Q. I plan to retire in 2014 with a CSRS pension. Will my spouse’s Social Security benefits be reduced when I begin to receive my CSRS pension?
I do not have sufficient quarters to qualify for Social Security. My wife has never been employed by the federal government and has only held jobs in the private sector where she has paid into Social Security. She meets the eligibility requirements to receive Social Security benefits, and she intends to apply to receive her Social Security benefits this season.
A. The fact that you receive a CSRS annuity won’t have any effect on her earned Social Security benefit. However, any Social Security spousal or survivor benefit you would be entitled to would be affected by the government pension offset provision of law. The GPO will reduce that benefit by $2 for every $3 you receive in your CSRS annuity.
