Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO

hi Larry..when calculating how WEP will reduce Social Security and looking at their table of yearly Substantial Earnings, is it based on actual earnings for each year or indexed for inflation earnings? Thank you,
Robin

Hi Robin,

The annual amount defined as 'substantial earnings' for purposes of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is based on a person's actual earnings, not their indexed earnings.

Best, Jerry

My wife, (59now),has enough credits to qualify for soc. Sec. & is now eligible to draw retirement benefits from teacher retirement. She will definitely draw the teacher retirement benefits. I’m 62 now & have not filed for soc. Sec. benefits, which will be my only retirement benefit. My soc. Sec. full retirement benefit is more that twice what my wife’s is. Her teacher retirement benefit is more than twice my soc. Sec. benefit. What are the calculations &/or social securety tables to estimate her benefits when allowing for WEP,while claiming Soc. Sec.

Dear Larry,

Thanks in advance for your help! My concern is not listed in the topics to the left.

I am 70 years old and I collect Social Security retirement benefits. I taught for 24 years as an adjunct professor, during which time my university paid into the State Teacher's Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) instead of Social Security. Because my academic employment was often only part time, I worked other jobs that paid into Social Security.

I have 17 years of soc sec substantial earnings. I turn 64 in April. I retired and am drawing a public pension subject to windfall elimination. I have farmland with CRP payments of $2600 a year. Can I use the CRP payments and use the farm option method for reporting self employment income to obtain several more years of “substantial earnings” to decrease my windfall penalty percentage. I know it does not start to decrease until I have a least 3 more years of substantial earnings. Is this something I should explore? What if I start drawing soc. Sec. in 2 years.

My husband retired at 62, received 1 SS check and died the next month. I retired at 62, had enough work in the SS system to collect SS. I also had 10 years in the state school retirement system. I thought I would be able to pick up his SS after his death but I’m told all I get is the $255 death benefit. Is all this true or is there something I ca do about this?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hi Larry,
I saw you mentioned in an AARP publication.
Question: I’m 76 and still working for the State of California which has a pention plan that I pay into. The State also contributes. I am now collecting Social Security monthly. My wife age 72 is also collecting Social Security. When I retire, will I be able to continue to collect Social Security with a reduction and get my full government pension?
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve,

Dear Sir,

German citizen spouse is receiving US spousal social security benefits based on my record (~$1400). She will be entitled to German Social Security in November of 2019 (~$550). She never worked in the US. I understand from your previous answers that Government Pension Offset (GPO) does not apply to foreign pensions. GN 02608.400 B also states that GPO does not apply to social security benefits.

How does a 10 year transfer payout annuity in lieu of a lump sum affect GPO and WEP? (Educator in Louisiana). Do the penalties go away at the end of the 10 year period? Also, is the initial lump sum estimated from the day you quit working, the day you are eligible to draw a pension, or the day you actually start withdrawals? I bought your software a few years ago but couldn't get it to match these questions. Thanks!

Hi,

Hi Larry...my Social Security will ultimately be subject to WEP...When I get my yearly estimate of benefits in the mail, do they take into account WEP?

Hi,