SSA and War Department Renew Military Benefits Data-Matching Program
Published Date: 10/28/2026
Notice
Summary
The Social Security Administration is teaming up again with the Department of War to share military retirement and survivor benefit info. This helps SSA double-check details for people getting Supplemental Security Income and Special Veterans Benefits. The program kicks off by November 29, 2026, runs for 18 months, and invites public comments until November 27, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Quarterly exchange uses SSNs for ~10M records
SSA will provide DOW a quarterly 'finder' file containing approximately 10 million records and the agencies will use Social Security numbers to conduct the match. DOW will return a response file containing military retirement payment and survivor benefit payment data for the matched records.
SSA will verify SSI/SVB with DOW data
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will re-establish a matching program with the Department of War (DOW) so DOW discloses military retirement and survivor benefit payment data to SSA. SSA will use those data to verify information provided by Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Special Veterans Benefits (SVB) applicants, recipients, deemors, and beneficiaries. The matching program is applicable on November 29, 2026 and will be in effect for 18 months.
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