Q. I am collecting a pension under CSRS. My wife, who has worked and contributed to Social Security, plans to start collecting her Social Security pension this year at age 62. I have opted for survivor benefits under CSRS.
How will my wife’s Social Security pension change in the event of my death — and, vice versa, will my federal pension change because of her passing?
A. If you died, your wife would be able to receive both her earned Social Security benefit and a CSRS survivor annuity, with no reduction in either.
If she were to die before you, you’d continue to receive your CSRS annuity.
However, any survivor Social Security benefit you were entitled to based on your wife’s work record would be affected by the government pension offset provision. The GPO reduces — and often eliminates — the Social Security survivor benefit of anyone who receives an annuity from a retirement system where he or she didn’t pay Social Security taxes.
5 Comments
My husband was receiving Social Security and passed away, I receive a pension from CSRS what am I entitled to from him.
This WEP stuff needs to be addressed and not put at the bottom of the bill pile.
My wife was receiving S.S and passed away, I receive a pension from CSRS and a offset S.S pension. My wife S.S was about $2300 a month and my is $297 a month. I am entitle to my S.S at the offset rate?
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of the their benefits advisers. Be sure to have your late wife’s Social Security number, date of birth and date of death at hand.
Question? Can a widow receive social security benefits from a spouse when receiving a CSRS pension?
Yes, you can; however, that benefit will be impacted by the Government Pension Offset provision of law. To find out how it would affect you, go to https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/gpo-calc.html.