I had seven years under Social Security when I went into federal service and the civil service retirement system in 1973. Around 1998 I had the opportunity to switch over to FERS and have SS taken out of my checks. I had the idea of picking up my additional quarters so I could also draw SS with my pension. I didn't want to lose those 7 years I had worked under SS. Now with all the yakyak going on about how the Fairness Act is irresponsible and all the hate coming our way for "getting a raise" and how it's our fault SS is going bankrupt and how they'll implement it, if ever. You know I feel like a quiet peaceful person who married into a loud bickering family. SS this and SS that. You never hear anything bad about civil service retirement and most of us are dying off anyway, but I almost wish I had just tossed those early work years under SS and stayed with civil service. Truthfully since Nov 12 when Fairness Act passed the House, I have been an emotional wreck. Would it pass and what an evil person I am to think I deserve more money. Hope they implement it soon so I can sleep again.
I'm sorry you've been having a hard time with this Chrystal. I have told people that repeal of WEP/GPO is a fact. Period. What I think about it is not relevant. What anyone else thinks/feels about it isn't either. This is the law. People were not happy when WEP/GPO were passed; people are not happy now that it's been repealed but here we are. I hope your sense of peace returns soon.
Great presentation! First one that gave a clear and concise explanation of this Bill. I am a retired CSRS employee who has been effected by GPO ansd so glad it was repealed!, Thank you
I've been a victim of WEP since I retired. I worked in FICA jobs for 15 years prior to USPS, and worked part time jobs while at the post office,, then worked another 7 years after retirement from USPS. 18 months of that full time in one job and part time in another. I paid into FICA for 53 years. Since the government is involved, I'll believe my meager Social Security will go up only when I see it in my bank account. I will not be holding my breath.
I understand your feelings about it. The SSA website will be updated as implementation occurs. It may be worth keeping an eye on. www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
I worked for the Post Office for 39 years and I receive a pension under csrs. I also worked before during and after in jobs where I paid in to social security and have my 40 credits. I am currently receiving $189 from social security. Will my benefits increase?
@ Not exactly. I had twenty one credits when I retired from the post office and took another full time job until I built up to forty credits then completely retired.
My situation is the same as yours 39 years at the P.O. CSRS pension, and currently getting 257.00 from Social Security, it will be interesting to how they calculate future payments.
@@larrynelms5990Please understand that this is ONLY an estimate. If you had the bare minimum (40 credits) your monthly benefit will increase approximately $613 1,226 x .4 (what you’ve been getting for the top line) = 490.40 1,226 x .9 (with repeal of WEP) = 1,103.40
Thank you for your explanation of Social Security Fairness Act. So if a retired government worker who never earned SS credits or who have less than 40 credits, these retired workers will receive nothing unless they are married to someone who do qualify?
When we talk about SS Retirement, we only qualify if we DO have 40 credits or are married to/divorced from someone with 40 credits (or are the dependent child of someone). Please be aware Disability is different. www.ssa.gov/retirement/eligibility
I have taught for 30 years, but also worked in the private sector just enough to get 40 credits. I get my teacher’s pension as well as $156.00 in social security (Medicare). My husband worked in the private sector for 42 years, but became disabled for the last 9 years of his life before passing in 2023. He was receiving disability benefits at the time of his death. Under the GPO am I entitled to survivors benefits at all?
Absolutely excellent explanation of WEP-GPO. There is so much info. on the internet that is bogus and even by self proclaimed "attorneys." This host is very good. I had a PIA of $1849 @ 70 years of age and retired from law enforcement 25 years prior. Worked in the private sector before, during and after my non SSA paying LEO career. At 70 in Oct.2024, SSA took $772 a month from my $1849 PIA and gave me $1122 a month. What retroactive pay will I get and what will my monthly benefit be now after the Fairness Act has passed. I am a 2nd Generation Retired Big City Phila. Police Officer. My father was also and my mother was a victim of GPO. We were in a Dept. with one of the lowest pay of any PD in the Nation. And I'm having trouble making it now and still working @ 70. Can you estimate what my increase may be if any. Retired PPD
Thank you so much for the compliment and for your service. That's a tough job! The PIA of $1,849 included an enhancement because you didn't collect until 70. When we go beyond our full retirement age, they add 8% per year to the benefit. Any idea how many years of substantial earnings you had? www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf At the very most, (assuming you went from only 20 or fewer years of SE) you'd see an increase of $613. The average increase is quoted as being $360.
Where does the money to pay for this come from? Is it going to have a negative impact on how soon we run out of money (2035), and benefits need to be cut for everyone?
I am collecting SS and a county government pension. However, I paid into SS on my 30 year government job. So sounds like I dont qualify for WEP? I'm confused.
Yes, many government workers may have paid into SS, and yes many of the same workers at a different time paid into their pension plan. In California, public employees can work 10 years and receive a government pension, a really small pension though. You don't give much information, but yes it is possible to get both. You need to see what your pension is based on in years, and you also need to see what your SS was based on in quarters and how you paid in over the SS history. Ms Hatch says "As you paid into SS your entire career, the WEP did not impact you", which confuses me if you paid into SS and into a county pension plan at the same time? You do say "I paid into SS on my 30 year government job", so I guess you paid into 2 different retirement programs at the very same time! Expensive for you and the employer as the employer also contributes to each plan, but both? Hope you get what is yours!
If you were working somewhere else and paying Social Security, you were earning credits. If you accrued 40 credits, you would be eligible to receive a SS retirement. Did you retire from CSRS? If so, the WEP would have reduced your SS benefits unless you had 30 years of substantial earnings.
Wrong- you said this law was for people who did. It pay into Social Security. A retired teacher here- paid into Social Security from other part time jobs and I am eligible now for spousal support.
Thanks for jumping right into “wrong!” That always makes people like me who are just trying to help by providing free information want to provide assistance. I said, the WEP/GPO only affects people who worked in jobs that did not pay into SS. That is a factual statement.
Hello and thank you for this video. I retired from the Federal Gov in 2021 with 33 yrs. I also worked in private sector. I retired under CSRS Offset. My social security was impacted by WEP am I eligible for an increase under the Fairness Act? My pension was reduced based on the amount I would receive from social security.
Hi Bobbie. As you’ve said, yes, WEP has impacted those under CSRS-Offset if the individual didn’t have 30 years of substantial earnings. With repeal of WEP, you should see your SS benefit increase. Your top line will now be 90% vs whatever it has been, as I discussed in the video. You raise an interesting question as to whether or not your federal pension will change though. Per Chapter 50 of the OPM CSRS/FERS Handbook, your Offset has been the lesser of these two equations: 1. The difference between your SS benefit including and excluding time as an Offset. 2. Your SS benefit, including time as an Offset, multiplied by a fraction: numerator - years under Offset divided by denominator - 40. When your SS numbers change, it is possible that this could increase the amount of the offset (reduction) to your CSRS benefit. The law was just signed on 5 January. At this point, OPM has not provided any guidance on the issue. I will keep my eyes open. More to come…
I worked at IRS from 1979 till 2016. I have ssa years before during and after. In 1998 they allowed us to switch to FERS. I have 19 years csrs and 18 years FERs. I have about 35 years under ssa but lots of part time jobs. Im 70 now my opm says my retirement is 2 components. Fers and cars . The 19 years knock down my SSA allotment. About 400.00. i only 21 substantial years. Ive worked 52 years. So yes some csrs to fers are it. But only like 200,000 did this. I was sold on it because it alowed higher amount for tsp. Here is me 52 years work, 35 Plus under ssa, 18 fers, 19 csrs ..only 21 substantial...so yes we are a small grouo but yes hit with wep. My ssa estinate about 2016 was 1331 i got 912.00 they kept saying your under wep your down about 28% this was news to me. Back in 1998 that was not clear. i was fra in 2020 when i applied at 66 she kept saying you are subject to wep
Many here do not realize that a retiree who was a CSRS to FERS transfer has their FERS pension calculated using a CSRS component. The CSRS years are calculated using CSRS rules and the FERS years are calculated using FERS rules. The CSRS years where nothing was paid into SS result in a penalty under WEP. My situation is the same as yours.
