I taught school for about seven months (Aug 1974-March 1975) in a Texas school district that did not take out social security from teachers' paychecks. Will this affect my ability to take my divorced spousal benefit when I reach FRA in Feb 2018? I have more than 40 years of SSI credit besides my short time as a teacher.

My financial advisor said another client could not take her divorced spousal benefit because she had taught for 25 years in a district that did not take out social security for teachers.

I am 81 years old and have been receiving federal retirement benefits since I retired in 1995. I was told I cannot receive a portion of my deceased husband's retirement benefits since I receive my own federal retirement check. I worked a short time in the private sector and receive $92.00 a month Social Security from my own eligibility. My first husband, to whom I was married for over 25 years, died recently. Because of my own federal retirement check, I expect that I cannot receive any of his payments either. He was 78 years old and was already collecting social security.

My wife is going to be under the GPO & WEP in filing for SS, so we don't expect much. But would both the GPO & WEP be in play if she should claim spousal benefits? And is there a tool out there that would figure out what her income will be with both of these programs that lessen her payout each month?

I retired at age 60 from a job earning about $46,000. a year. Since I worked for a school district I am collecting on my PERS (Public Employees Retirement System). My husband retired from the certificated sector of education so he is collecting on his STRS (State Teachers Retirement System). I am planning on waiting until the age of 70 to begin collecting on my Social Security. Is this the best I can do? Also, what about any Social Security monies my husband has contributed over his lifetime? Can I collect on that even though he is not allowed?

Hi,

my ex husband will receive a percent of my pension when I retire (I am a city employee and pension is my only retirement, I do not have social security benefits). he will also receive his own retirement plan (401 type plan) and social security benefits. will his own social security benefits be affected by the fact that he will also receive some of my pension? will his benefit be offset by anything? can I use his SS benefit to decrease the amount of my pension that he receives? thank you

Hi,

I have 32 years of government service under the FERS retirement system, into which I've paid SSI taxes. My spouse is a teacher covered under CALSTRS, and has therefore not paid into SS. She does have the required 40 quarters of work where she paid into SS, however, in addition to her years teaching. Currently, we believe the WEP will eliminate virtually 100% of any small SS benefits for which she is eligible. My question is, would she be eligible to file for spousal SS benefits based on my benefits? At 50% of my anticipated SS income, that would amount to a nice sum.

I was born 1948 my wife 1954. We both draw a retirement form the start of Alaska. My wife only gets about $300 a month from the Alaska retirement. We both are vested in SS 40+ quarters. I started my ss when I was 62 and was reduced because I was retire from the state of Alaska to $350 a month. Because of off set laws and others I under stand I can not draw on my wife's SS and her SS will be reduced because she get a AK retirement.

Larry,

I'm a Federal Employee in the old full pension CSRS system. My question is about the WEP or Windfall Elimination Provision. I worked my entire Federal Career in CSRS, from 1978 to 2017, retiring in January. I have had a few part time jobs over the years and I have more that 40 quarters but not the required years of substantial earnings so I will be WEP'd.

My husband and I applied for retirement benefits and spousal benefits together. Both of us are above 70 years of age.My husband was recieving a pension and SSA has applied windfall elimination provision and send him a letter about it. Will the same be applied to spousal benefits also? I too am getting a pension.

Hi,

Hello Larry,
My question concerns filing a 'restricted' spousal application on my husbands' benefits while deferring mine until age 70.
My husband began receiving his benefits at age 62. He is now 65. I will be 66 this October. and plan on filing. It is my understanding, from reading your book, that I should be able to collect half of what would have been his benefit at his FRA. and hold off on mine until age 70.