Non-Covered Pension - WEP / GPO

Larry, I just turned 62. My adult life was spent working as a police officer. For 18 years I worked for a county that paid into SS. The county also contributed to the State of Idaho public employees retirement fund. For 16 years I worked for a city that contributed to a 457 fund instead of SS. I have a lump sum valuation from this 457 fund. I do not receive monthly payments. I also voluntarily contributed a substantial amount of money to this fund.

How do I find the best way to receive SS and my unprotected teacher retirement? I am about to turn 66 and I work full time paying SS at my current job.

How to apply and receive benefits from WEP and/or GPO? We both retired from eleven years of working for Louisiana state departments in 1996. We are both 90 years old. Thank you, Nicholas

Hi Nicholas,

I will be eligible for Social Security full benefits at 67. My husband will have a municipal government pension that will have a survivor option. If he predeceases me, and I collect the survivor government pension benefit, will my social security be reduced? Thank you.

Hi,

No. Receipt of a survivor pension based on your husband's government work would not affect your Social Security benefits, regardless of whether you're receiving your own Social Security retirement benefits or widow's benefits.

Best, Jerry

My wife and I are both retired, She was a Government employee and receives a pension. I am 72 and she is over the FRA. What is the formula for determining her Spousal benefit? Do I subtract two thirds of her pension from my Social Security and she gets the balance, or is the formula different?

Thanks, Rick

Hi Rick,

When my social security benefits were approved, WEP was applied. later when spousal benefits were approved it was half of my PIA. But the WEP calculators in the ssa site shows the spousal benefit as equal to half the 90% first bend point value which is far higher than what she is getting. Should my spouse also be paid with the WEP or is the calculator figure right?

Hi,

Hi Larry (and Mike, John, Alex & Isaac),

Thank you for your excellent website, book & app.

I worked for many years in UK and when I filled in the form for my Social Security I was told my UK pension would be deducted from my US Social Security under the Windfall Rules even though I paid in over 24 years in USA. How can this be legal? I paid in fully to both systems and now am told I'm not entitled to both. Can I appeal? I have an appointment on Jan. 7th with my local Social Security office.
I'd be very grateful for your advice. Thanks You. Sandra

Hi Sandra,

My husband has a federal employee pension and no social security. I have a teachers pension. If he dies before me is there any offset from his pension and my SS.

Hi,

No. If you receive a civil service survivor pension based on your husband's federal employment it will not affect your Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry

I plan to retire early next year (hopefully sometime shortly after February 1) and will receive a lump sum check for Vacation and Compensatory Time. I have a pension for work that I did not pay into Social Security, so my SS will be reduced because of the WEP (I have not started receiving SS yet). However I currently have over 20 years of "Substantial Earnings", so if I can earn enough in 2019 to meet the Substantial Earnings amount (I believe for 2019 that is $24,675), I can add another year to offset some of that reduction.