Q: I plan to retire from federal service in a few years under CSRS. I will not receive Social Security benefits. My wife will retire at about the same time with Social Security benefits and a small state pension. I plan to elect a survivor annuity for my wife. If I die before her and she begins receiving the CSRS survivor annuity payments, will her monthly Social Security benefit be reduced due to the windfall elimination provision or any other factor?
A: No, her Social Security benefit won’t be reduced. She will be able to receive her earned Social Security benefit and her survivor annuity, with no reduction in either.