Q. I am a former Postal Service employee (33 years of service) collecting a pension. This September, I will have my required 40 quarters for Social Security (I work part time). Will I be entitled to a Social Security benefit? If so, to what approximate amount?
A. Yes. However, if you are a former CSRS employee, that benefit will be affected by the windfall elimination provision. The WEP reduces the Social Security benefit of anyone who receives an annuity from a retirement system where he didn’t pay Social Security taxes (such as CSRS) and has fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security. To find out how much you would receive, use the handy calculator at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/anyPiaWepjs04.htm.
