Q. I am a 61-year-old CSRS employee still working for the federal government with 31 years of service. I also have 41 quarters of Social Security. If I continue federal work until I am 66, will I be able to collect both CSRS and Social Security?
A. Yes, while you are employed you can collect both your salary and your full Social Security benefit. However, when you retire, you’ll be receiving an annuity from CSRS, a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes; therefore, you’ll be subject to the windfall elimination provision. The WEP will reduce the amount of your Social Security benefit because you’ll have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security.
