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Social Security reductions with PERS retirement - will WEP apply while I'm still working?
I started collecting Social Security at my full retirement age of 67 in February while continuing to work as a city maintenance worker. My employer contributes to a government pension (STRS) that I won't access until I fully retire in about 2 years. I'm having my SS benefits deposited directly into a separate account until I stop working completely. I know about the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and that it will reduce my Social Security when I start taking my pension. My question is: Does WEP apply NOW while I'm just collecting SS but not yet taking my pension? Or does the reduction only kick in once I actually start receiving my STRS pension payments? And if WEP doesn't affect me until I start collecting my pension, will SSA look back at the pension contributions that were made while I was simultaneously collecting Social Security? Will that change how much my SS gets reduced? I've tried calling SSA three times but keep getting disconnected after waiting forever. Thanks for any guidance!
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Will my 2023 earnings above the limit affect my SS survivor benefits calculation?
I started taking early retirement benefits in December 2020 when my restaurant closed permanently during COVID. Found a part-time consulting gig in 2021 that ended this February. I switched over to survivor benefits after my husband passed away last summer (filed in August 2023). Here's my problem - I just got a letter saying I earned over the annual limit for 2023 ($21,240) and need to repay around $4,800 in benefits. What I'm confused about is whether my higher 2023 income (which was actually one of my best earning years) will replace one of my lower earning years in my benefit calculation even though I'm now receiving survivor benefits instead of my own retirement. Does anyone know if those 2023 earnings still count toward my own record even though I'm currently receiving survivor benefits? And would it potentially increase my own benefit amount if I ever switch back?
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One thing nobody's mentioned - if you're earning enough to have to pay back benefits, you might want to consider whether it makes sense to just suspend your benefits until you reach FRA. I did that when I went back to work, and it saved me the hassle of paying back benefits. Plus, for each month your benefits are suspended, you get a little boost when they restart (they recalculate to remove some of the early retirement reduction).
That's interesting! But since I'm already on survivor benefits now and not working anymore (the job ended in February), I don't think that would apply to my current situation. Might be helpful for others though!
To address your specific situation more directly: Since your 2023 earnings were from a period when you were still receiving your own retirement benefits (before switching to survivor benefits in September), those earnings could indeed replace a lower year in your 35-year calculation. However, there's an important timing element here. The SSA doesn't apply new earnings to your record until after the employer W-2 forms are processed, typically around September of the following year. So you might not see any change in your record until late 2024, and any increase to your own PIA wouldn't be relevant while you're receiving survivor benefits (unless your own benefit eventually becomes higher).
Social Security retirement and working through March - monthly earnings limit question
I'm planning to retire and start my Social Security benefits in March 2025. I know SS payments come a month later (so I'd get March benefits in April). My question is about the earnings test - if I work through all of March, would I be penalized? I won't go over the annual earnings limit ($22,320 for 2025) by then, but my monthly income would definitely exceed the monthly limit if I work the full month. I've considered just waiting until January 2026 to avoid any earnings test issues, but that's becoming less realistic. I'm the primary caregiver for my wife who has a progressive health condition, and honestly, the stress of balancing work and caregiving is taking a serious toll on my health. Does anyone know how strictly SSA enforces the monthly earnings limit in the first year of retirement? Would working until March 31st create problems with my benefits? Thanks for any insights.
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To address your vacation payout concern: Yes, lump sum vacation pay counts as earnings in the month received, not when earned. However, you could ask your employer if they'd be willing to spread the vacation payout over multiple months instead of one lump sum. Not all employers will do this, but it's worth asking if it helps you stay under the monthly limit. Also, regarding your spouse's SSDI application - if she's approved, you may become eligible for a caregiver spouse benefit once you're both receiving benefits. This is something to discuss with SSA when the time comes.
That's brilliant about spreading out the vacation pay! I'll definitely ask HR about that option. And I had no idea about the caregiver spouse benefit - that's something to look into for the future. Really appreciate all this helpful information.
Can I repay SS retirement benefits taken early to get higher FRA amount with ex-spouse benefits and disabled adult child?
I'm in a complicated situation with my Social Security benefits and hoping someone can help. I started taking retirement benefits in January 2023 at age 65 (before my full retirement age) based on both my work history (which is spotty) and my ex-husband's record (he was a high earner). We were married for 22 years and I never remarried. I reached my Full Retirement Age in August 2024, and now I'm wondering - is it too late to withdraw my application and pay back all the benefits I've received so I can restart at a higher FRA benefit amount? Complicating factors: - My disabled adult son lives with me and receives SSDI benefits on my ex's record (he qualified before age 22) - I had a substantial capital gain in December 2023 (about $75,000) - I don't know if my ex is collecting benefits yet - he was born in 1957 and is still working full-time Will withdrawing my application affect my son's benefits? And is it even possible now that I've been collecting for over a year? The SSA website is confusing me completely!
