Hi Larry, I will be receiving a local government pension for which I did not pay into Social Security. My wife does not have a pension, and will rely on what she has paid into Social Security. If I die and she assumes my pension, will that affect her Social Security income, or is she entitled to Social Security regardless of the pension because she paid into it separately?
Thank you, Doug

Hi Doug,

No, your wife's Social Security benefits won't be reduced if she receives a survivor pension based on your government work. The only non-Social Security covered pensions that can affect a person's Social Security benefit payments are pensions based on THEIR OWN earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes.

Best, Jerry