I'll try to condense this. My girl friend was qualified for disability, $500 plus Medicaid and Food Stamps. When she was 60 years old she HAD to take Widow's benefits on her husband who died over 35 years prior...loss of Medicaid and FS, but more money, $1400. We married, that is allowed with no penalty, so she could get on my health plan. I get a pension from local government (no SS paid in) and small SS, $250. She is eligible for a widow's pension from my gov't job when I pass. Will that reduce her SS? I thought it wouldn't because she not collecting on any of her own earnings. Very confusing.

Hi,

No, your wife's widow's benefits on her previous husband would not be affected if she becomes eligible for a widow's pension based on your local government work. The Government Pension Offset provision (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf) only applies when a person receiving Social Security spousal or widow's benefits also receives a government pension based on their own non-covered work.

Best, Jerry