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hey did ur disabled son have any trouble with his benefits when u started collecting? my kid is worried cause i might start mine soon but they get ssi not ssdi if that makes a difference
That's an important distinction. SSI and SSDI are very different programs. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is needs-based and has strict income/resource limits. If your income increases, it could reduce your child's SSI. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on work history and not affected by other household income. The original poster's son is on SSDI, which wouldn't be affected by her retirement benefits.
Circling back to your original question about increasing your benefit: While you can't withdraw and reapply, remember that if you continue working, even part-time, Social Security will automatically recalculate your benefit annually to see if your new earnings increase your benefit amount. Also, once you reach age 70, you should check if you might qualify for a higher spousal benefit from your ex-husband's record, especially if he's filed for his benefits by then. The $8,000 annual earnings you mentioned likely won't make a huge difference, but it could cause some small increases over time if those earnings replace lower-earning years in your calculation.
Thank you for coming back to address this. I'll keep working part-time then, as every little bit helps. I'm also going to see if my ex has filed for his benefits yet, as that might change my situation. This has all been very helpful information!
Can my wife claim my full $4,000 Social Security survivor benefit or must she wait until her FRA?
My financial advisor suggested I check into the survivor benefit situation for my wife. I'm currently 66 and receiving $4,000/month in Social Security retirement benefits. My wife is 58 and hasn't claimed any benefits yet. She's planning to work until her full retirement age (67). I've been having some health issues lately that have me concerned. If something happened to me in the next decade or so, would my wife be able to immediately claim my full $4,000 monthly benefit as a survivor benefit? Or would she be forced to wait until she reaches her full retirement age at 67 to get the full amount? I've heard conflicting information about reduced survivor benefits if claimed early versus waiting until FRA. Also, I'm confused about whether her own benefit matters in this situation. She'll have a smaller benefit (around $2,100 at her FRA) based on her own work history. Does that impact what she can get as a widow? Any clear explanation would be helpful.
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Just wanted to add - make sure your wife knows exactly what paperwork she'll need if something happens. My mom had to provide: death certificate (certified copy), marriage certificate, both their Social Security cards, birth certificate, and photo ID. The SSA website lists everything but having it all ready saved her a second trip. Also tell her she should apply in the month of death - they don't pay benefits retroactively beyond a certain point.
That's extremely helpful, thank you. I'll make sure we have all those documents organized and accessible. Would you recommend keeping physical copies together in a specific place, or are digital copies sufficient for the SSA?
To answer your follow-up question about optimal strategy: Generally, yes - claiming the lower benefit first then switching to the higher one later can maximize lifetime benefits. For example, if your wife's own benefit at age 70 would be higher than your survivor benefit (unlikely with the numbers you provided, but possible for others), she could take reduced survivor benefits at 60, then switch to her own maximized benefit at 70. More commonly for couples with disparate earnings like yours, she might take her own reduced retirement benefit at 62, then switch to the full survivor benefit at her FRA. The optimal approach depends on: 1. Both benefit amounts 2. Her life expectancy 3. Whether she's still working (earnings test) 4. Any other income sources during potential gap years The SSA won't automatically tell her about these strategies, so it's good you're researching now.
this is so confusing!! i wish the SSA would just TELL you what the best option is instead of making you figure it out yourself. i bet most widows leave money on the table because we don't know all these rules
Jamal Wilson
has anyone else noticed that the SSA website says different things about WEP than what the reps tell u on the phone???
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Mei Lin
The SSA website is generally more accurate than phone reps. The problem is that WEP is incredibly complex and many SSA representatives don't deal with it regularly. Always get any important information in writing, and if possible, speak with a technical expert who specializes in WEP cases rather than a general representative.
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QuantumQuasar
Thank you all for the helpful responses! I feel much better knowing that WEP won't affect me until I actually start receiving my pension payments. I'm definitely going to keep my SS benefits in that separate account just to be safe. I'll make sure to contact SSA as soon as I start receiving my STRS pension so there are no surprises. Thanks again for clearing this up!
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Liam Fitzgerald
One more thing to keep in mind - make sure you understand how much your STRS pension will be before you retire, so you can estimate your post-WEP Social Security amount. The SSA has a WEP calculator on their website that can help you estimate the reduction. You don't want to budget based on your current SS amount only to be surprised when it decreases.
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