Q. I am a USPS retiree receiving an estimated annuity from USPS. I am 63½ and am thinking of applying for Social Security. I have more than 40 quarters of Social Security deductions outside USPS. I also have more than 40 quarters of Social Security deductions within USPS under the CSRS Offset retirement system. How will this situation affect my Social Security benefits and/or annuity?
A. If you have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security, you’ll be subject to the windfall elimination provision. It will reduce but not eliminate your Social Security benefit. That’s because part of your annuity will come from your years as a pure CSRS employee, a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes.