@tonipant8342 your one of the few. We had this one time option. Even a slate blue work book, it allowed me to capture years I worked before IRS and to get more in tsp..so I switched. But found out at 66 that my SS was reduced by my csrs time. Glad to hear from you. Thanks
In my video, I did say this doesn't impact FERS employees. What I meant - and I do accept responsibility, and apologize, for not being crystal clear - was "pure FERS employees/retirees". TransFERS are a whole different animal. Your FERS component calculated under FERS; and your CSRS component calculated under CSRS. As "part of your retirement IS from a system that did not pay into Social Security" WEP did apply. GPO did not.
I am effected by the Fairness Act due to GPO. My late husband, worked in the Social Security system and I worked in the PERS system! Will their be tax on the retroactive pay? Thank you for your assistance in this matter!
Thanks for asking, Margaret. I don’t know - and, in reality, no one does at this point. The law was just signed on 5 January. We are now waiting for OPM, SSA, and the IRS to write implementing regulations. I shared what we know. There is much more to come.
Michael, SS was created in 1935. Most women did not work outside of the home at that time. Even now, dependents (spouse, children, sometimes even parents) are eligible for benefits. Not everyone has paid in their entire lives.
Well they'll be doing extra good now while all of us who are on regular social security will be scraping to come up with enough money to keep us safe during the month!
@carolbrandt1086 set down and count all the money that you paid into social security. Then count all the money you receive if you're retired. I have gotten thousands of dollars more than I ever paid in. Best interest rate a guy could ever have.
I'm a teacher who hasn't paid in but have 20 credits in part time jobs from prior employment. I don't see myself getting high paying FICA paying job. Should I still consider trying to catch up to earn those 20 credits to get my SS benefit? Tough trying to think about a part time job 😬 in addition to daily teaching work. Thanks for any insights.
If you are married to a person who pays OASDI, then that individual starts collecting, so long as you are 62 or older, you are eligible to collect based on that person’s record. Prior to this repeal, you could not. If you are not married to someone paying in, to get anything, you would need 40 credits. $1,810 equals one credit in 2025. If you get 20 more, you earn a benefit. If you decide you do not want to work under SS, then you collect your teacher’s pension and whatever savings/investments you have. It’s a tough decision. I get it. You’re really busy as it is. PS Thank you for your service!! Teachers make a huge difference.
Debbie, great presentation! I retired from Law Enforcement but worked off duty jobs and jobs since I retired. I'm now 80 yrs old. I started collecting s.s. at age 66. I don't remember the amount I was suppose to receive but I believe it was $1488. They paid me $500 and said since I was a Viet Nam Vet, I would get another $50 for total of $550. I'm confused, do I do the calculations up until I started collecting S.S. to determine the amount when I started collecting or total amount through the years since I started collecting. Thanks for any help you can give.
Thank you Jerry - for your compliment and your service - in the military and in law enforcement. There is nothing for you to do other than make sure your address and current direct deposit information is accurate with the Social Security Administration. You should see an increase once everything is said and done. As the agency implements the repeal, they will be posting updates on their website (www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html). Stay tuned there. More to come...
WRONG!!! At least partially! I earned 25 years of substantial earnings of 35 years of working. All my work was covered employment. I earned 100-k in wages, plus 50-k in fringe benefits, the 5 years before retiring early on SSDI There are 800,000 or so Americans, out of the 3 million other citizens affected by WEP and GPO! I am one of those 800,000. We are drawing SSDI, and our State Workers Compensation benefits concurrently! I , along with my employers, paid into BOTH, MANDATORY INSURANCE PROGRAMS!!! In my case, I had worked for 35 years, prior to becoming disabled due to a workplace accident. I was NEVER a “government employee “. The full value of BOTH state workers compensation, and SSDI( after the penalty) equals 90% of my wages at onset of disability. This doesn’t include $50,000.00 per year in fringes, which included several retirement benefits, and decent medical benefits. WEP and GPO limited the amount of SSDI and Work Compensation to 80% of my wages, legally ROBBING me of what I paid for over 35 years!
As stated in the email I sent to you, Allen, we - here on the Internet - are doing the best we can to get information out on a law that was signed, literally days ago. We’re doing it for free. I’m sorry you don’t feel the quality is up to your standards. I most certainly DID mention that this affects some government workers, some state/county workers, some teachers, and “others if they worked under a system not paying into Social Security.” I also mentioned that I was NOT talking about the SS Disability program. That program has many complicated rules and I would never profess to be an expert at it. My channel IS geared towards federal employees as I am a federal retirement specialist. Perhaps you can do a search for SSDI & H.R. 82 and find something more geared towards your personal situation.
@ no dispersion re your quality! As I replied via email, I am genuinely surprised, that one third of the 3% some of your peers on RUclips are whining about, aren’t considered. Perhaps it’s just that the numbers of those who never worked a government job, and contributed to SS are not significant enough? Keep up your good channel!
@@altriplett9099 Perhaps. Or maybe it’s just that there is so much more to figure out. I don’t know. Definitely more to come. Thank you for the compliment.
"Throwing the baby out with the Bathwater" SS calculates your benefits on the highest 35 years of income you worked. Those years of non-covered income create an erroneously lower AIME, and a higher-than-intended PIA. That's inequitable, unreasonable, and unjust. "Cut off one's nose to spite one's face" While WEP is now eliminated, non-covered pensions are still valid and still being offered, so the underlying problem still remains. Consequently, how does SS offset the missing SS contributions, from non-covered pensions?
Will HR82 apply to me if I took out my retirement. I worked for State for almost 5 years. I've been on Social Security for 8 years. Worked with SSA taxes taken out for over 25 years.
Correction: you said this law was for people who did not pay into Social Security. I did when I worked part time the same years I was also a teacher. SS takes your earned benefit into consideration first, and if that benefit is less than 50% of your spouse’s benefit, the balance you will receive adds up to 50% of your spousal benefit. Just wanted to clarify that now that gpo has been repealed, I am eligible for spousal benefit and I also contributed to SS.
If 2 spouses both work, they are only eligible for spousal benefits if the spousal benefit is MORE than their own. So the GPO only treated CSRS people the same as people who paid into social security. The average CSRS pension you showed was over $5000 a month. MUCH higher than average social security payments. Now these people will also be able to draw spousal/survivors benefits and essentially collect 2 benefits--double dipping. I think its ridiculous. Spouses who paid into social security only get the 1 benefit whichever is more.
This is not a new benefit, Bobby. This is repeal of two prior penalties. Did you ever work in a job that did not pay into Social Security? If not, no, this does not affect you.
@@debbiehatch8016 I worked in textile industry when I broke my back when I was 30 years young and I have been getting social security every since and I'm 55 now
Hi Debbie I was a FERS retiree from 1987-2007 My husband retired military for 20yrs and after active he works Postal service for 10yrs Are we entitled with this Fairness Act
I'm assuming - and please correct me if I'm wrong - that your husband is under FERS. If that is correct, neither of you were negatively impacted by WEP/GPO meaning this repeal does not affect you.
