I am retiring from Canada and USA and live in USA.
1.can I collect from both countries and will there be a reduction from my U.S. benefit because it will be greater than my Canadian.
2. Can I legally avoid getting this reduction
3. Is there a formula to calculate the reduction
4. Is dollar exchange in the formula because I do not want to be short changed

Hi Larry,

I'm a US citizen and worked at a minimum wage job in the US for about 5 or 6 years until 1984, when I moved to Belgium. My SS contributions stopped when I moved to Belgium.

I made my career here, paid into Belgian SS and the pension plans of my employers until my retirement in 2022. I'm now receiving the benefit of those pensions.

Since I only worked in the US for 5 or 6 years, I don't have enough quarters to get any SS and was NOT planning to request it.

First, my German husband and I are divorcing. He has German pension that I hope will be divided between us. I have not been able to find out whether my part of the settlement will be deducted from my SS due to WEP. (I do not have 30 years of "substantial earnings" as defined by WEP).

I am hopeful that the German pension portion that I receive will not count against my SS, since the half of the pension that I receive is not based on my own earnings.

Can you clarify?

Hello, I am a divorced non-resident alien ex-spouse living in the UK. I am a UK national and my husband was a US citizen. I lived in the US for a number of years. I know that I will receive a social security payment based on my ex husbands contributions shortly when he turns 62 (I am already. 62). However, when I lived in the US I also made voluntary contributions to the UK state pension. Therefore I am fully paid up in the UK system and am also entitled to Social Security base on his contributions.

Good Morning!

Hello. I saw quite a few questions here asking if a foreign Pension will Impact Social Security benefits. Just like me, the people asking are also entitled to get normal benefits here and there, by way of having worked the minimum amount of years both in the US and in the foreign country (that by the way has an agreement with the US as well regarding pensions).Your answers are always easy to understand and to the point. Now, what I'm wondering is, why would/should I even tell one side about the other?

Larry:
I just turned 65 and was informed by the CNAP Luxembourg that I am eligible for a Luxembourg pension (filed last month seeking reimbursement funds). I am also eligible for the US Social Security program (plans were to file at 66.5 years of age). Does receiving a Luxembourg pension have any affect on my Social Security qualifications and/or the currently listed monthly distribution)?
Thank you

Regards,
Tim

If I draw a Social Security pension from Belgium and at 66 years and 4 months will draw Divorced Spouse SS from the USA - will the USA SS be exempt from both WEP and GPO and not reduced because of my foreign SS pension? Thanks Larry!

Hi. Yes. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) doesn't apply to auxiliary (e.g. spousal, divorced spousal) or survivor benefits, so WEP won't be an issue with regard to your divorced spousal benefits from the U.S.

Im Hungarian and American citizen.I already have survivor benefits in USA.I worked 33 years in Hungary,so I earn social security benefits from there also in 2022.Will the Hungarian pension affect the benefits I already have in USA?

Hi. No. Foreign pensions have no effect on U.S. Social Security survivor benefits.

Best, Jerry

Hello Larry
I like to know if I am able to collect my deceased husbands pension in Italy. And Will it effect the amount I can collect from my personal Social Security benefits ?
Thank you

Hi. My expertise is limited to U.S. Social Security benefits. I can't tell you whether or not you'd qualify for a widow's pension from Italy, but if you do receive a survivor pension from Italy it won't have any effect on your U.S. Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry