Q. I am a federal employee with 35 years of service. I switched to FERS in 1987, and have been working continuously. I am age 56 1/2, I have reached my MRA and would like to retire. My spouse worked his entire life and contributed to Social Security, but now at age 60 has been disabled and is drawing Social Security disability. My question regards the “special retirement supplement.” When would I start receiving it, and will it be reduced because of my spouse’s situation? A. You’d receive the special retirement supplement concurrently with your annuity. It would approximate the Social…
Browsing: SOCIAL SECURITY
Q. I am currently working in the U.S. Postal Service under CSRS for 32 years. I will be 62 in January and have paid into Social Security for more than 10 years (forty quarters). Social Security sends me yearly letters stating how much I can draw at retirement. Will I be able to draw at 62 if I’m still working at the post office. Am I eligible to draw any Social Security at all if my CSRS is over $14,000? A. You would be able to apply for Social Security benefits while you are still working but it wouldn’t be…
Q: My brother-in-law recently died and his wife, a retired federal worker, applied for survivor benefits at the Social Security Administration. She was advised that since she is receiving a federal retirement she is not eligible to receive any survivor benefits. I searched this site and others and have been unable to find an exact case. This response from the Social Security Administration seems bizarre. A: She was affected by the government pension offset provision of law. The GPO reduces the Social Security spousal or survivor benefit of anyone who is receiving an annuity from a retirement system where he…
Q: My husband is 66 and has been collecting Social Security since he was 65. He is at the maximum level of Social Security (apart from the early withdrawal reduction) having been at the maximum earnings level for most of his working life. I am 66 and am not collecting Social Security. I am employed part time and earn less than “substantial earnings” as defined by the windfall elimination provision rules but enough to get credit for Social Security benefits. I have about 18 years of substantial earnings and do not expect to have 20 years or more of substantial…
Q: I worked in the VA system from 1974 to 1993 and am eligible to draw my retirement in four years when I am 62. If I am re-employed by the VA before I begin to draw my retirement, will I continue in the CSRS system or must I be part of FERS? A: You would automatically be covered by CSRS Offset (CSRS and Social Security), with the option of electing to be covered by FERS.
Q: I’m a CSRS Offset employee. I was wondering if I retire immediately and start my Social Security payments if my total annuity amount would be less than if I waited until I was 66 to start collecting Social Security. Or will my total annuity remain the same regardless when I start my Social Security? A: Your CSRS annuity will be offset automatically at age 62 by the amount of Social Security benefit you earned while covered by CSRS Offset. The total amount you receive will be the same; it will just come from two different places, OPM and the…
Q: I am a CSRS employee working for the Air Force and I have a question about military buyback. I was first employed by the federal government in 1975 and am eligible for retirement in September 2010 when I turn 55. From everything I’ve heard, when I become eligible for Social Security I will take a reduction in my annuity for my time in the military because I did not buy it back. A: Because you were first hired before Oct. 1, 1982, you’ll receive credit for your period of active duty military service when your annuity is computed. However,…
Q: I retired on full CSRS disability from the U.S. Postal Service in 1991. I am 64 years old. When I turn 65 will I get or apply for regular Social Security retirement, or do I just get the federal disability until I die? A: You would only be eligible for a Social Security disability benefit if you had the required number of Social Security credits and were judged by SSA to be disabled for all gainful employment. If you didn’t meet that last definition and had at least 40 credits under Social Security, you would be eligible for a…
Q: I receive a FERS annuity, military retirement and in four months will be eligible to receive Social Security at age 62. Will my Social Security be reduced due to the windfall elimination provision? A: No, the windfall elimination provision only applies to retirees who are receiving an annuity from a retirement system where they didn’t pay Social Security taxes, such as CSRS. Neither the military retirement system nor the FERS system fit that definition.
Q: I can retire at 55 with 32 years under CSRS in the Postal Service. I have worked part time all this time. Last year I was sent what my retirement would be based on retiring at that time. I will only get about $10,000 a year. My husband has been self-employed, but will become a full-time rural carrier after being a substitute for 18 years. He has checked with Social Security, and so far he could receive $2,000 a month. When he becomes a full-time carrier he will be in FERS. I know about the windfall elimination and all,…