Hi Larry, I have a state teachers retirement and 24 quality years against the WEP I will encounter when I apply. My question is about the amount my wife will receive at 62. Is it calculated before or after my WEP is calculated?

Hi,

After, assuming that you're referring to spousal benefits. Any reduction resulting from the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) would affect your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is equal to the amount of your Social Security retirement benefit rate if you start drawing at full retirement age (FRA). And, since unreduced spousal benefits are derived from 50% of the worker's PIA, if your Social Security retirement benefits are reduced by WEP then your wife's spousal rate would also be reduced. Furthermore, if your wife starts drawing benefits at age 62 her benefit rate will be reduced for age as well.

You and your wife may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore and compare your options so that you can choose the best strategy for maximizing your benefits. The software is fully programmed to handle benefit calculations involving WEP.

Best, Jerry