I am a US citizen born in Brazil and living in the US for the past 27 years. Three years ago, when I turned 65, having accumulated enough credits during my prior working life in Brazil (before becoming a US taxpayer), I applied for “old-age” retirement benefits in that country, which pays the national minimum wage (approximately US$ 2,600 a year, at the current exchange rate). In a couple of years, I will turn 70 and will apply for SS benefits in the US. I would like to know if the retirement benefit I am currently receiving in Brazil will negatively impact the amount I will receive here from Social Security. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.

Hi. Yes, the fact that you're drawing a pension based on your work in Brazil will likely cause your U.S. Social Security retirement benefit rate to be reduced due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). There are exceptions to WEP, though, but I don't know if any of them would apply to you. For information about WEP and it's exceptions, refer to the following Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/wep.html.

Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) is programmed to handle calculations involving WEP, so you may want to consider using the software to fully analyze your options and determine how much of an effect WEP may have on your benefit rate.

Best, Jerry