BASIC (12-89)

A. Background

1. History

Since Social Security coverage of basic pay for active duty or active duty for training began on 1/1/57, several laws have been passed to credit DMW to E/R's of members of uniformed services based on periods of active duty or active duty for training or on amounts of basic pay for such duty.

2. Today

If all requirements are met, SSA may credit the E/R with $300 per calendar quarter for each quarter in which basic pay for active duty or active duty for training was paid in the period 1957-1977 and $100 for each $300 of such basic pay paid annually 1978 through 2001, up to a maximum annual amount of $1,200.

3. Amounts/conditions

Limitations have been established not only on the amounts of DMW but also on the conditions under which DMW may be granted (see RS 01404.230B. and RS 01404.230C.).

B. Policy — limitations on the amounts of DMW and crediting DMW

See RS 01701.001 and RS 01701.002.

C. Procedure — limitations on crediting DMW

1. Obtain from DD Form 214 or similar document

1. date of enlistment;

2. date(s) of entry on active duty or active duty for training;

3. length(s) of active duty periods;

4. date of discharge;

5. type of discharge (i.e., reason for separation); and

6. date of death (if within period of service).

2. DMW use

Determine if DMW may be granted by referring to RS 01701.001 ff.

3. Discharge guidelines

1. On DD Form 214:

   • narrative reason for separation is found in item 28; and

   • the authority is given in item 25 or item 26 if the individual was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.

2. U.S. Coast Guard — if the reason given for separation is hardship, disability, or convenience of government, the codes shown below should be shown in item 26.

3. U.S. Public Health Service — Form PHS-1867 for an individual entitled to deemed military wage credits has a stamp imprint addressed to Veteran's Administration (VA) stating that the individual qualifies under 38 U.S.C. 3103A(b)(1)(B).

4. If DD Form 214 or Form PHS-1867 do not meet these guidelines, submit the claim to OISP. See address in RS 01404.215B.2.

4. Discharge codes chart

5. No deemed wages

The DEQY will show WWWW in the establishment field for wages for inactive reserve duty from 1988 on for which no deemed wages may be added. RS 01404.200C.

6. Determination cannot be made

Submit to OISP as in RS 01404.230C.3.

D. Policy — removal of DMW

1. Time limitation

DMW is considered paid at the same time as basic pay and is subject to the time limitations and exceptions permitting correction of E/R's in RS 02201.000 ff.

2. Removal

If DMW may not be granted and if correction is permitted (see RS 01404.230D.1.), the DMW should be removed from the E/R and not used in the computation of benefits.

3. Active/inactive duty

Problems may occur when uniformed service components do not distinguish between active duty and inactive duty, since DMW is not granted for inactive duty.

E. Procedure — removal of DMW

1. Identify

See RS 01404.200C. and D.5 above.

2. How to remove known DMW before E/R request

1. Non-MCS claims:

   • circle the “SR” code on Form SSA-450 and

   • enter statement: “P.L. 96-342 (or 97-306) — remove DMW for period MM /YY-MM/YY.”

   NOTE: See RS 01404.230E.4. for Public Law (P.L.) notice information.

2. MCS claims:

   • use SCOU screen (MSOM MCS 022.004 );

   • identify military employer and military wages (type of scouting) and fill-in screen as completely as possible; and

   • show statement in a. above in field 13, Additional Clarification.

3. How to remove known DMW after E/R request

1. For both Non-MCS and MCS claims as well as non-claims, use Form SSA-5016 with the same language as in RS 01404.230E.2.a.

2. PC's may use Form SSA-9432 (Notice Regarding Military Service Wage Credits) for service before 1968.

3. For claims, a manual computation may have to be made and a Form SSA-101-U3 prepared for manual award processing.

4. Notices

1. If initial enlistment occurred after September 7, 1980 and before October 14, 1982, inform the claimant that DMW is being removed under provisions of P.L. 96-342.

2. If entry on active duty occurred after October 13, 1982, cite P.L. 97-306.

3. These are the same references to be given to OCRO for removal of the DMW from the E/R.

5. Claim

List under Code 374 only. See RS 01405.090.