Q. I am fully covered under the Social Security Act (48 quarters of coverage). I also am covered with 33 years of postal service under CSRS and am 62. Can I get my Social Security benefits? I keep hearing that my CSRS benefit will be offset. Then I have heard that I am entitled to my full CSRS pension and only 40 percent Social Security benefits. What is correct?
A. The latter is closer to the truth. Because you’ll be receiving an annuity from retirement system where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, your Social Security benefit will be subject to the windfall elimination provision. The WEP will reduce — but not eliminate — your Social Security benefit because you have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security.
