Ask Larry

Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO

Will My CPP Cause A Deduction In My Spousal Benefit Due To WEP Or GPO?

I don't have 10 quarters of work in the US. I can qualify however for social security with my Canadian earned credits but taking spousal social security would be a greater amount so I do qualify for that.
My husband has worked in the US for over 30 years. Because I am collecting CPP will I be subject to a a deduction in my Spousal social security either under WEP or GPO.
Thank you
Karin

Posted: 
Friday, September 16, 2022 - 16:00

Can I Be Penalized Twice For The 2/3rds Rule?

Can I be penalize twice for the 2/3 rule? I retired from DoD and became a contractor paying into SS. When I retired from private industry, I was assessed 2/3 reduction. I accepted that, it was not news. My spouse passed several years later (last year). When I applied for widow's benefit I was told in one paragraph that I would receive $700 more a month (the difference between my husband SS). In the next paragraph I was told that I would not get the additional monies because of the 2/3 rule. I reclama it in writing using double penalization rule. Have never heard anything more.

Posted: 
Monday, August 29, 2022 - 15:15

What Are The Implications For Me As A Public Servant Who Doesn't Pay Social Security Taxes?

Hi Larry!

I was a public servant for 10 years and now work for a state-level hospital system, both of which have pension programs. I do not pay into Social Security. This seems typical for some states (Massachusetts, Colorado) but my understanding is it may not be the same for all states. I'm curious what, if any, implications there might be when I reach retirement age? Thanks for your insight!

Posted: 
Friday, August 26, 2022 - 14:40

Why Does The Windfall Act Affect Me?

I am collecting ssn disability and I also collect a pension why does the windfall act affect me ?

Hi. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) can cause a person's Social Security retirement or disability (SSDI) benefit rate to be reduced if they receive another pension that's based on their earnings, and if those earnings were exempt from Social Security taxes. So, if the other pension you receive is based on your earnings and if you didn't pay Social Security taxes on those earnings, that's why your SSDI benefits can be affected by WEP.

Posted: 
Friday, August 26, 2022 - 12:04

Does The WEP Reduction Apply During Suspended Status?

Does the WEP reduction apply during Suspended status?
I had understood that the WEP reduction doesn't apply during the suspension period, was I mistaken?
I received a letter from SSA stating that they reduced my SSA benefits due to WEP.
I chose to suspend for two reasons:
1. Delay the SSA benefits to increase the amount.
2. Avoid the WEP reduction until I reinstated the SSA benefits.

Posted: 
Monday, August 8, 2022 - 16:13

Is There Any Possible Way Around The Government Pension Offset?

Is there anyway possible around the Government Pension Offset?

I worked for a small municipality and fell into a niche group between 1980-81 that did not pay into Social Security. It was never explained (or offered to us) after that, that we could be reinstated into the system. (22 yrs old and Social Security was a mystery.)

I was married for 23 yrs and told I was eligible for "Spousal Benefit" of almost $1,000.
Then told because I worked for a local government and have a pension of $1,800, it would be taken away.

Posted: 
Tuesday, August 2, 2022 - 18:10

Would My Own SS Amount Be Reduced If I Collect A TRS Survivor Pension?

My spouse has a decent TRS pension.
I understand her SS punishment by WEP & the significant loss of any spousal SS I can give her.

I’m entitled to half of the TRS pension amount should she pass.
My question is; would my own SS amount start being reduced if I ever started collecting that survivor TRS pension?
Thank you,

Posted: 
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 - 11:44
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