I’m a retired school employee, I receive a pension but I am not receiving my widow SS benefit from from husband. This law will change that. Will I get his full benefits.
I have a question. I have SSDI, with Spouse Survivor benefits. I am 61, and I am planning to change my status to regular Social Security benefits; when I am 62 next year. I understand the chart, there's a penalty reduction. What happens to my benefits, since I am already on SSDI ? Will it be reduce ?
Hello, and thank you for this information. I have a question concerning my personal situation, and maybe you can give me clarity. I worked and retired from a New York State Civil Service job, Department of Mental Health, for 30 years. I paid into Social Security, and I also paid into a New York State pension. I'm currently receiving social security benefits and receiving my pension payments. Do I qualify under the WEP LAW? Thank you for any clarification!
As the State pension you are receiving came from a job that was participating in SS, WEP did not apply to you. That means this repeal will have no impact on you either.
I worked overseas as a military dependent 1980-1985 as a GS-5 Gov employee which 4 was. CRS upon returning to the states I was under FERS I retired at 62 Yrs of age as a GS-5 nurse. My income for 3 Yrs worked overseas did not reflect on my SSI retirement benifits. Please someone help or direct me to a good source. Thanks
The earnings you made in a CSRS position would not have been reflected in your SS retirement benefits. That's correct. CSRS employees do not pay in. As you did not have 5 years under CSRS, you retired purely under FERS. The WEP/GPO did not apply to you; their repeal also does not impact you.
No. The SS formula is .4 (or now .9) of $1,226. That’s a maximum increase of $613. The Congressional record shows, “Under the Social Security Fairness Act, over 2.1 million retirees on Social Security will receive an average increase of $360 per month. Furthermore, over 700,000 surviving spouses will see an increase between $700 and $1,190 in their monthly benefits, on average.”
Your video was very informative however there wasnt any mention of ELY. My understanding is based on the year you turn 65 and given the number of years you paid into SS, they can only subtract a certain amount of money from your SS payment. For example: I worked 10 years prior to working in Federal government, hence I became a CSRS employee. I retired after 33 years of service @ the age of 61. I was rehired as a contractor and have been paying into SS for the past 8 years making an above average salary. When I retire, @ the age of 69, will the ELY come into play? I believe the chart shows $428.00 for my age and
Thanks for the compliment Susie. I didn't mention ELY because this was not a full blown Social Security presentation. It was only attempting to cover the repeal. I didn't feel I could talk about that without at least giving some basics of how the calculation is normally done. With 40 credits, we are eligible at 62 or older. Full Retirement Age though is 66 - 67 with so many months in between, depending on year of birth. The monthly retirement benefits are reduced or increased based on your age after WEP reduces your ELY benefit. For 2025, the earnings limit is $23,400. People making more than that, AND drawing SS under full retirement age, will see benefits reduced $1 for every $2 about the limit they earn. In the year the person turns FRA, the earnings limit increases to $62,160 with a $1 for every $3 reduction. Once FRA, the earnings limit goes away. The maximum reduction in Social Security benefits based on Ely is calculated as 36 months times 5/9 of 1 percent plus 24 months times 5/12 of 1 percent. At 69, it will not apply to you.
My question is about survivor benefits My husband started taking SS 1995 at 62 years old only reduced for taking it at 62 years old. He died 5/23/2018 Will my benefit be based on what his amount would have been on 12/31/2023 taking into effect COLA's from 2018 to 2023? . I called my local office at 9:15 AM Jan 6 call was answered in 2 min and phone appointment is set for Jan 28th I told the agent that due to the bill being signed by President Biden yesterday that I now would qualify for survivor benefits and he asked what bill? I don't think he was joking
Hi Marie, Try to be patient with the SSA. There is so much to try to keep up with and they don’t have all of the answers yet. The law was just signed on 5 January. SSA is working on implementing regulations at this point. Are you, yourself, a person who worked in a job that did not pay into Social Security? I need to know this in order to answer your question. This new law does not negate penalties for drawing SS under one’s full retirement age. This would not change the amount of your late husband’s benefit.
@@debbiehatch8016 Yes I am a retired Air Traffic Controller under CSRS and taking reduced SS on my other covered jobs. I did not mean to seem unkind. I was quite surprised with the local SS office answering my call and setting up an appointment so soon. I expected to wait for hours and an appointment months into the future. I was just surprised that the SS specialist did not know of the bill. Will the COLA's for the years after his death be applied to my survivor benefit. He was collecting 12,440 per year (this included the reduction for taking it at 62 years old) when he died If I add the COLA's for the years up to 2024 I get 15,570. Just dreaming about paying off the 9,000 I just financed for the roof replacement after the hurricane. I understand that I would get the larger of my benefit or the survivor benefit. Thank you for your video. I have attended many seminars before retiring and your explanation is by far superior. I never thought I would see any of my husbands benefit.
@@debbiehatch8016 Yes I retired as an Air Traffic Controller under the CSRS. I also worked at jobs paying into SS. I am collecting a small about of SS at this time. I did not mean to sound unkind. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly the phone call was answered and the appointment made. I expected to wait for hours on hold and appointment to be months from now. When my husband passed 2018 he was collecting 12,440 a YR in SS benefits (this was the reduced amount for taking it at 62 years of age) If I add the COLA's for the years 2019 to 2024 the amount now would be 15,570 a year give or take. I am just dreaming about the retro amount to pay off the 9,000 I financed of the 17,600 I paid to have my roof replaced after the last hurricane. Talk about spending it before I get it! I attended several seminars before retirement to understand WEP & GPO but your explaination is by far superior. I promise to be patient. I do understand that I will not get both benefits but the amount of the larger one. My benefit and survivor benefit added to equal his benefit. I never expected to see any survivor benefit so what ever it is will be appreciated.
I worked and had SS taken out. So I had enough credits to draw my own SS. Got laid off and got a job working for a school system. Retired 14 years ago. I had to turn in my school retirement and sooo my SS was almost cut in half. I felt like I was denied all that SS. I paid into and was being punished for working school which they don’t take out SS. Will I be getting money that I was denied cause I worked for school system?
I understand your feelings. You will not be getting all of that money, retroactively. That said, since WEP has been repealed, once everything is implemented, you should see your Social Security monthly benefit increase.
I have a question regarding health insurance. Have you known anyone that canceled their FEHB coverage and purchased a Medicare Plan G or N ? And are there any advantages to this ? I’m paying $608 monthly for self plus one with BCBS basic. Looking online I see Plan G going for $127 for one individual .
Fyi. We thought about it, but Medicare as primary and Bcbs Federal Basic as secondary will give you $800 back from Bcbs. They also pay all co-pays and deductibles after Medicare does the adjustments and initial pay. It seem like a no brainer for us. But we are in our early 70's so a sup would be way over what you are offered. 😮
The Medicare/FEHB decision is one most people struggle with. Please know that if you cancel FEHB in retirement, that is a permanent decision (and not a good one). You can never come back into the progam. IF you get a Medicare Advantage plan, you can suspend your FEHB and return during a future open season if you'd like - sooner if you lose coverage under the other plan. www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/ri79-9.pdf This would at least mean, if you're not happy with the other plan, you could come back to FEHB. Also be aware that there are 130 different FEHB plan combinations available in 2025. While Fed Blue reimburses up to $800 per year for Medicare premiums (www.fepblue.org/our-plans/medicare/medicare-reimbursement#:~:text=FEP%20Blue%20Basic%20members%20who,pay%20Medicare%20Part%20B%20premiums), you may find another FEHB plan that will work well as a Medicare Supplement but cost you less. Worth noting, as another poster already said - when you have Medicare A, Medicare B, and FEHB; most FEHB plans waive co-pays and deductibles and they pick up the Medicare co-pays/deductibles leaving you only to pay premiums - which can be substantial for sure. ;
Great video but I am still a bit confused. I started collecting in 2016 and the SSA said that since I had a teacher pension but I had substantial earnings, I would only get 50% of my benefit. I currently get $1933 a month before deductions. Any idea how much I may get after the Fairnes act passed? Thanks in advance for any help.
