Will my teacher's pension trigger WEP even though I pay into Social Security now?

You're asking a great question about WEP that confuses many educators. The answer depends on a few key factors: 1. If you're paying into Social Security in your teaching position (not all teachers do), you're building what's called "substantial earnings" under Social Security. 2. WEP only applies when you receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security. Since you mentioned you're currently paying into SS as a teacher, your pension from this job shouldn't trigger WEP. 3. The most important factor: If you earn 30 years of "substantial earnings" under Social Security, you're completely exempt from WEP regardless of any non-covered pension. Since you mentioned you'll have 30 years of SS contributions, you should be fully protected from WEP. I'd recommend creating a my Social Security account online to track your covered earnings history.

My situation was similar but slightly different. I taught in Ohio for 15 years (no SS contributions) then moved to Illinois where teachers DO pay into SS. Got hit with partial WEP because I didn't have enough years paying into SS. Check your earnings statement carefully!!!

The person in your breakroom is WRONG. WEP only affects you if you get a pension from work where you DIDN'T pay into Social Security. If your teaching career has Social Security deductions taken out of your paycheck, then your pension won't trigger WEP. Simple as that.

This is a common misunderstanding. The key is whether you're paying into both systems simultaneously or separately. Here's what matters: 1. WEP applies when you receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security 2. If you're paying into Social Security as a teacher, your teaching pension won't trigger WEP 3. For complete WEP exemption, you need 30 years of "substantial earnings" under Social Security For 2025, "substantial earnings" means making at least $32,550 per year in SS-covered employment. Each year above this threshold counts toward your 30 years. With partial substantial earnings (20-29 years), you get partial WEP protection. I recommend downloading SSA's WEP calculator tool from their website to estimate any potential reduction. You'll need your earnings history from your Social Security statement.

Omg this WEP stuff is so confusing!!! I'm also a teacher and thought I understood it but now I'm lost again. Is there even a way to talk to an actual person at Social Security who can look at YOUR specific situation? I've tried calling SSA like 15 times and always get disconnected or wait for hours. It's insane.

Ppl in this thread are giving decent advice but missing a critical detail! If you worked ANY YEARS as a teacher where you DIDNT pay into SS (like in certain states), those years could still trigger partial WEP even if your current teaching job pays into SS. The SSA looks at your entire work history not just current job!!!

There's something important no one has mentioned yet. There are two separate provisions that affect teachers: WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset). WEP potentially reduces your own Social Security retirement benefit if you also receive a pension from non-covered work. GPO can reduce Social Security spousal or survivor benefits by two-thirds of your government pension amount. Since you're paying into Social Security throughout your teaching career, WEP shouldn't affect you. But it's still worth understanding both provisions as part of comprehensive retirement planning.

One additional recommendation: request a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from your local Social Security office. This comprehensive report will show your entire earnings history, including which years qualify as substantial earnings under Social Security. It'll also provide projections for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, including any WEP or GPO adjustments that might apply. Based on what you've shared, if you've consistently paid into Social Security as a teacher and will have 30+ years of substantial earnings, you should be completely exempt from WEP. But the BPQY will confirm this with your actual earnings record.

BTW they change these rules all the time! My dad was a teacher and thought he was fine, then Congress changed the formula for WEP calculation the year before he retired and it cost him like $400/month in benefits. Keep an eye on legislation too.

To directly answer your original question: If you're currently teaching in a position where you pay into Social Security, and will have 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security by retirement, you will NOT be subject to WEP regardless of your pension. Since you mentioned you've been teaching for 12 years with Social Security coverage and will have around 30 years total by retirement, you appear to be on track for complete WEP exemption. Just make sure you've met the substantial earnings threshold (which increases slightly each year) for each of those 30 years.