Q: I will retire as a CSRS-Offset participant in December of 2011 with 34 years of federal service and 30 years and six months of “substantial earnings” of Social Security credit. Will I be affected by the WEP?
A: No. Although the windfall elimination would apply to you because you’ll be receiving an annuity in part from a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes (CSRS, not CSRS Offset), the fact that you have at least 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security will mean that there won’t be any reduction in your Social Security benefit. But don’t forget that at age 62 (or late if you retire after age 62) your annuity will be offset by the amount of Social Security benefit you earned while covered by CSRS Offset, whether you apply for that benefit or not.
