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btw don't forget about social security earnings test if you claim before your FRA... that caught me by surprise when i retired!!! has nothing to do with WEP but another thing to remember
Good point about the earnings test, but that's a separate issue from WEP/GPO. The earnings test only applies if you claim benefits before Full Retirement Age while still working. It's temporary and you get the money back later, unlike WEP which is a permanent reduction.
As someone who's been through this exact situation, here's what I'd advise: 1. Calculate your expected state pension after 10-15 years of service 2. Compare that to potential private sector salary + full SS benefits 3. Factor in healthcare benefits, which are often superior in state jobs In my case, even with WEP reducing my Social Security by about $520/month, my state pension more than made up for it. The healthcare benefits alone saved me thousands annually. The strategy of returning to private work can mathematically reduce WEP impact, but it's generally not worth the career disruption. Each year of substantial earnings beyond 20 years reduces WEP by 5%, but that might mean only $30-35 more per month in benefits for each additional year. Focus less on maximizing SS and more on total retirement income including pension, savings, and healthcare costs.
Thank you for this practical perspective! You're right - I should look at the total package rather than hyperfocusing on Social Security alone. The healthcare benefits with the state job are excellent compared to my current private sector options.
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I'm really confused about all this WEP talk. I thought WEP only applied to people who didn't pay into Social Security enough quarters? Or is that the other one... GPO? I get them mixed up. My husband worked for the railroad and I know his pension affected something with my benefits but I can never remember which is which...
You're confusing WEP and GPO. WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) reduces your OWN Social Security benefit if you worked in jobs where you didn't pay Social Security taxes (like some government or foreign jobs) AND also worked enough in SS-covered jobs to qualify for benefits. GPO (Government Pension Offset) reduces spouse/survivor benefits if you receive a pension from non-covered government work. The railroad retirement system has special coordination with Social Security that works differently from either of these provisions.
The good news with the WEP reform proposals is that there seems to be bipartisan support for some kind of fix. The bad news is that they've been trying to fix it for years with no success yet. For those wondering about the status, there are currently multiple bills in Congress addressing WEP reform. Some call for full repeal, others for a modified formula that's less punitive. Most include some retroactive payments for those already affected, though likely not full retroactive amounts going back years. I think it's smart that you delayed benefits to age 72 regardless of what happens with WEP reform. That 40% increase for delaying claim from 67 to 72 is substantial and would help offset the WEP reduction even if reform never passes.
Yes, that was my thinking at the time - that delaying would at least partially offset the WEP reduction. What I didn't anticipate was potentially getting both the full non-WEP amount AND the delayed credits if reform passes. That would be a significant windfall for me and others in similar situations. Do you happen to know which specific bill has the most support currently? I'd like to contact my representatives about it.
The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82 in the last Congress) had the most co-sponsors, but there are other bills with different approaches too. The Ways & Means Committee has also discussed compromise solutions. Best approach is to contact your rep and express support for WEP reform generally rather than a specific bill, since the final solution might be a compromise version.
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my wife didnt get any extra $ when i filed last yr even tho i get almost $3000 a month and she only gets $1400. ssa told us she only qualifies if half my benefit is MORE than her own. its not 50% of what im getting now but 50% of my pia or something like that. kinda confusing system if u ask me lol
You're absolutely right - it's 50% of the PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), which is what you would receive at your Full Retirement Age, not including any delayed retirement credits. The SSA benefit calculations can definitely be confusing!
One thing nobody mentioned yet - if your husband hasn't filed yet, make sure HE understands that when HE files for his benefits, it won't change anything about how YOU file for spousal benefits. Some people get confused and think both spouses need to apply at the same time, or that the higher-earning spouse needs to do something special to "enable" spousal benefits. But the process is: 1) He files for his benefits when he's ready, 2) Once he's entitled to benefits, you become eligible for spousal benefits IF they would be higher than your own (which in your case, they wouldn't be). Also, keep in mind that if he passes away later, you would be eligible for survivor benefits equal to 100% of what he was receiving, which WOULD be higher than your current benefit.
Thank you for this additional information. I hadn't even thought about survivor benefits yet, but that's important to understand too. I'll make sure my husband knows that his filing won't affect my current benefits.
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This all sounds complicated! Wouldnt it be easier just to take the survivor benifits now? Why wait?
It might be simpler, but it wouldn't maximize her lifetime benefits. By taking her own reduced retirement benefits now and switching to full survivor benefits at FRA, she'll get some income now PLUS the maximum survivor benefit later. If she took survivor benefits now, they would be permanently reduced. In her specific situation (where her husband was the higher earner), this strategy often results in tens of thousands of dollars more over her lifetime. The exact difference depends on benefit amounts and life expectancy, but it's usually significant enough to justify the more complex approach.
When you do make the switch at 67, start the process at least 3 months before your birthday. I waited until the month of my FRA to switch strategies, and there was a gap in my payments that created some financial stress. The SSA backdated everything eventually, but I went almost 2 months without any benefits while they processed the change. Just something to plan for.
Thank you for this practical advice! I'll definitely start the process early. Did you have to complete a whole new application when you made the switch, or was it a simpler process since you were already in their system?
ShadowHunter
My father-in-law went through something like this. What they don't tell you is that once you're at full retirement age, you should check again with SS. Sometimes the calculations change and you might be eligible for more. The whole system is designed to be confusing so people don't get everything they're entitled to!
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Omar Hassan
•This is partially correct but needs clarification. The WEP and GPO calculations typically don't change at full retirement age. However, life changes like the cessation of a pension or the death of a spouse can affect the calculations. It's always good to check with SSA when circumstances change, but reaching FRA alone doesn't usually modify WEP/GPO impacts.
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Anastasia Sokolov
I'm dealing with a similar mess right now. My husband has a federal pension and I'm on SSDI. The whole system seems designed to punish people who worked in public service. Have you talked to a financial advisor who specializes in federal benefits? We found one who really helped us understand our options better than any SSA rep could.
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Ravi Sharma
•That's a great suggestion. We haven't consulted with a financial advisor who specializes in this area. Do you have any suggestions on how to find one? I agree that the system seems unnecessarily complicated, especially for those who've worked in both public and private sectors.
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