I plan to retire early next year (hopefully sometime shortly after February 1) and will receive a lump sum check for Vacation and Compensatory Time. I have a pension for work that I did not pay into Social Security, so my SS will be reduced because of the WEP (I have not started receiving SS yet). However I currently have over 20 years of "Substantial Earnings", so if I can earn enough in 2019 to meet the Substantial Earnings amount (I believe for 2019 that is $24,675), I can add another year to offset some of that reduction.

I work for a local municipality who offers employees a FICA Replacement Plan (401a) in lieu of social security. Since I also have other employment history that entitles me to social security based on my other (non-municipal) earnings record, I am aware that my SSA benefits will be lowered due to the Windfall Elimination Provision.

Hello, an older friend of mine recently lost her husband. She is 89. His monthly social security benefit was about $1,800 per month. She taught for many years in the Illinois public School system and collects an Illinois teachers retirement pension of about $2,400 per month. She had also been collecting $90 per month from Social Security based on Social Security eligible work. She had always been told that the GPO would wipe out any Social Security survivor's benefit she might be eligible for.

Retired after 23 yrs, husband is deceased, retired Major Airforce, have DD214 forms, divorced after his retirement, he as in intellengence at Pentagon, I only get 83.00 mthly SS from him, we were married 23 years, why do I not qualify any more of his SS, I checkd with SS here with no answer?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

How is 2019 Substantial Earnings calculated? A person would need to make almost $4.00 an hour more than minimum wage to make 2018 Substantial Earnings. This discriminates against people working at minimum wage. How is this fair?

Hi,

Hello, good evening.
My wife is 65 years of age and applying for spousal benefits on hers and my record. She is receiving pension in Poland. Before SS worker told us she is going to get about 50% of my benefits and WEP do not apply to this.
I would like to know where is the truth, because right now SS worker took her application and told us she will be penalized for receiving foreign pension. She got about 20 years of work on her record.

Hi,

Hi Jerry:

Thanks so much for your detailed and prompt response, I appreciate it. We'll subscribe to the software for a more detailed assessment, as you suggested.

There is one detail, however, that I need to ask as a follow-up. You noted the following:

Hi Larry:

My wife and I are both 60. My benefit at FRA will be more than twice hers. We are considering having me wait until 70 to claim, and having her claim somewhat earlier; the problem is figuring out when.

My husband passed away on November 12 2014; subsequently I am now working at a public school to support me and my children. My question is when I file for survivors benefits at 60 how will the GPO effect me? I only make 12,000 a year and they take out for the teachers retirement fund but I live in Louisiana so they do not have agreement with social security. I will be working for the school system for 12 years by the time I file .

Thank you for your response to this critical question

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I worked for the Mass Trial Court and receive a pension and minimal SS due to WEP. My husband worked in private sector and has a pension from the company and private investments. If he passes first am I entitled to collect his SS benefits? Or does the WEP nullify that?

Hi,