Social Security demanding pension letter for WEP while I'm still working - I haven't retired yet!

Unfortunately, this is pretty standard procedure with SSA these days. If you work(ed) for a state government that doesn't participate in Social Security (like Massachusetts), they automatically flag your account for potential WEP even if you haven't retired yet. They're just being proactive - maybe too proactive! You need to call and explain your situation. Ask them to document in your file that you're still employed and haven't started receiving a pension yet.

This happened to me last year! The key is getting someone at SSA who actually understands how WEP works with current employment. You need to tell them you're still actively employed in a position covered by a non-covered pension system but haven't started receiving pension payments. They should put a note in your record and follow up annually to check your pension status. But call ASAP - if they apply WEP incorrectly, it can take months to fix.

theyll always assume the worst with WEP and GPO. when I filed they did the same thing and I had to go back and forth for like 2 months. eventually had to get my HR to write a letter saying I was still employed and no pension was being paid. its like they dont even read ur application lol

Just wondering - are you sure your state retirement system doesn't have some partial pension option that triggers while you're still working? My sister works for Florida and thought the same thing but turns out she was eligible for a partial pension at 25 years even while still employed. Might be worth checking with HR?

You need to get this resolved quickly. Here's what to do: 1. Call your state retirement system and request a formal letter stating you are ACTIVELY EMPLOYED and NOT receiving pension payments 2. Contact SSA with this documentation (don't just call - you need a paper trail) 3. Request that they add a note to your file that you're subject to annual WEP/GPO review after retirement WEP can reduce your Social Security by up to $558 per month in 2025 if applied incorrectly, so this is worth taking seriously. Make sure everything is documented properly.

I've been trying to reach SSA about a similar issue for 3 weeks with no luck. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me a ton of frustration and the agent was able to fix my WEP flag since I'm still working for the state too. They just needed to put a special code in my file.

I just want to throw out there that WEP calculations are INCREDIBLY complicated and most SSA employees don't fully understand them. My advice? When you call, ask specifically to speak with a "Technical Expert" who specializes in WEP/GPO issues. Regular claims representatives often make mistakes with these complex rules. And document EVERYTHING - get names, dates, and confirmation numbers for every conversation.

One more thing to be aware of - even after you get this resolved, SSA will likely send you a similar request EVERY YEAR until you actually retire and start receiving your pension. It's part of their ongoing WEP enforcement. Just be prepared to go through this dance annually until you actually retire from your government job. Make sure you keep copies of all documentation.

WAIT are you sure your state isn't one of those weird ones with mandatory pension contributions even if ur still working??? my coworker in Ohio thought same thing but turns out money was going into account even before full retirement!! check ur paystub for pension deductions!!!

For anyone hitting this thread with a similar issue - this is a perfect example of why it helps to file for Social Security benefits several months before you actually need them. These bureaucratic issues can take weeks or months to resolve, and you don't want to miss payments while waiting. The WEP/GPO provisions affect hundreds of thousands of public employees and the rules are exceptionally complex.