Ask Larry

Am I Eligible To File For Social Security And Will My Indian Navy Pension Reduce My Amount?

I receive pension from Indian Navy fit working from 1971 to 1993.

I moved to US in 1996, worked for last 23 years and am a US citizen now.

Am eligible to file for social security.

Will my pension from Indian Navy reduce
my US social security amount.

Thanks, Andy

Hi Andy,

Yes, as long as you have at least 40 quarters of Social Security coverage, or roughly the equivalent of 10 years of work, you'll be able to draw Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. But, if you're also receiving a pension based on work where your earnings were exempt from U.S. Social Security taxes then your Social Security benefit rate may be calculated using a less generous computation formula. This is due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). For more information on WEP and it's exceptions, refer to this Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.

Our maximization software is programmed to handle WEP calculations, so you may want to consider using it to get a benefit estimate and to help you determine your best strategy for claiming benefits.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jun 24 2018 - 8:16am
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