Q: I worked in Canada until 1997. I moved to the U.S. in 1997 and became a citizen in 2007. I have been receiving pensions from the Canadian government (Canada Pension Plan). The pension is based on what I contributed through my paychecks in Canada. I am also including that amount in tax returns for the U.S. I applied for my Social Security benefits from the U.S. and they are considering my Canadian pensions as windfall income. I feel that the rule is being applied to me unjustly. Is there any way I can appeal? A: The windfall elimination provision…
Browsing: SOCIAL SECURITY
Q: I retired on Dec. 31, 2010, and received the lump sum compensation for unused leave days. The amount exceeds the $14,160 allowed to earn before Social Security reduction. Will my Social Security benefit be reduced because the lump sum I received? A: No, the Social Security earnings limit only applies to earnings from wages and self employment.
Q: I am a federal employee in the CSRS Offset system. I will be 55 in six months and have 29½ years of federal civilian service and one year of unused sick leave. The first three or so years of my federal service was a combination of student employment or term appointments that took place off and on between 1974 and 1984; I have been employed full-time with the government and without a break since 1985. In addition to and, at times overlapping with my federal employment, I have about 15 years of mostly part-time nonfederal employment in all of…
Q: I working for the federal government in September 2010 at the GS 13 level after ending a 30-year career in state government in which I paid no Social Security taxes. I have accumulated approximately 30 quarters of Social Security credits over the years. Most of these credits were earned at low-paying jobs during my high school and college years. Will I be eligible for any Social Security benefit after I reach 40 quarters of credit? Do the provisions of both the GPO and WEP apply to my circumstances? A: Because you are a FERS-covered employee, Social Security taxes are…
Q: I am 60 and just started to think about retirement. I have 23 years of federal service. I will have worked under CSRS Offset for 16 years on July 2010. I have an opportunity to go back to my previous employers (private industry) and will have 21 years of service after I meet the requirement to work five years to make me eligible for their retirement. Suppose my CSRS retirement is $30,000 per year. Suppose my Social Security for my CSRS Offset time is $10,000 per year. Then my CSRS income is only $20,000. But since I want to…
Q: My father was a federal employee for 30 years. He died Nov. 11, 2010. My mother predeceased him by eight years. I received notice in the mail that I was the beneficiary of his death benefit. There is the option of taking the lump sum. But when he put me down as a beneficiary I was his dependent because of multiple mental disabilities. I would like to apply for the annuity for a disabled child. I can trace the start of one my disabilities to when I was between 11 and 13. However, I have no documentation of it.…
Q: I have a large civil penalty from a state and want to know if they can garnish my Social Security income when I start to draw payments. A: Section 407 of the Social Security Act states that “none of the moneys paid or payable under this subchapter shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment or other legal process.” While this is generally true, there are exceptions; for example the collection of delinquent federal taxes or delinquent child support. And there are others. You’ll need to consult an attorney who can examine your particular situation and determine whether garnishment…
Q: I am a FERS dual status technician with the Air National Guard. I completed my active duty Title 10 military buyback (three years, seven months) to receive retirement credit under FERS. Is it possible to apply for a refund of the military buyback time and not receive credit under the FERS retirement system? A: You can only get a refund of your retirement contributions if you leave government and apply for a refund of all your retirement contributions and deposits, thus voiding your entitlement to an annuity.
Q: I plan to apply disability retirement at a Social Security office in few months. What if our organization offers us buyout? Do I have to pay money (buyout) back to the federal government if I get disability retirement pension? A: If you have a disability such that you are or would be eligible for disability retirement, you wouldn’t be eligible for a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP).
Q: I retired from USG under the CSRS Offset in 2009 at 60 with 23 years of service. I am now 62 and am still working in the private sector and have not nor intend to apply for Social Security benefits until much later. However, I received a letter from OPM last month stating that “by law we must reduce your annuity if you are eligible for” Social Security, “regardless of whether you have applied for the SSA benefit or have begun to receive it.” The offset ($500 in my case) is linked to PL 98-168 and PL 99-335.The OPM…