Q. I am retired from the Postal Service under CSRS and get the maximum annuity. What happens if I become eligible for Social Security? (I work a part-time job two days a week.) Right now I have 28 credits. Should I make sure I do not get 40? What happens if I am eligible and do not apply for it? Would that prevent me from losing any of my annuity? I want to make sure I do not mess up or reduce my pension from civil service.
A. Getting a Social Security benefit would have no affect on your CSRS annuity. However, because you are receiving an annuity from a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, your Social Security benefit would be subject to the windfall elimination provision. The WEP would reduce — but not eliminate — that benefit.
