Can I get higher Social Security benefits through my wife due to WEP offset from federal pension?

Yes, you likely qualify for spousal benefits based on your wife's record. Even with WEP affecting your own benefit, you can still receive up to 50% of your wife's primary insurance amount (PIA) as a spousal benefit when she files. However, there's a catch - the Government Pension Offset (GPO) may reduce your spousal benefit by 2/3 of your federal pension amount. This often eliminates spousal benefits entirely for former government employees. You should check if your FERS service was covered by Social Security (most is) or if it was under CSRS (which would trigger GPO).

I'm in almost the same boat! Worked 25 yrs for state govt and my ss is basically worthless now. Its SO FRUSTRATING that they dont tell u this stuff when ur working those early jobs paying into ss!!! My husband has a good ss benefit and I got nothing from his. They take 2/3 of my pension right off the top of any spousal benefits. The whole system is rigged against govt workers!!

my cousin went thru this exact thing. he got way more taking the spousal benefit from his wife's record than his own tiny benefit after wep. but u have to actually apply for it, they dont automatically give u the higher one.

This situation requires careful planning. Here's what you need to understand: 1. You cannot receive spousal benefits until your wife files for her own benefits 2. For FERS employees, WEP affects your own benefit, but GPO typically doesn't apply to spousal benefits (assuming your FERS service was covered employment where you paid Social Security taxes) 3. Once your wife files, you'd receive the higher of: your own WEP-reduced benefit OR up to 50% of her PIA (if you're at your FRA) If your wife's benefit is substantial, waiting until she reaches her FRA or even age 70 might maximize your household total. When she files, you should immediately file for spousal benefits. The SSA should automatically give you the higher of your own or spousal benefit, but sometimes they miss this, so be explicit in your application.

Have you actually tried calling the SSA to ask them? Their website is confusing with all these rules and exceptions. I've been trying to get through to them for weeks about my own retirement questions and just keep getting endless busy signals or disconnected.

Since you mentioned 12 years of substantial earnings under Social Security, you might not be subject to the full WEP reduction. The WEP reduction is lessened for people with 21-29 years of substantial earnings and eliminated at 30+ years. With only 12 years, you'll face a significant reduction, but it's calculated specifically based on your earnings history. Regarding spousal benefits: as others have mentioned, since you were under FERS (covered employment), GPO shouldn't apply to your spousal benefits. This is a key advantage compared to CSRS employees or those from non-covered state/local government positions. I recommend requesting your Social Security statement online and running calculations both ways - with your reduced benefit and with potential spousal benefits - to see which provides more income for your household.

the whole wep/gpo thing makes me so mad!! why should we be penalized just becuz we worked for the government?? regular people don't have their ss reduced! there's actually a bill in congress to reform this but it never goes anywhere.

After reading through all the responses, I think your best strategy is: 1. Confirm your FERS service was fully covered employment (it almost certainly was) 2. Calculate your WEP-reduced benefit using the SSA's online calculators 3. Calculate 50% of your wife's PIA (which she can find on her Social Security statement) 4. Compare these amounts to see if spousal benefits would be higher 5. If spousal benefits are higher, consider when your wife should file Since you're already past FRA, you'll get the full spousal benefit (if eligible). Your wife's decision to file at FRA vs. age 70 should be based on your joint life expectancy and financial needs. If she delays until 70, her benefit increases by 8% per year, which also increases potential spousal benefits for you.