on file is news to me - I was already dreading having to dig up old paperwork. It's also reassuring to see how helpful this community is. The advice from the former SSA claims specialist was particularly valuable in explaining WHY the military service information matters for benefits calculation. I'm definitely saving this thread for when my time comes to apply. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences and expertise!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how impressed I am with the quality of advice and support shared here! This thread is exactly what government service communities should be about - real people helping each other navigate complex bureaucratic processes with practical, experience-based solutions. The progression from initial frustration to successful resolution is so encouraging to see. It really demonstrates that while these government systems can seem overwhelming at first, there are usually multiple pathways to get the help you need. The collaborative approach here - with contributions from former SSA staff, fellow veterans, and community members sharing their personal experiences - creates such a valuable knowledge base. I'm not ready for Social Security yet myself, but I'm already learning so much from threads like this. It's clear this community is a great resource for anyone dealing with SSA-related questions. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to share their expertise and experiences!