Hi Larry - are Wep & GPO deductions triggered by a 401A defined contribution acct? Is there anyway to take a 401A distribution, such as rolling over to ira, and not triggering WEP/GPO? Thanks!

Hi,

I'll try to condense this. My girl friend was qualified for disability, $500 plus Medicaid and Food Stamps. When she was 60 years old she HAD to take Widow's benefits on her husband who died over 35 years prior...loss of Medicaid and FS, but more money, $1400. We married, that is allowed with no penalty, so she could get on my health plan. I get a pension from local government (no SS paid in) and small SS, $250. She is eligible for a widow's pension from my gov't job when I pass. Will that reduce her SS?

My husband was born in the UK and came to the US at the age of 44 in the year of 2000.. He worked in the UK for 29 years (since the age of 15) and now that he's a US Citizen of the US, he's been working, of course in the US for 17 years thus far (he is 61 now. My question is this. Certainly he will be entitled to Social Security in the US (he is employed by a school system, which is considered the State of NJ) but what about all of those years he paid in while living and working in the UK?

I have paid into SS my entire career (38 yrs) and will be able to collect at 66.6 yrs of age. I am currently 59 and have changed careers and am contemplating working for the school district which means I will be not contributing to SS but will instead put into a Cal Pers account. So my question is will my SS be affected by taking a job and working for the next 7yrs under Cal Pers.

Hi,

Can be my social security reduced since i receive Hungarian pension. I'm 66 years old and collect social security since age 63.

Hi,

Yes, your Social Security retirement benefit rate may be reduced if you receive a Hungarian pension based on your work and earnings in that country. For more information on this provision (i.e. WEP), refer to Social Security's website: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.

Best, Jerry

Husband will be 62 and will collect as he has been laid off for 7 years getting sporadic work. I am working and will be 60. We have gone through much of our saving to make ends meet and I'm not sure what we can do. I will have a small pension from PERS in California and I wanted to know if there is a reduction in my SS benefits because of my pension. Any guidance would help as we are just about in panic mode. Thank you

Hi,

I am 65 years old and turning 66 in May. My husband has been deceased since 2007. I am a school teacher in Florida and worked for 13 years. My husbands Social Security would be much more than mine . I am still going to work hopefully until I am 69. I am in a drop program. When I spoke to someone from Social Security, I explained that I would be taking my husbands benefits at 66. When I no longer work, I will be receiving a small pension.

My wife collects a federal pension and does not qualify for social security. She will be 66 in January 2018. Can she collect a spousal benefit from me and about how much would she receive. I retired at 62 in July 2015. Thank You so very much. Wayne

Hi Wayne,

My wife passed away before I turned 60. I remarried one day after I turned 60 so I would be eligible to file for survivor benefits. My former wife paid into Social Security for 30 years. My new wife is a retired teacher and receives a teacher's pension and will never receive Social Security since her union opted out of Social Security. My understanding is that her teacher's pension will not impact the amount I receive in survivor benefits nor in retirement benefits when I turn 70 and file for my social security benefit. Is that correct?

Hi,

I am born, lived and worked nearly all my live in Germany. I moved to the USA in 2010 after marrying an US citizen. Now I am 64 years old. I have only worked 5 years part-time in the USA. Due to that fact and special regulations/laws in Germany I will be eligible for full retirement on 1st March 2017. Since about 2 years I am getting as well spouse's benefits from my husbands Social Security. (He is already retired.) I will not get any US Social Security benefits on my own account .