Q. I retired on an early out in 2005 after more than 28 years of service. I saw a question about Social Security eligibility for retired postal carriers Aug. 17. I was told by SS that I could get about $300 since I have about 60 quarters. But I was told by someone else I would be reduced in my CSRS annuity payments by that amount. It is called offset. Could this be true? How does the offset work?
A. No, your annuity won’t be offset. However, because you were a CSRS employee, you will be subject to 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. To learn how the WEP works and how it would affect your Social Security benefit, go to www.ssa.gov/pubs/10045.html.
