In all claim situations, the technician is responsible for reviewing the claimant’s
earnings record to identify situations that may adversely affect the claimant’s benefits
(e.g., insured status). Refer to RS 01404.110C to determine when to develop potential earnings record inaccuracies.
In addition to the earnings record review, the technician must request EARQ alerts
in all claim situations. Resolve alerts as follows:
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1.
If the claimant agrees with their Social Security statement or earnings record, resolve
the EARQ alerts only if:
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it is clear the claimant is incapable and will require a representative payee; or
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a multiple Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax report or possible duplicate
earnings alert exists and, using the alerted earnings, could result in an incorrect
increase.
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2.
If the claimant does not agree with their Social Security statement or earnings record, resolve the alerts
following instructions in RS 01404.110 through RS 01404.140. For internet claims (iClaim), if a claimant indicates that they do not have an earnings
statement, contact the claimant to review the earnings history per RS 01404.110.
While reviewing the earnings record pay particular attention to earnings posted after
1977. An E/R review with the claimant indicates whether the field office (FO) must
develop the following issues:
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MS active duty periods prior to 1968, Wage Credits or Deemed Wages. Verify active
duty periods of any alleged or proven MS prior to 1968. This includes 1957 through
1967 Deemed Military Wages (DMW) and Pre-1957 MS Wage Credits or the lack thereof
from 1940 to 1968.
NOTE: Do NOT show post-1956 MS earnings or DMWs as precluded (PRE) unless the benefit computation
for Railroad (RR) benefits used them.
For information about E/R review requirements see RS 01404.105.
CAUTION: To determine longevity for a government pension, the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) only uses the time in service, not the post-1956 MS earnings or DMWs earned.
Thus, do not preclude these earnings or DMWs from the SSA PIA or benefit payment computation.
For instructions about how OPM credits post-1956 military service, see RS 01702.356.