Thanks for the compliment, Andy. Please understand that this is a rough calculation. If they told you, it was 50%, that is 50% of the top line of a 3 line calculation. It would mean you paid into SS for 22 years. For this year 50% X 1,226 (the first bend point) = 613. With the repeal, that line would be 90% instead of 50%; a difference of $490.40 per month.
That is YOUR perception James. My personal opinion was not discussed at any point in this video nor in any of the comments I've responded to. You don't know me and you do not know how I "feel" about it. That is not relevant.
Very clear presentation. Just one question. Will SSA recompute my 2 option (self benefit and spousal benefit) and award the higher amount going forth as well as back pay from January 2024? I’m CSRS retiree and awarded the reduced self benefit.
Thank you so much for the compliment. I'm glad you found this helpful. Social Security benefits are recomputed annually. With the repeal of WEP/GPO, yes your benefit will be recalculated. As far as "back pay" and how any of that works, remains to be seen. That will have to be part of the implementing regulations - they are not out yet. More to come. Stay tuned here: www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
The question is when is Social Security going to implement the Social Security Fairness Act Biden Signed.I get SSI an Small Disability Pension Social Security has Reduced my SSI Because of my Disability Pension my Employer did not pay into Social Security.
All I can tell you is that they are working on it. There are still a number of things that need to be clarified. More to come… www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
Gina, WEP affects our own earned benefit based on our personal high-35 years of paying in. The GPO affects spousal benefits. Yes, if you were married to your ex for at least ten years, you have been divorced for at least two, and you are not married, you can receive a SS benefit equal to your earned amount of half of your ex spouse’s earned amount. The higher of the two, not both. You worked for the government - was it under CSRS? Offset or FERS?
I received SSI and they switched me to SSA I was disabled broke my back actually I'm 55 now and I have never received the full amount of social security would I fail under this fairness act that president Biden signed into act
Do you receive a pension, any part of which, comes from a job that did not pay into Social Security, Bobby? If no, no this does not have any impact on you. It is a repeal of two past penalties - it is not a new benefit.
@debbiehatch8016 I was working when I broke my back I was working in textile Mills in North Carolina and no I don't receive anything other than regular social security now
I am marjorie Garrett I retired 3 Aug90 and was an early out at 60 I was penalized by WEP&GPO I I paid my retirement back. why amI not qualifiedmet my 40 qtrs and when I returned to work I Nov 87 and worked almost three years and retired,. why am I not qualified?
@@MarjorieGarrett-x3sNot sure exactly why you’re asking the question. IF you have your 40 quarters but retired from a system that didn’t pay in (which you must have, if WEP/GPO applied to you) then you ARE qualified. What am I missing?
I CSRS retiree, age 74. I retired with 33 years of service. In retirement, I worked an additional fourteen years under the SS system. I am currently drawing SS, but I would like to know just how much my retirement has been reduced. How do I calculate my new retirement? Thank you very much for this concise and informative video, I can't tell you just how much it helped clarify the past and the future.
I'm thrilled you found value in the video. Thanks for letting me know. I can only do a rough calculation for you. The Social Security Administration will do the actual numbers. If you paid into SS for 14 years, the top line of your calculation is currently 40% X 1,226. Without WEP, that line will be 90% - a maximum increase of $613 / month.
@@debbiehatch8016 Thank you very much for your quick response. I will look at doing the math. FYI, I was not able to contact you through the email address you provided. Best regards, dick
I WORKED FOR 7 YEARS AND PAID INTO SS. THEN I WORKED FOR 26 YEARS IN THE FEDERAL GOVT AND DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO SS. THEN I WORKED 15 YEARS AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AND PAID INTO SS FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR! WHAT COULD I EXPECT MY SS INCREASE LUMP SUM AND INCREASE TO BE! I DID NOT START DRAWING SS UNTIL AGE 70.
Larry, I can't calculate your full benefit for you. WEP only effects the first line of your three line benefit calculation. There won't be a lump sum paid, retroactively. You would see your month benefit increase. It appears you paid into SS for 22 years - provided they were all "substantial", the first line of your computation would have been 50% X 1,226 ($613). It would now be 90% X 1,226 ($1,103.40); a difference of $490.40.
Nice explanation, I wouldn't use the phrase "get half of my spouses benefit". The first thing my wife said is I am not splitting my check with you. Maybe use entitled to an amount equal to half my spouse's benefit.
Dear Debbie. I deleted my long post after realizing how busy you are with so many others at no charge to you. I will do my own research. Thank you very much for your very informative videos. Hope you keep your sanity with those with little patience. ❤
Wow, I just checked on some of your newer people posting, and there are some angry 😡 upset folks. If they read your bio from your website they would realize you are truly a expert. Not like the others. Good luck, Remember your trying to explain something that doesn't make sense to most struggling fellow Americans. 😮
The GPO was first enacted in 1977 under Carter Administration. It reduced the spousal benefit dollar for dollar of the non-covered Gov pension amount. The GPO was modified in 1983 under the Reagan Administration to reduce by 2/3 of the non-covered pension amount. Not quite as harsh a penalty as the original law but still bad.
@@TeresaMcClellan The history, for me, doesn’t matter. GPO was what it was; and it has now been repealed. But the writer is not wrong. www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/program-explainers/government-pension-offset.html
I think the history is important here. From what I understand through some reading, Jimmy Carter was initially opposed to the legislation. Under Reagan, it was changed from the dollar for dollar to 2/3 reduction. This indicates to me they knew it was wrong and unfair. It is unfortunate for those that have been hurt by this for so many years.
What's happened is that two previous penalties have been repealed. It's not a new benefit. While working as a nurse - and thank you for that service - were you paying into Social Security? If so, the penalty did not impact you, meaning the repeal also doesn't.
You asked what are you missing I didn't think it went further than 83 and not 90. Iretured to work after 15 yyra and working on my 40 quarters returned. to work and put on offset for about 3 yrs and retired early out 3 Aug 90. I had no cho.. retired and received 1/2 of his he retired Dec 31 1989 at 62 he paid social all yrs' I paid my lump some back on what I got when I quit.
Hi - outstanding presentation! You are the first one that has clearly explained what is happening. Great PowerPoints!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so very much for letting me know.
@123itsMrJD Yes, agreed!
You have such a clear and concise voice and organized information. Well done & thank you!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to send a message.
In conclusion, if your six sec benefits were diminished due to WEP or WEB, you will now receive what rightfully earned. Too bad it took 40 yrs. 😢
Yes, correct.
Best explanation I have heard thus far! And yes railway retirees are included!
Yes they are. Sorry I didn’t specifically call that group out 😊
I had seven years under Social Security when I went into federal service and the civil service retirement system in 1973. Around 1998 I had the opportunity to switch over to FERS and have SS taken out of my checks. I had the idea of picking up my additional quarters so I could also draw SS with my pension. I didn't want to lose those 7 years I had worked under SS. Now with all the yakyak going on about how the Fairness Act is irresponsible and all the hate coming our way for "getting a raise" and how it's our fault SS is going bankrupt and how they'll implement it, if ever. You know I feel like a quiet peaceful person who married into a loud bickering family. SS this and SS that. You never hear anything bad about civil service retirement and most of us are dying off anyway, but I almost wish I had just tossed those early work years under SS and stayed with civil service. Truthfully since Nov 12 when Fairness Act passed the House, I have been an emotional wreck. Would it pass and what an evil person I am to think I deserve more money. Hope they implement it soon so I can sleep again.
