1840. How does a pardon for a previous conviction affect your benefits?

If you were previously convicted of subversive activities, a pardon removes the additional penalty affecting your Social Security benefit rights. The penalty is removed the month after the month the pardon is granted. Thereafter, your right to benefits and the benefit amount is determined as if there had been no conviction. However, the pardon has no effect on your benefit rights for the months before the pardon.

Last Revised: March, 2001