Q. I am under CSRS Offset. I am eligible for Social Security under my own record, but also under my husband’s.
Can offset in CSRS be taken from my record if I take my husband’s record, or will it take the offset off my husband’s record? Social Security said I would get more under my husband’s record than my own. So I am wondering if I never apply for my record if my offset will increase each year I don’t take it.
A. When you turn 62, your CSRS annuity will automatically be reduced by the amount of Social Security benefit you earned while a CSRS Offset employee. (This is a one-time, permanent reduction in your CSRS annuity.) At the same time, you will be entitled to a Social Security benefit based on your entire Social Security-covered work history. You may, if you wish, elect to receive a Social Security spousal benefit based on your husband’s work history. You would then receive the larger of the two benefits.