I'm sorry you've been having a hard time with this Chrystal. I have told people that repeal of WEP/GPO is a fact. Period. What I think about it is not relevant. What anyone else thinks/feels about it isn't either. This is the law. People were not happy when WEP/GPO were passed; people are not happy now that it's been repealed but here we are. I hope your sense of peace returns soon.
Great presentation! First one that gave a clear and concise explanation of this Bill. I am a retired CSRS employee who has been effected by GPO ansd so glad it was repealed!, Thank you
Finally, someone that can clearly talk about this act that we can understand! Thank you so much!
I’m thrilled you found the presentation helpful. Thank you so much for letting me know.
Debbie, great video. Appreciate your thorough explanation of the SSA program.
Thank you Susan. I’m glad you found it helpful.
I've been a victim of WEP since I retired. I worked in FICA jobs for 15 years prior to USPS, and worked part time jobs while at the post office,, then worked another 7 years after retirement from USPS. 18 months of that full time in one job and part time in another. I paid into FICA for 53 years.
Since the government is involved, I'll believe my meager Social Security will go up only when I see it in my bank account.
I will not be holding my breath.
I understand your feelings about it. The SSA website will be updated as implementation occurs. It may be worth keeping an eye on.
www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
Me, either 😭
This is the best information,Thank you
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much.
I worked for the Post Office for 39 years and I receive a pension under csrs. I also worked before during and after in jobs where I paid in to social security and have my 40 credits. I am currently receiving $189 from social security. Will my benefits increase?
Yes they will. Do you know how many years of substantial SS earnings you have?
@ Not exactly. I had twenty one credits when I retired from the post office and took another full time job until I built up to forty credits then completely retired.
My situation is the same as yours 39 years at the P.O. CSRS pension, and currently getting 257.00 from Social Security, it will be interesting to how they calculate future payments.
@@larrynelms5990Please understand that this is ONLY an estimate. If you had the bare minimum (40 credits) your monthly benefit will increase approximately $613
1,226 x .4 (what you’ve been getting for the top line) = 490.40
1,226 x .9 (with repeal of WEP) = 1,103.40
@ Thank you very much!
Thank you for your explanation of Social Security Fairness Act. So if a retired government worker who never earned SS credits or who have less than 40 credits, these retired workers will receive nothing unless they are married to someone who do qualify?
When we talk about SS Retirement, we only qualify if we DO have 40 credits or are married to/divorced from someone with 40 credits (or are the dependent child of someone). Please be aware Disability is different.
www.ssa.gov/retirement/eligibility
@debbiehatch8016 thank you
I have taught for 30 years, but also worked in the private sector just enough to get 40 credits. I get my teacher’s pension as well as $156.00 in social security (Medicare). My husband worked in the private sector for 42 years, but became disabled for the last 9 years of his life before passing in 2023. He was receiving disability benefits at the time of his death. Under the GPO am I entitled to survivors benefits at all?
With passage of this law, and repeal of the GPO, yes. You will now be able to collect on your late husband’s record of paying in.
Absolutely excellent explanation of WEP-GPO. There is so much info. on the internet that is bogus and even by self proclaimed "attorneys." This host is very good. I had a PIA of $1849 @ 70 years of age and retired from law enforcement 25 years prior. Worked in the private sector before, during and after my non SSA paying LEO career. At 70 in Oct.2024, SSA took $772 a month from my $1849 PIA and gave me $1122 a month. What retroactive pay will I get and what will my monthly benefit be now after the Fairness Act has passed. I am a 2nd Generation Retired Big City Phila. Police Officer. My father was also and my mother was a victim of GPO. We were in a Dept. with one of the lowest pay of any PD in the Nation. And I'm having trouble making it now and still working @ 70. Can you estimate what my increase may be if any. Retired PPD
Thank you so much for the compliment and for your service. That's a tough job! The PIA of $1,849 included an enhancement because you didn't collect until 70. When we go beyond our full retirement age, they add 8% per year to the benefit. Any idea how many years of substantial earnings you had? www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf At the very most, (assuming you went from only 20 or fewer years of SE) you'd see an increase of $613. The average increase is quoted as being $360.
@debbiehatch8016 thank you Debbie for getting back with me. Ret. PPD
Where does the money to pay for this come from? Is it going to have a negative impact on how soon we run out of money (2035), and benefits need to be cut for everyone?
That remains to be seen Tony. I don't have the answer. www.cbo.gov/publication/60690
Yes, you are STILL Working, and Earning credits,we are Elderly, Disabled and hurting Financially,EVERY Month, since beginning to Collect.😮
I am collecting SS and a county government pension. However, I paid into SS on my 30 year government job. So sounds like I dont qualify for WEP? I'm confused.
As you paid into SS your entire career, the WEP did not impact you. That means this repeal will not impact you either. No change.
Yes, many government workers may have paid into SS, and yes many of the same workers at a different time paid into their pension plan. In California, public employees can work 10 years and receive a government pension, a really small pension though. You don't give much information, but yes it is possible to get both. You need to see what your pension is based on in years, and you also need to see what your SS was based on in quarters and how you paid in over the SS history. Ms Hatch says "As you paid into SS your entire career, the WEP did not impact you", which confuses me if you paid into SS and into a county pension plan at the same time? You do say "I paid into SS on my 30 year government job", so I guess you paid into 2 different retirement programs at the very same time! Expensive for you and the employer as the employer also contributes to each plan, but both? Hope you get what is yours!
what if i also worked a second full time where i was paying ss while i was employed under CSRS at the same.
If you were working somewhere else and paying Social Security, you were earning credits. If you accrued 40 credits, you would be eligible to receive a SS retirement. Did you retire from CSRS? If so, the WEP would have reduced your SS benefits unless you had 30 years of substantial earnings.
Your presentation is truly excellent!!!😊
Thank you most sincerely. I'm glad it was helpful.
Wrong- you said this law was for people who did. It pay into Social Security. A retired teacher here- paid into Social Security from other part time jobs and I am eligible now for spousal support.
Thanks for jumping right into “wrong!” That always makes people like me who are just trying to help by providing free information want to provide assistance.
I said, the WEP/GPO only affects people who worked in jobs that did not pay into SS. That is a factual statement.
Hello and thank you for this video.
I retired from the Federal Gov in 2021 with 33 yrs. I also worked in private sector.
I retired under CSRS Offset. My social security was impacted by WEP am I eligible for an increase under the Fairness Act?
My pension was reduced based on the amount I would receive from social security.
Hi Bobbie. As you’ve said, yes, WEP has impacted those under CSRS-Offset if the individual didn’t have 30 years of substantial earnings.
With repeal of WEP, you should see your SS benefit increase. Your top line will now be 90% vs whatever it has been, as I discussed in the video.
You raise an interesting question as to whether or not your federal pension will change though.
Per Chapter 50 of the OPM CSRS/FERS Handbook, your Offset has been the lesser of these two equations:
1. The difference between your SS benefit including and excluding time as an Offset.
2. Your SS benefit, including time as an Offset, multiplied by a fraction: numerator - years under Offset divided by denominator - 40.
When your SS numbers change, it is possible that this could increase the amount of the offset (reduction) to your CSRS benefit.
