Hello Mr. Koltikoff, I have a SS question that I have researched multiple times but am unable to find an answer. And right now, I don't trust SS to give me the correct one.

I am a retired Texas teacher and paid into TRS. I understand the WEP and while I don't like it, it is what it is. For now. Anyway, my ex-husband died five years ago at the age of 62. We were married for 23 years. I know I am entitled to a survivor's benefit and thus the GPO affects me as well. (I am 64 and am waiting until I turn 66 to make any SS decisions.)

I am getting a teacher pension (non covered w/ss). I need 18 more quarters of covered work to reach 40 quarters. would I be able to collect any benefits from ss if I returned to work? Would I be eligible for divorced spousal benefits if I completed the 18 quarters? Thank you for your time, Pat

Hi,

I am a civil service employee still working I have 24 soc sec credits when I retire will I be able to get anything from soc sec? also my husband is now getting soc sec disability being a civil service employee will I be able to draw any of his soc sec if he were to die?

Hi,

Is there a reform to the windfall elimination in the works and, if so, would a person who is subject to the elimination because they work for a government agency going to come out better or worst than the way it is now?

Hi,

I have worked all my life and just turned 62, I have worked plenty enough to draw my own ss when I retire at 65. My husband passed away in 2003 at a young age, and I received a small check from the Municiple Retirement System each month from the job he held. Will this amount be deducted from my SS benefits when I do retire?

Hi,

Who, and when did the law go into effect for people who worked for a government entity (Bus driver for OCTA) and get a pension from them, but have to take a % cut in our social security? I would like to know who to contact in the government branch to get this changed. It is not fare in my eyes. I have payed into SS, it makes no sense to me that we are denied full SS. Thank you

Hi,

Neither STRS nor Social Security can give me WEP info for planning. What about teachers who also worked through school and tutor, for example through WyzAnt 1099 on the side, worked in private summer schools, and after teacher retirement (after teaching 30 years) work years contributing to ss. Is it better to have consecutive years for SS ( not claim and write off 1099)? After 30 years of teaching what is the max they can deduct? How can I maximize SS as I work for myself and otside teaching until I'm 66 and 2 months or whatever it is?. Nobody seems to have specialized info.

My husband is receiving Federal Civil Service Retirement pension. We applied for and he was granted spousal benefits based on my Social Security earnings beginning Nov 2014. We knew he was not eligible for his own SS benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision. We are currently living out of the country and suddenly his benefit has been stopped stating he is not eligible due the this provision. We disclosed his status when applying and were told he was still eligible for spousal benefits. Can you explain the decision based on this information.

I am retiring from my County job (not paying SSI) where I have a defined contribution savings with County matching 10% of my contributions. I also have over 10 years of employment where I paid SSI. It looks like my defined contribution savings will reduce my SS benefits due to WEP. If I roll over just my contributions from the savings into a regular IRA before having the County convert the remainder into an annuity "pension" will this reduce the SSA WEP deductions from my benefit? Or will SSA just figure my IRA rollover is a lump sum pension and reduce my benefit more?

Both my husband and I are retired civil service. My husband has been on SS for about 4yrs. I will be 65 in Mar of this yr. 2017 and am not on SS. Can I claim SS under my husband next Mar 2018 when I am 66yrs and then claim my own SS at age 70 in 2022? Or claim my own SS at age 66 and half my husband's at age 70? Do you have info for me to read when both of spouses are retired civil service in order for me to make the best choice of how and when to take SS benefits?