What types of pensions affect social security benefits

Question

I will be receiving a pension from my employer when I retire in three years. I've heard that when my Social Security benefits kick in (in twelve years) they will be lowered because of my pension. This seems unfair, since I paid into both of these plans.

Answer

The reductions mainly affect people who didn't pay into the Social Security system for a time, usually because they were working for government or other employers who weren't required to pay Social Security taxes. You may be able to settle into retirement with no pension reductions -- depending on whom you worked for.

If you worked only for private employers, you have no worries. You will get your full pension and Social Security benefits.

If you have worked for the U.S. government's civil service, for some state or local governments, or for an employer who wasn't required to pay into the system, such as a foreign employer, your Social Security benefits could be reduced. The formula to calculate how big a bite will be taken is complicated. But the Social Security Administration attempts to explain it in SSA Publication No. 05-10045, online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10045.html.

The amount of your Social Security benefits is determined by how long you've been in the workforce, how much you've earned, and when you retire. Most employees are covered by Social Security and have Social Security taxes withheld automatically by their employers. Although most federal workers hired after 1983 are covered by Social Security, public-sector workers in many states aren't covered.

Pension plans are offered and maintained by both private- and public-sector employers. You, and many other retirees, may collect both Social Security benefits and a monthly pension check. Receiving a pension doesn't automatically reduce your Social Security benefits. The key factor in determining whether your Social Security benefits will be affected by your pension is whether you receive a pension from government or other non-covered work.

Receiving a Private Pension

If you worked only in jobs for which you were covered by Social Security and your employers withheld Social Security taxes from your paycheck, your pension payments won't have any effect on your Social Security benefits. You can receive your full Social Security benefit and your full pension without penalty.

Receiving a Public Pension

If you earned a public pension, the Windfall Elimination Provision or Government Pension Offset may affect your benefits. Each rule is described below.

Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)

If you earned a pension from a job in which your employer didn't withhold Social Security taxes from your paycheck, and you also worked at least 10 years in other jobs to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you may be affected by the WEP. The WEP rules affect how retirement or disability benefits are calculated and may require a lower Social Security benefit.

The WEP reduction is limited to no more than one half the amount of the pension from employment that isn't covered by Social Security. For example, if a public-sector pension is $600 per month, the WEP reduction in Social Security benefits can't be greater than $300. The maximum WEP reduction is $413.

WEP also affects the benefits of dependents. If you're affected by the WEP and receive a reduced Social Security benefit of $800 per month, your spouse would receive a maximum spousal benefit of $400, one-half your WEP benefit amount. However, if you die, the WEP reduction is removed and your surviving spouse's Social Security benefit is returned to the standard benefit formula.

Government Pension Offset (GPO)

If you receive a pension from a government job in which you didn't pay Social Security taxes, some or all of your Social Security spousal or survivor benefit may be offset. Usually, Social Security spousal benefits are equal to half the worker's benefit if claimed at the spouse's full retirement age or less if claimed at an earlier age. Survivor benefits are equal to the full amount of the worker's benefit if claimed at the survivor's full retirement age and less if claimed at an earlier age.

The GPO reduces the amount of your Social Security spousal or survivor benefit by two-thirds of the amount of your government pension. For example, if you receive a monthly government pension of $600, two-thirds of that amount, or $400, must be used to offset your spousal or survivor benefit. If you're eligible for a $500 spousal benefit, you'd receive $100 per month from Social Security.

Some individuals are exempt from the GPO. Generally, your Social Security spousal or survivor benefit won't be reduced if you:

• Receive a government pension that isn't based on your earnings; or
• Are a federal, state or local government employee whose pension is based on a job in which you were paying Social Security taxes; and
  • You filed for and were entitled to spousal or survivor benefits before April 1, 2004; your last day of employment (that your pension is based on) is before July 1, 2004; or you paid Social Security taxes on your earnings during the last 60 months of government service.

Need Legal Help?

The WEP and GPO rules can be complicated and require careful review. For more information, including information on GPO exemption, you may contact your Social Security office. If you would like legal assistance, you should contact a Social Security attorney.

Do other pensions affect Social Security?

Can you collect Social Security and a pension at the same time?

How much will my Social Security be reduced if I have a private pension?