The law was just signed on 5 January. At this point, OPM has not provided any guidance on the issue.
I will keep my eyes open. More to come…
I worked at IRS from 1979 till 2016. I have ssa years before during and after. In 1998 they allowed us to switch to FERS. I have 19 years csrs and 18 years FERs. I have about 35 years under ssa but lots of part time jobs. Im 70 now my opm says my retirement is 2 components. Fers and cars . The 19 years knock down my SSA allotment. About 400.00. i only 21 substantial years. Ive worked 52 years. So yes some csrs to fers are it. But only like 200,000 did this. I was sold on it because it alowed higher amount for tsp. Here is me 52 years work, 35 Plus under ssa, 18 fers, 19 csrs ..only 21 substantial...so yes we are a small grouo but yes hit with wep. My ssa estinate about 2016 was 1331 i got 912.00 they kept saying your under wep your down about 28% this was news to me. Back in 1998 that was not clear. i was fra in 2020 when i applied at 66 she kept saying you are subject to wep
Many here do not realize that a retiree who was a CSRS to FERS transfer has their FERS pension calculated using a CSRS component. The CSRS years are calculated using CSRS rules and the FERS years are calculated using FERS rules. The CSRS years where nothing was paid into SS result in a penalty under WEP. My situation is the same as yours.
@tonipant8342 your one of the few. We had this one time option. Even a slate blue work book, it allowed me to capture years I worked before IRS and to get more in tsp..so I switched. But found out at 66 that my SS was reduced by my csrs time. Glad to hear from you. Thanks
In my video, I did say this doesn't impact FERS employees. What I meant - and I do accept responsibility, and apologize, for not being crystal clear - was "pure FERS employees/retirees".
TransFERS are a whole different animal. Your FERS component calculated under FERS; and your CSRS component calculated under CSRS. As "part of your retirement IS from a system that did not pay into Social Security" WEP did apply. GPO did not.
Absolutely correct.
@@debbiehatch8016 thank you so much. Doing well.
I am effected by the Fairness Act due to GPO. My late husband, worked in the Social Security system and I worked in the PERS system! Will their be tax on the retroactive pay?
Thank you for your assistance in this matter!
Thanks for asking, Margaret. I don’t know - and, in reality, no one does at this point. The law was just signed on 5 January. We are now waiting for OPM, SSA, and the IRS to write implementing regulations. I shared what we know. There is much more to come.
Just do the payments due to us that got robbed ..
I currently receive SOCIAL SECURITY earnings through SSDI. Does the new legislation reduce my SSDI payment?
Why isnt everyone considered the same having paod into ssi our entire life?
Michael, SS was created in 1935. Most women did not work outside of the home at that time. Even now, dependents (spouse, children, sometimes even parents) are eligible for benefits. Not everyone has paid in their entire lives.
@@debbiehatch8016 I was referring to government employees, teachers etc getting their amounts doubled and everyone else much much less.
Well they'll be doing extra good now while all of us who are on regular social security will be scraping to come up with enough money to keep us safe during the month!
@colinmccann7123 we earned this money ...no gift
@carolbrandt1086 set down and count all the money that you paid into social security. Then count all the money you receive if you're retired. I have gotten thousands of dollars more than I ever paid in. Best interest rate a guy could ever have.
I'm a teacher who hasn't paid in but have 20 credits in part time jobs from prior employment. I don't see myself getting high paying FICA paying job. Should I still consider trying to catch up to earn those 20 credits to get my SS benefit? Tough trying to think about a part time job 😬 in addition to daily teaching work. Thanks for any insights.
If you are married to a person who pays OASDI, then that individual starts collecting, so long as you are 62 or older, you are eligible to collect based on that person’s record. Prior to this repeal, you could not.
If you are not married to someone paying in, to get anything, you would need 40 credits. $1,810 equals one credit in 2025. If you get 20 more, you earn a benefit. If you decide you do not want to work under SS, then you collect your teacher’s pension and whatever savings/investments you have.
It’s a tough decision. I get it. You’re really busy as it is.
PS Thank you for your service!! Teachers make a huge difference.
Debbie, great presentation! I retired from Law Enforcement but worked off duty jobs and jobs since I retired. I'm now 80 yrs old. I started collecting s.s. at age 66. I don't remember the amount I was suppose to receive but I believe it was $1488. They paid me $500 and said since I was a Viet Nam Vet, I would get another $50 for total of $550. I'm confused, do I do the calculations up until I started collecting S.S. to determine the amount when I started collecting or total amount through the years since I started collecting. Thanks for any help you can give.
Thank you Jerry - for your compliment and your service - in the military and in law enforcement. There is nothing for you to do other than make sure your address and current direct deposit information is accurate with the Social Security Administration. You should see an increase once everything is said and done. As the agency implements the repeal, they will be posting updates on their website (www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html). Stay tuned there. More to come...
WRONG!!! At least partially!
I earned 25 years of substantial earnings of 35 years of working. All my work was covered employment. I earned 100-k in wages, plus 50-k in fringe benefits, the 5 years before retiring early on SSDI
There are 800,000 or so Americans, out of the 3 million other citizens affected by WEP and GPO!
I am one of those 800,000.
We are drawing SSDI, and our State Workers Compensation benefits concurrently!
I , along with my employers, paid into BOTH, MANDATORY INSURANCE PROGRAMS!!!
In my case, I had worked for 35 years, prior to becoming disabled due to a workplace accident. I was NEVER a “government employee “.
The full value of BOTH state workers compensation, and SSDI( after the penalty) equals 90% of my wages at onset of disability. This doesn’t include $50,000.00 per year in fringes, which included several retirement benefits, and decent medical benefits.
WEP and GPO limited the amount of SSDI and Work Compensation to 80% of my wages, legally ROBBING me of what I paid for over 35 years!
As stated in the email I sent to you, Allen, we - here on the Internet - are doing the best we can to get information out on a law that was signed, literally days ago.
We’re doing it for free. I’m sorry you don’t feel the quality is up to your standards.
I most certainly DID mention that this affects some government workers, some state/county workers, some teachers, and “others if they worked under a system not paying into Social Security.” I also mentioned that I was NOT talking about the SS Disability program. That program has many complicated rules and I would never profess to be an expert at it.
My channel IS geared towards federal employees as I am a federal retirement specialist.
Perhaps you can do a search for SSDI & H.R. 82 and find something more geared towards your personal situation.
@ no dispersion re your quality! As I replied via email, I am genuinely surprised, that one third of the 3% some of your peers on RUclips are whining about, aren’t considered. Perhaps it’s just that the numbers of those who never worked a government job, and contributed to SS are not significant enough?
Keep up your good channel!
@@altriplett9099 Perhaps. Or maybe it’s just that there is so much more to figure out. I don’t know. Definitely more to come.
Thank you for the compliment.
@@debbiehatch8016 you’re welcome!
"Throwing the baby out with the Bathwater"
SS calculates your benefits on the highest 35 years of income you worked. Those years of non-covered income create an erroneously lower AIME, and a higher-than-intended PIA. That's inequitable, unreasonable, and unjust.
"Cut off one's nose to spite one's face"
While WEP is now eliminated, non-covered pensions are still valid and still being offered, so the underlying problem still remains. Consequently, how does SS offset the missing SS contributions, from non-covered pensions?
Will HR82 apply to me if I took out my retirement. I worked for State for almost 5 years. I've been on Social Security for 8 years. Worked with SSA taxes taken out for over 25 years.
If you “took out” your retirement, means you are not collecting a retirement from work that didn’t participate in SS, this changes nothing for you.
