Q. I am a 33-year Postal Service employee. Thirty-three years ago, union officials told me that the government was working on eliminating CSRS Offset and the windfall elimination provision all civil service employees. As of today, they are both still in place. I feel lied to and cheated by my government. Politicians can collect multiple pensions, yet if I try and collect my Social Security benefits, though I have worked enough quarters, I would be penalized. Then, if my spouse dies, I am not entitled to her Social Security benefits, as I understand it. Is there a chance that these two antiquated laws will be repealed so civil servants like myself can enjoy the benefits that others get?
A. In past years there were efforts to modify or repeal both provisions but they gained no traction in Congress. Since the economy went sour, even those efforts have been abandoned.
Before you conclude that you have been “lied to and cheated,” I suggest you become better acquainted with the reasons they were made law. For the government pension offset, go to http://ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf. For the windfall elimination provision, go to http://ssa.pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.
