Q. I have retired after 42 years of federal service. I was on CSRS with no offset. How does Social Security affect my benefits? Before starting my career with the federal government, I had amassed enough quarterly hours to qualify for a small Social Security benefit. Am I still entitled? Will my CSRS be subjected to offset? Or does Social Security really not affect my CSRS benefit but because I received much more than I would as a recipient receiving SSI benefits, SSI really doesn’t exist as far as I am concerned?
A. Since you are receiving an annuity from a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, you’ll be subject to the windfall elimination provision of law. The WEP will reduce your Social Security benefit because you have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security.
