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How Should I Answer This Application Question?

This questions is in regard to item# 14 on form SSA-1-BK. I worked for the same company for 32 years. The first year as an hourly employee, during which time I was under a pension plan. The last 30 + years as a salaried manager. All earnings in those 32 years were taxed, including SS. At retirement I began receiving pension payments of $62 per month. Would my answer be yes or no? Thank you.

Hi,

For other readers, question 14 on a form SSA-1-BK reads: "Are you entitled to, or do you expect to be entitled to, a pension or annuity (or a lump sum in place of a pension or annuity) based on your work after 1956 not covered by Social Security?"

If you paid Social Security taxes on all of your earnings, you would answer that question 'No'. Social Security would not reduce your benefit rate due to receipt of a pension, unless that pension is based in whole or in part on earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes.

By the way, Social Security no longer uses actual paper application forms such as the SSA-1-BK. You can apply for Social Security either online (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/), by calling Social Security, or by visiting one of their offices when they're open to the public. Before applying, though, you may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jan 15 2021 - 10:29am
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