Q. I am a retired CSRS postal worker and have opted for a survivor benefit. I do not qualify for Social Security. My spouse has about 24 years of SS payments from her jobs. If I die, are her benefits, either CSRS survivor benefits or Social Security, affected? If she dies, am I entitled to any of her Social Security benefits?
Browsing: Government pension offset
Q. My husband worked for the government for 25 years under CSRS and receives a pension. When he retired, we applied for spousal benefits because I had no qualifying employment. He then went to work in the private sector and will complete his 30 years of substantial earnings for Social Security next year. When he retires, he will receive another pension from his private job. As we understand it, we should not be affected by the windfall elimination provision. However, we are confused by the government pension offset. Will he not be entitled to draw his full Social Security at…
Q. I retired in 2010 with 40 years of service, including four years of military service (1972-1976) that I did not pay back. While I am 62 and don’t qualify for Social Security yet, I recently received a notice that I now qualify for survivor benefits. Will this affect my CSRS annuity? Second, is the one-time Catch 62 check at age 62 in law or process? My concern is that if it is process, then it could easily be changed because of the budget situation to check every year after age 62 or when you start to draw Social Security…
Q. I’m trying to understand how my retirement income will be affected by the government pension offset and windfall elimination provision. I’m a CSRS Offset employee (55 years old) contemplating retirement in the next year with more than 32 years’ service. I also receive a monthly spousal annuity from my deceased wife’s CSRS service. I understand that when I turn 62, my own CSRS pension will be reduced by whatever Social Security amount I’m eligible for (should be more than 30 years of Social Security earnings), but I just read something indicating that my spousal annuity also might be reduced…
Q. I am a CSRS retiree. My husband still works and is under Social Security. When he dies, will I receive anything from his Social Security? I am aware there is something called the government pension offset, but I don’t understand it. Can you explain? A. Your Social Security spousal or survivor benefit will be reduced by $2 for every $3 you receive in your CSRS annuity. To better understand the government pension offset and the reason it is a matter of law, go to http://ssa.gov/pubs/10007.html.
Q. I am under FERS with a CSRS component (10 years CSRS, 15-year break, FERS for the past 20 years). If my spouse receives Social Security benefits based on my work history and I predecease him, and he begins receiving an annuity, will his Social Security payments be reduced or possibly eliminated under the government pension offset? He has enough quarters to qualify on his own record and is receiving payments now. However, under my records, his payments would be higher. I will retire in a year, at age 66, and would like to know before we request that his…
Q. I retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs after 42 years of CSRS service. I also retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with 31 years of service. In the Reserve, I paid into the Social Security system. I always understood that I would not receive Social Security payments due to the windfall elimination provision or government pension offset. However while I was visiting a Social Security office on another matter, a rep told me that because I paid in for more than 20 years, I would receive a percentage of my Social Security entitlement. Is this true, and if…
Q. I retired from federal service under CSRS in 2004 with full survivor benefits provided to my spouse following my death. Will my spouse still be able to receive her Social Security benefits at their full value? If my spouse passes on before I do, are there Social Security survivor benefits that pass on to me or our unmarried daughter, who is dependent on us for support? A. Your spouse would be able to continue receiving her earned Social Security benefit. If she were to die before you, any spousal or survivor Social Security benefit you would otherwise be entitled…
Q. I retired in 2008 from the Department of the Navy as a civilian with 37 years of service. I also had 33 Social Security credits prior to starting my government service. I have worked in the private sector for the past five years and have met and exceeded my mandated 40 Social Security credits. I have been receiving My most current Social Security statement cites that I will receive $632 at age 62, etc. I’m somewhat confused about the government pension offset process/impact and was hoping you could help define my situation. I plan to retire from my private-sector…
Q. I need to work three more years of about $4,800 each year to qualify for Social Security benefits. Is this something I need to do? Will my annuity reduce if I never apply for Social Security? Is it more, less or closely the same benefit financially to draw Social Security? How can I generally know this mathematically? Also, is there a site and/or calculator that provides additional help with the government pension offset? A. If you earn 40 credits under Social Security, you’ll be entitled to a Social Security benefit; however, because you are a CSRS employee who will…