My wife worked for a school system in Texas (TRS) and has retired. She paid very little into Social Security in her life - mostly as part time work and never reached 40 credits. She was previously married for 35 years. It appears she is not eligible for spousal benefits on her previous husband. Is she eligible for a portion of mine? We have been married for 3 1/2 years. I am 70 and have been receiving benefits since 62. She is now 65.

Hi,

* In 2015, at 66 (FRA) I filed a restricted application for SS, opting for a small spousal benefit on my current spouse's record, and deferring my own benefits till I'm 70.
* I've received a small Belgian SS pension since 2014 (age 65), ranging from $375 to $410 a month depending on the exchange rate. (10 years of work in Belgium with mandatory SS contributions, followed by 14 in the US with mandatory SS contributions -- leaving me with sufficient credits in both countries so that the totalization agreement with Belgium does not apply to me or make the WEP moot.)

In 2015 & 2016 Substantial Earnings in regards to WEP was $22,050. Has SS issued the amount for 2017? I cant find any reference to the 2017 minimum earnings. I want to know how much I need to earn in 2017 for another year mitigating the effects of WEP. Thanks

Hi,

Lived in U.S. for approx 15 years paying SS Tax and worked in U.K. for approx. 4 years paying U.K. Retirement taxes. The rest of the time lived in England and received Disability Benefits. While receiving Disability in England, English Government credited contributions to U.K pension. but I made no contributions. Where do I stand with respect withholding . If withholding applies, which pension would be reduced? Thanks.

Hi,

If I collect my Social Security benefit and am not yet collecting my benefit from my employer, who did not deduct Social Security taxes, and I have 30 years of substantial earnings does my Social Security benefit reduce by the Windfall provision?

Hi,

My husband passed away 2 months ago at age 64. I am still working at age 65 and paying into SERS .I used to pay into social security for about 20 years but after changing career paths I no longer pay into social security. My question is, can I collect my husbands social security now and keep working and paying into my SERS? I'm working because of my medical coverage but it would help to have his social security since he has passed and I no longer have his income to pay bills. I hope this makes sense I would greatly appreciate your answers.

Hi,

I will reach FRA on June 4, 2017 ( I am not drawing Social Security). My spouse is 73 and has been drawing Social Security for several years. Her earning were not affected by GPO or WEP (she does not receive any non-covered pension). If I apply for a Restricted application to receive benefits based on her earnings record (and let my benefits accrue until I'm 70) will I still receive 50% of her amount even though my earnings would be affected by WEP when I apply on my own earnings record when I'm 70?

Hi,

I receive social security benefits for almost 15 years. The initial amount of my benefits was about 350 $ (now 470 $). I also receive my foreign pension nearly 750 € since 2005. I never reported this fact to social security. Now I learned that this pension affects my social security benefits. Do you know how much approximately my benefits will be reduced if I report my pension and what happens with the overpayment ? Am I forced to pay back for all these years or there is a more restricted time period for this ? Thank you.

Hi,

My wife taught in Illinois from 1976 to 1986. We have NOT started to take her TRS pension. Do we have the option of exiting the TRS benefit program by requesting a refund of her contributions, with the goal of eliminating social security WEP and GPO reductions? And if so, does that make sense since her spousal benefits will be greater than her TRS benefits?
Thanks,
Ron

Hi Ron,

I'm a 52 year old male who, after many productive high income years, is considering becoming a public school teacher. What happens to my social security if I do this? If I lose it as I think, then how do I determine if this career path makes sense in regards to a teacher pension vs social

Hi,