Will my Social Security be reduced by WEP with 29 US years and a German pension?

The good news is that you're very close to avoiding WEP entirely. With 30 years of substantial earnings under US Social Security, you would be completely exempt from WEP. At 29 years, you'll face only a minimal reduction. The totalization agreement between the US and Germany primarily helps you qualify for benefits in both systems, but it doesn't fully eliminate WEP. However, the agreement does ensure that your German benefits won't prevent you from receiving your US benefits. If possible, see if you can get credit for one more year of substantial US earnings - that would eliminate WEP completely for you.

my sister has pensions from US and France and she got hit HARD with WEP. took almost $600 off her monthly SS check!! she was so mad because nobody warned her about this. check the substantial earnings requirement for each year you worked - some of your 29 years might not count if you didn't earn enough in those years.

The WEP reduction is capped at no more than half of your foreign pension amount. With 29 years of substantial earnings, your WEP reduction would be only 10% of the full WEP amount (which is $631 in 2025). So your reduction would be approximately $63 per month, much better than what happens to people with fewer years. The totalization agreement means your benefits are calculated differently than they would be without it, but it doesn't prevent WEP from applying. I'd suggest contacting SSA directly and asking for a WEP calculation specific to your situation - they can give you an exact amount based on your earnings history.

Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to a Social Security agent? I was in a similar situation trying to get information about my international benefits and kept getting disconnected. I used their service at claimyr.com and got through to a representative in less than 20 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. It really helped me get specific information about my situation with a UK pension and US Social Security benefits. For complex international cases like yours, speaking directly with an agent is really the best way to get accurate information.

DONT TRUST WHAT SSA TELLS YOU ON THE PHONE!!!! I got told THREE different things by three different people about my German pension and WEP. One said I wouldn't be affected at all because of the agreement, one said I'd lose almost half my SS, and one wasn't sure. The only way to know is to get it IN WRITING from them. Make them send you a formal determination letter.

I think your worrying too much about WEP. My cousin has pensions from Germany and US and he barely got any reduction. The totalization agreement means they cant double-dip on reducing your benefits. I think with 29 years your almost at the safe point anyway. But definately check if any of those years didn't have enough earnings to count as substantial.

Hey there! Just wanted to share that my situation is kinda similar but with Canada. Based on my research, you might wanna look into the "substantially higher benefit exception" to WEP. If your German benefit calculation method results in a much higher benefit than you'd get under US rules alone, SSA might apply a different calculation that could be more favorable. It's worth asking specifically about this when you talk to SSA. Good luck!

One important factor to consider: if you're still working, even one more year of substantial earnings in the US system would completely eliminate WEP for you. For 2025, substantial earnings means earning at least $31,275 in US Social Security covered employment. If you could somehow arrange to do US-based work remotely for one year while in Germany, or return temporarily, it might be worth it to completely eliminate WEP forever.

After you get your German pension and US SS started, make sure to check the COLA adjustments every year! My dad got hit with WEP but what was weird is that after a few years, his COLA increases seemed off compared to what was announced. Turns out they were recalculating the WEP amount wrong after each COLA. He had to call and get it fixed and even got some backpay from their mistake.

Also not sure if you're still working in Germany but remember the foreign earned income exclusion DOESNT apply to SS tax! I made that mistake and ended up owing a bunch of SS taxes even though I excluded the income from my regular taxes. So confusing!!