Can I get spouse's Social Security benefits with my own pension - WEP/GPO confusion

Unfortunately, you're likely going to run into the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Since you're receiving a pension from employment not covered by Social Security (teacher's pension), your potential spousal benefit will be reduced by 2/3 of your pension amount. Quick math: 2/3 of $3,800 = $2,533. So if your spousal benefit would be $1,600 (half of your husband's $3,200), it would be completely eliminated because the GPO reduction exceeds the benefit amount. Those earlier jobs that paid into SS might qualify you for your own small SS retirement benefit, but that would be subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), a different but related reduction.

same happened to my mom, she was a nurse with state pension and got basically nothing from dad's ss when he passed. system is totally rigged against public workers

The GPO is definitely going to affect you but I'd still recommend applying. Sometimes people have enough quarters from other work that they qualify for some benefits. The SSA will calculate everything correctly once you apply.

The Government Pension Offset can be frustrating, but there are some important details to understand. First, those earlier jobs that paid into Social Security might qualify you for your own benefit (though WEP may reduce it). Second, there are a few exceptions to GPO: 1. If your government pension isn't based on your own work (rarely applies) 2. If you paid into Social Security for the last 60 months of government employment (probably doesn't apply to teachers) 3. If you were eligible for your government pension before December 1982 and meet certain conditions Also important: if you have 30+ years of substantial earnings under Social Security, WEP doesn't apply to your own benefit, and 20-29 years reduces the WEP penalty. However, this doesn't help with GPO on spousal benefits. I'd recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA to review your specific situation and all your options. Their calculations can be complex.

I went through this exact situation last year! After trying for weeks to get through to SSA about my GPO situation, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a real person at Social Security in about 20 minutes. Worth every penny because I needed specific answers about my pension and spousal benefits. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU or just go to claimyr.com. Saved me so much frustration and I actually got the answers I needed instead of generic info.

u should check if u have 40 credits from those retail jobs. if u do u might get ur own ss benefits but they'll probably be tiny cuz of WEP

Yes, you can check your quarters of coverage (credits) by creating an account at ssa.gov and viewing your earnings record. You need 40 quarters (10 years) of work to qualify for your own retirement benefit. The site will show your estimated benefit amount, but be aware this estimate might not factor in WEP reductions yet. Regarding your earlier question about exceptions - there's one more thing to consider. If your husband passes away, survivor benefits are also reduced by GPO, but sometimes they're higher than spousal benefits, so you might get some benefit as a widow even if you can't get spousal benefits now.

The whole GPO/WEP thing is SO UNFAIR!!! I worked as a teacher for 28 years and as a waitress (paying SS taxes) for 12 years, and I get penalized for BOTH! Can't get much of my husband's SS because of GPO and my own SS is reduced because of WEP. Double whammy for public servants!!! Congress needs to repeal these awful provisions NOW!!

A few follow-up points that might help: 1. Your 7 years in retail likely gave you around 28 quarters of coverage (if you worked all four quarters each year). You need 40 for your own benefit, so you'd be short unless you had other covered employment. 2. If you're already 67, you're at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is good timing for benefits if you do qualify. 3. The GPO calculation is straightforward but often misunderstood: Your spousal benefit would normally be 50% of your husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), then reduced by 2/3 of your non-covered pension. I strongly recommend getting an appointment with SSA to review your specific earnings record and get accurate calculations for your situation.

I'm in a similar situation as a former state employee! One thing that helped me was requesting a detailed benefit estimate from SSA that specifically accounts for GPO/WEP. When you call or visit, ask them to run the calculations with your actual pension amount and earnings history - don't just rely on the online estimates. Also, make sure they include ALL your covered employment, including any part-time work or summer jobs. Sometimes people forget about short-term employment that still earned quarters. The good news is that even if GPO eliminates your spousal benefit now, you might still be eligible for divorced spouse benefits if your marriage ends, or survivor benefits later (though both are also subject to GPO, the amounts might be different). It's worth understanding all your options even if the current situation looks bleak!

I completely understand your frustration with GPO - it's one of those complicated rules that catches many public employees by surprise! Based on what you've shared, you're right that the GPO will likely eliminate most or all of your spousal benefit since 2/3 of your $3,800 pension ($2,533) would exceed the typical spousal benefit amount. However, don't give up hope entirely! Those 7 years in retail plus any summer jobs or other covered employment might add up to enough quarters for your own Social Security benefit. Even if it's small due to WEP, it's still something. I'd also suggest looking into whether your state has any provisions for teachers who paid into both systems - some states have different rules. The most important thing is to get an official calculation from SSA rather than trying to figure it out yourself. Their online estimator doesn't always account for these complex situations accurately. Schedule that appointment and bring all your employment records - you might be surprised at what benefits you're actually eligible for!

I went through this exact same situation a few years ago as a retired teacher! The GPO is definitely going to impact you significantly, but here's what I learned that might help. First, absolutely create that SSA account online and check your quarters - I was surprised to find I had more covered employment than I remembered from various part-time jobs over the years. Second, even though your spousal benefit will likely be eliminated by GPO, make sure to ask SSA about filing a "restricted application" strategy if your husband hasn't filed yet - sometimes the timing of when each spouse files can make a difference. Also, don't forget that if you do qualify for your own small Social Security benefit, you can potentially claim that AND continue working part-time in retirement without the earnings test applying once you're past full retirement age. The system is definitely unfair to public employees, but there might be more options available than you initially think. Good luck with your SSA appointment!

I'm a retired federal employee who dealt with GPO when my spouse passed away, so I understand your confusion! One thing that might help is to know that even though GPO will likely eliminate your spousal benefit now, the rules can work differently for survivor benefits if your husband passes first. The survivor benefit is often higher than the spousal benefit (up to 100% of his benefit vs 50%), so even after the GPO reduction, you might receive something. Also, regarding those retail jobs - make sure SSA looks at ALL employment where you paid FICA taxes, including any 1099 work or jobs you might have forgotten about. I discovered I had credits from a college work-study program I'd completely forgotten! The key is being thorough with your work history when you meet with them. While the system is definitely unfair to public servants, understanding all your options can help you make the best retirement decisions.

I'm a retired school administrator who went through this exact situation! The GPO is definitely going to be a challenge for you, but don't lose hope completely. Here's what I wish someone had told me: First, gather EVERY piece of employment documentation you can find - W-2s, 1099s, even old pay stubs. I found quarters from jobs I'd completely forgotten about, including substitute teaching in different districts and summer camp work. Second, when you meet with SSA, ask them to calculate both your potential spousal benefit AND what your own Social Security benefit might be if you have enough quarters. Sometimes even a small personal benefit is better than nothing from spousal benefits after GPO. Third, consider the timing carefully - if your husband delays filing until age 70, his benefit (and potentially your future survivor benefit) will be higher, which might help offset some of the GPO reduction later. The system is frustrating for educators, but knowledge is power. You've got this!

As someone who's helped many teachers navigate these waters, I want to emphasize something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to ask SSA about the "last day rule" for GPO. If you didn't pay into Social Security during your LAST day of government employment, GPO applies. But if you had even one day of SS-covered employment after your pension-eligible service ended, it might change things. Also, since you mentioned working retail before teaching, check if any of those employers had pension plans that might affect your calculations differently. The interaction between multiple pensions and Social Security can be complex. Finally, consider requesting a formal written determination from SSA rather than just a phone consultation - having the calculations in writing can help you plan more effectively and gives you something to appeal if you disagree with their assessment. The rules are definitely stacked against public employees, but understanding every nuance of your specific situation is crucial for making informed retirement decisions.