My wife has a local government pension from her years working as a teacher, and the pension has survivor benefits. I know her social security benefit is reduced by her pension. But if she dies before me, and I receive her pension survivor's benefit, will my own individual social security retirement benefit be reduced? In other words, if I receive her pension's survivor benefit, is it seen the same way as if I had my own earned pension benefit? Thanks.

Hi,

No, your Social Security benefits would not be affected if you receive a survivor benefit from your wife's pension plan. Only non-covered pensions based on a person's own work count for purpose of the WEP & GPO provisions (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf & https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf).

Best, Jerry