Correction: you said this law was for people who did not pay into Social Security. I did when I worked part time the same years I was also a teacher. SS takes your earned benefit into consideration first, and if that benefit is less than 50% of your spouse’s benefit, the balance you will receive adds up to 50% of your spousal benefit. Just wanted to clarify that now that gpo has been repealed, I am eligible for spousal benefit and I also contributed to SS.
Yes, what you’ve said is correct and I also talked about it in the video. There’s no correction. You took one statement out of context.
If 2 spouses both work, they are only eligible for spousal benefits if the spousal benefit is MORE than their own. So the GPO only treated CSRS people the same as people who paid into social security. The average CSRS pension you showed was over $5000 a month. MUCH higher than average social security payments. Now these people will also be able to draw spousal/survivors benefits and essentially collect 2 benefits--double dipping. I think its ridiculous. Spouses who paid into social security only get the 1 benefit whichever is more.
You are entitled to your opinion. I didn’t provide mine - merely presented information as set out in the new law.
Are you eligible for this if you receive social security and you under 65
This is not a new benefit, Bobby. This is repeal of two prior penalties. Did you ever work in a job that did not pay into Social Security? If not, no, this does not affect you.
@@debbiehatch8016 yes I was working in the textile industry in North Carolina when my back was broke
@@debbiehatch8016 I worked in textile industry when I broke my back when I was 30 years young and I have been getting social security every since and I'm 55 now
Hi Debbie
I was a FERS retiree from 1987-2007
My husband retired military for 20yrs and after active he works Postal service for 10yrs
Are we entitled with this Fairness Act
I'm assuming - and please correct me if I'm wrong - that your husband is under FERS. If that is correct, neither of you were negatively impacted by WEP/GPO meaning this repeal does not affect you.
I’m a retired school employee, I receive a pension but I am not receiving my widow SS benefit from from husband. This law will change that. Will I get his full benefits.
I have a question.
I have SSDI, with Spouse Survivor benefits. I am 61, and I am planning to change my status to regular Social Security benefits; when I am 62 next year. I understand the chart, there's a penalty reduction. What happens to my benefits, since I am already on SSDI ? Will it be reduce ?
Why would you switch at 62 rather than waiting for your full retirement age? www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10153.pdf
I am on disability so started collecting so how would this affect my income I get state disability and s.s. Disability
Hello, and thank you for this information. I have a question concerning my personal situation, and maybe you can give me clarity. I worked and retired from a New York State Civil Service job, Department of Mental Health, for 30 years. I paid into Social Security, and I also paid into a New York State pension. I'm currently receiving social security benefits and receiving my pension payments. Do I qualify under the WEP LAW? Thank you for any clarification!
As the State pension you are receiving came from a job that was participating in SS, WEP did not apply to you. That means this repeal will have no impact on you either.
@@debbiehatch8016 Thank you very much!
I worked overseas as a military dependent 1980-1985 as a GS-5 Gov employee which 4 was. CRS upon returning to the states I was under FERS I retired at 62 Yrs of age as a GS-5 nurse. My income for 3 Yrs worked overseas did not reflect on my SSI retirement benifits. Please someone help or direct me to a good source. Thanks
The earnings you made in a CSRS position would not have been reflected in your SS retirement benefits. That's correct. CSRS employees do not pay in. As you did not have 5 years under CSRS, you retired purely under FERS. The WEP/GPO did not apply to you; their repeal also does not impact you.
Question ,,,,, so the MAXIMUM ss increase can be calculated by taking your current SS and divide it by .4 THEN multiply by .9. ???
No. The SS formula is .4 (or now .9) of $1,226. That’s a maximum increase of $613.
The Congressional record shows, “Under the Social Security Fairness Act, over 2.1 million retirees on Social Security will receive an average increase of $360 per month. Furthermore, over 700,000 surviving spouses will see an increase between $700 and $1,190 in their monthly benefits, on average.”
Your video was very informative however there wasnt any mention of ELY. My understanding is based on the year you turn 65 and given the number of years you paid into SS, they can only subtract a certain amount of money from your SS payment. For example: I worked 10 years prior to working in Federal government, hence I became a CSRS employee. I retired after 33 years of service @ the age of 61. I was rehired as a contractor and have been paying into SS for the past 8 years making an above average salary. When I retire, @ the age of 69, will the ELY come into play? I believe the chart shows $428.00 for my age and
Thanks for the compliment Susie. I didn't mention ELY because this was not a full blown Social Security presentation. It was only attempting to cover the repeal. I didn't feel I could talk about that without at least giving some basics of how the calculation is normally done.
With 40 credits, we are eligible at 62 or older. Full Retirement Age though is 66 - 67 with so many months in between, depending on year of birth. The monthly retirement benefits are reduced or increased based on your age after WEP reduces your ELY benefit. For 2025, the earnings limit is $23,400. People making more than that, AND drawing SS under full retirement age, will see benefits reduced $1 for every $2 about the limit they earn. In the year the person turns FRA, the earnings limit increases to $62,160 with a $1 for every $3 reduction. Once FRA, the earnings limit goes away. The maximum reduction in Social Security benefits based on Ely is calculated as 36 months times 5/9 of 1 percent plus 24 months times 5/12 of 1 percent. At 69, it will not apply to you.
@@debbiehatch8016 thank you for taking the time to reply. Bless you
My question is about survivor benefits My husband started taking SS 1995 at 62 years old only reduced for taking it at 62 years old. He died 5/23/2018 Will my benefit be based on what his amount would have been on 12/31/2023 taking into effect COLA's from 2018 to 2023? . I called my local office at 9:15 AM Jan 6 call was answered in 2 min and phone appointment is set for Jan 28th I told the agent that due to the bill being signed by President Biden yesterday that I now would qualify for survivor benefits and he asked what bill? I don't think he was joking
Hi Marie, Try to be patient with the SSA. There is so much to try to keep up with and they don’t have all of the answers yet. The law was just signed on 5 January. SSA is working on implementing regulations at this point.
Are you, yourself, a person who worked in a job that did not pay into Social Security? I need to know this in order to answer your question.
This new law does not negate penalties for drawing SS under one’s full retirement age. This would not change the amount of your late husband’s benefit.
@@debbiehatch8016 Yes I am a retired Air Traffic Controller under CSRS and taking reduced SS on my other covered jobs. I did not mean to seem unkind. I was quite surprised with the local SS office answering my call and setting up an appointment so soon. I expected to wait for hours and an appointment months into the future. I was just surprised that the SS specialist did not know of the bill. Will the COLA's for the years after his death be applied to my survivor benefit. He was collecting 12,440 per year (this included the reduction for taking it at 62 years old) when he died If I add the COLA's for the years up to 2024 I get 15,570. Just dreaming about paying off the 9,000 I just financed for the roof replacement after the hurricane. I understand that I would get the larger of my benefit or the survivor benefit.
Thank you for your video. I have attended many seminars before retiring and your explanation is by far superior. I never thought I would see any of my husbands benefit.
@@debbiehatch8016 Yes I retired as an Air Traffic Controller under the CSRS. I also worked at jobs paying into SS. I am collecting a small about of SS at this time. I did not mean to sound unkind. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly the phone call was answered and the appointment made. I expected to wait for hours on hold and appointment to be months from now. When my husband passed 2018 he was collecting 12,440 a YR in SS benefits (this was the reduced amount for taking it at 62 years of age) If I add the COLA's for the years 2019 to 2024 the amount now would be 15,570 a year give or take. I am just dreaming about the retro amount to pay off the 9,000 I financed of the 17,600 I paid to have my roof replaced after the last hurricane. Talk about spending it before I get it!
