Q. I work for the federal government and am under the CSRS retirement plan. I took a federal employee retirement seminar a year ago and was told that as long as I was working I could collect on my husband’s Social Security if he passed away. Since I don’t pay into Social Security and don’t have 40 quarters I am not eligible for it myself. Everything I have read mentions examples of people who are retired and collecting a pension (which I am not). I was told by Social Security that I had to be 66 to collect and that…
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Q. I am a retired CSRS postal worker who does not have enough quarters to be eligible for Social Security when I’m 62. Can I collect benefits from my former or current wife who both have worked and paid into Social Security for years? I was married to my former spouse for more than 10 years and her benefits would be a better financial option for me. A. Because you are receiving an annuity from a retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, any spousal Social Security benefit to which you might be entitled would likely be eliminated…
Q. Several weeks ago, I sent a request for information regarding the offset, if any, when I retire from civil service. I served in the Army National Guard from June 1956 through February 1959. I was drafted into the Army on March 4, 1959, until Feb. 28, 1961. I then enlisted in the Army in March 1961 and retired April 30, 1979. I entered into employment by the federal government Sept. 12, 1980. My wife and I both draw Social Security benefits. I will be retiring Dec. 31, 2011, and need to know what offset I or my wife will experience. Will I…
Q. Worked 33 years for the U.S. Postal Service under Civil Service Retirement System and four years in the Marine Corps. Back in the 1970s, I bought back my USMC time so I could draw both Social Security and civil service retirements as I worked two jobs. Now, with offset in place, I cannot draw Social Security due to USPS retirement. Can I get a refund for my buyback payment since I will never draw Social Security? A. As a CSRS employee, there wouldn’t be an “offset” that would cancel any Social Security benefit to which you might be entitled. Instead, you’d be subject…
Q. I am, a 1811 employee who will be 57. I face mandatory to retirement in 2012, with 23 years of service under FERS. Two questions: 1) Regarding the supplement from OPM, is there a earnings test/limit associated with the benefit? Or can I make more then the $14,000 without any reduction to the supplement? 2) Regarding returning to federal service, law enforcement or non-law enforcement position, is that possible and what is the process to prevent a reduction in my pay/annuity? Is there a special term/classification I need to address in the application process? A. First, because you will…
Q: I am getting ready to retire. I worked for the government from 1968 to 1972. I left the government and worked in the private sector and earned my 40 quarters working in the private sector and made my substantial earnings for Social Security from the private sector. I returned to work for the federal government in 1984,and was in CSRS Offset. I was told that since I earned by 40 quarters from the private sector, my government annuity will NOT be reduced. and I will get a full government annuity and a full Social Security check. Is that right?…
Q: Can I be charged offsets on Social Security and CSRS? A: Yes. Your CSRS annuity will be offset by the amount of Social Security benefit you earned while employed under CSRS Offset. Your Social Security benefit will be reduced if you have fewer that 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security.
Q: Can you explain the differences between the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset? A: The windfall elimination provision reduces (but doesn’t eliminate) the Social Security benefit of anyone who receives an annuity from a retirement system, such as CSRS, where he didn’t pay Social Security taxes and has fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security. The government pension offset reduces the Social Security spousal or survivor benefit of anyone who is receiving an annuity — in whole or part — from a retirement system, such as CSRS (but not CSRS Offset), where he didn’t…
Q. I am a retired governent employee receiving a pension. My husband was killed in a car accident in January of this year. My widows benefits from him under Social Security is being offset and I plan to appeal. Are there any cases where exceptions have been made? A. No there aren’t. The law is fixed and doesn’t allow for any exceptions.
Q: I am a Civil Service Retirement System Offset retiree (15 years in offset) and turned 62 in October. I [was] scheduled to receive my first Social Security benefit Dec. 22. I have contacted the Office of Personnel Management on several occasions requesting to know how much my annuity will be offset, but no one seems to know. My annuity still has not changed. Is it normal for OPM to be late in changing (offsetting) annuities of CSRS Offset retirees? How will overpayments of my annuity be handled? A: Because you aren’t due for your first Social Security benefit check…