Q. I am not eligible for Social Security retirement. I have 35 quarters of coverage and need 40. I was told if I waited until after age 62 and then earned my 40 quarters and became entitled to Social Security retirement, I would not receive a reduction to my CSRS retirement check. Is this true?
A. As a CSRS retiree, you would not have your annuity reduced if you were eligible for a Social Security benefit. However, because you are receiving an annuity from a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, you’d be subject to the windfall elimination provision. The WEP would reduce your Social Security benefit if you had fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security.
