Ask Larry

Why Did My SS Benefit Go Down?

I've worked and lived in tge states 10 years before collectors SSDI, recently I became 65 and then applied for Spousal w my American husband. Then I received a letter that was I received pensions. I wasn't but applied to CPP. I'm now getting 72.oo a month from CPP but they r docking me much more. Calling it a non covered pension. My SS has dropped over 100.00 a month? Why?

Hi. It sounds like the reduction in your benefit rate is likely due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The WEP provision causes a person's Social Security retirement or disability (SSDI) benefit rate to be calculated using a less generous calculation method if the person is also receiving a pension based on their earnings that were exempt from U.S. Social Security taxes. So, if you started collecting a Canadian pension based on your work in Canada then that pension could cause your SSDI benefit rate to be reduced.

There is a WEP guarantee provision that limits any reduction in your U.S. benefit rate to no more than 50% of the gross amount of your non-covered pension. I don't have enough information to know whether or not your benefit rate is correct, but if you think that it may not be you might want to consider filing an appeal. For more information on the appeals process, refer to the following Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10058.pdf.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Sep 9 2021 - 4:00pm
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