I attended several seminars before retirement to understand WEP & GPO but your explaination is by far superior. I promise to be patient. I do understand that I will not get both benefits but the amount of the larger one. My benefit and survivor benefit added to equal his benefit. I never expected to see any survivor benefit so what ever it is will be appreciated.
Thank you❤
You're welcome.
How about people collecting out of state retirement
Some state workers do not pay into Social Security. I don't know whether you did or not...
I worked in Europe
I worked and had SS taken out. So I had enough credits to draw my own SS. Got laid off and got a job working for a school system. Retired 14 years ago. I had to turn in my school retirement and sooo my SS was almost cut in half. I felt like I was denied all that SS. I paid into and was being punished for working school which they don’t take out SS. Will I be getting money that I was denied cause I worked for school system?
I understand your feelings. You will not be getting all of that money, retroactively. That said, since WEP has been repealed, once everything is implemented, you should see your Social Security monthly benefit increase.
I have a question regarding health insurance. Have you known anyone that canceled their FEHB coverage and purchased a Medicare Plan G or N ?
And are there any advantages to this ? I’m paying $608 monthly for self plus one with BCBS basic. Looking online I see Plan G going for $127 for one individual .
Fyi. We thought about it, but Medicare as primary and Bcbs Federal Basic as secondary will give you $800 back from Bcbs. They also pay all co-pays and deductibles after Medicare does the adjustments and initial pay. It seem like a no brainer for us. But we are in our early 70's so a sup would be way over what you are offered. 😮
The Medicare/FEHB decision is one most people struggle with. Please know that if you cancel FEHB in retirement, that is a permanent decision (and not a good one). You can never come back into the progam. IF you get a Medicare Advantage plan, you can suspend your FEHB and return during a future open season if you'd like - sooner if you lose coverage under the other plan. www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/ri79-9.pdf
This would at least mean, if you're not happy with the other plan, you could come back to FEHB. Also be aware that there are 130 different FEHB plan combinations available in 2025. While Fed Blue reimburses up to $800 per year for Medicare premiums (www.fepblue.org/our-plans/medicare/medicare-reimbursement#:~:text=FEP%20Blue%20Basic%20members%20who,pay%20Medicare%20Part%20B%20premiums), you may find another FEHB plan that will work well as a Medicare Supplement but cost you less. Worth noting, as another poster already said - when you have Medicare A, Medicare B, and FEHB; most FEHB plans waive co-pays and deductibles and they pick up the Medicare co-pays/deductibles leaving you only to pay premiums - which can be substantial for sure.
;
Great video but I am still a bit confused. I started collecting in 2016 and the SSA said that since I had a teacher pension but I had substantial earnings, I would only get 50% of my benefit. I currently get $1933 a month before deductions. Any idea how much I may get after the Fairnes act passed? Thanks in advance for any help.
Thanks for the compliment, Andy. Please understand that this is a rough calculation. If they told you, it was 50%, that is 50% of the top line of a 3 line calculation. It would mean you paid into SS for 22 years. For this year 50% X 1,226 (the first bend point) = 613. With the repeal, that line would be 90% instead of 50%; a difference of $490.40 per month.
you make it sound like the rest cheated or somehow didn't earn our payment.
That is YOUR perception James. My personal opinion was not discussed at any point in this video nor in any of the comments I've responded to. You don't know me and you do not know how I "feel" about it. That is not relevant.
Very clear presentation. Just one question. Will SSA recompute my 2 option (self benefit and spousal benefit) and award the higher amount going forth as well as back pay from January 2024? I’m CSRS retiree and awarded the reduced self benefit.
Thank you so much for the compliment. I'm glad you found this helpful.
Social Security benefits are recomputed annually. With the repeal of WEP/GPO, yes your benefit will be recalculated. As far as "back pay" and how any of that works, remains to be seen. That will have to be part of the implementing regulations - they are not out yet. More to come. Stay tuned here: www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
The question is when is Social Security going to implement the Social Security Fairness Act Biden Signed.I get SSI an Small Disability Pension Social Security has Reduced my SSI Because of my Disability Pension my Employer did not pay into Social Security.
All I can tell you is that they are working on it. There are still a number of things that need to be clarified.
More to come…
www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
What if I was married over 10 years and now I’m divorced can I collect off his I’m in the windfall used to work for the government
Gina, WEP affects our own earned benefit based on our personal high-35 years of paying in. The GPO affects spousal benefits. Yes, if you were married to your ex for at least ten years, you have been divorced for at least two, and you are not married, you can receive a SS benefit equal to your earned amount of half of your ex spouse’s earned amount. The higher of the two, not both. You worked for the government - was it under CSRS? Offset or FERS?
@ I was under CSRS
Thank you!
@@ginahill6621You’re welcome.
I received SSI and they switched me to SSA I was disabled broke my back actually I'm 55 now and I have never received the full amount of social security would I fail under this fairness act that president Biden signed into act
Do you receive a pension, any part of which, comes from a job that did not pay into Social Security, Bobby? If no, no this does not have any impact on you. It is a repeal of two past penalties - it is not a new benefit.
@debbiehatch8016 I was working when I broke my back I was working in textile Mills in North Carolina and no I don't receive anything other than regular social security now
The first thing I think of when it comes to social security is I’m getting Old
I am marjorie
Garrett I retired 3 Aug90 and was an early out at 60 I was penalized by WEP&GPO I I paid my retirement back. why amI not qualifiedmet my 40 qtrs and when I returned to work I Nov 87 and worked almost three years and retired,. why am I not qualified?
I hear ya. 😊
@@MarjorieGarrett-x3sNot sure exactly why you’re asking the question. IF you have your 40 quarters but retired from a system that didn’t pay in (which you must have, if WEP/GPO applied to you) then you ARE qualified.
What am I missing?
I CSRS retiree, age 74. I retired with 33 years of service. In retirement, I worked an additional fourteen years under the SS system. I am currently drawing SS, but I would like to know just how much my retirement has been reduced. How do I calculate my new retirement? Thank you very much for this concise and informative video, I can't tell you just how much it helped clarify the past and the future.
I'm thrilled you found value in the video. Thanks for letting me know. I can only do a rough calculation for you. The Social Security Administration will do the actual numbers. If you paid into SS for 14 years, the top line of your calculation is currently 40% X 1,226. Without WEP, that line will be 90% - a maximum increase of $613 / month.
@@debbiehatch8016 Thank you very much for your quick response. I will look at doing the math. FYI, I was not able to contact you through the email address you provided. Best regards, dick
I WORKED FOR 7 YEARS AND PAID INTO SS. THEN I WORKED FOR 26 YEARS IN THE FEDERAL GOVT AND DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO SS. THEN I WORKED 15 YEARS AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AND PAID INTO SS FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR! WHAT COULD I EXPECT MY SS INCREASE LUMP SUM AND INCREASE TO BE! I DID NOT START DRAWING SS UNTIL AGE 70.
Larry, I can't calculate your full benefit for you. WEP only effects the first line of your three line benefit calculation. There won't be a lump sum paid, retroactively. You would see your month benefit increase.
It appears you paid into SS for 22 years - provided they were all "substantial", the first line of your computation would have been 50% X 1,226 ($613). It would now be 90% X 1,226 ($1,103.40); a difference of $490.40.
Great Video Post
Thank you very much.
Nice explanation, I wouldn't use the phrase "get half of my spouses benefit". The first thing my wife said is I am not splitting my check with you. Maybe use entitled to an amount equal to half my spouse's benefit.
Fair, David. Thank you for the input.
Dear Debbie. I deleted my long post after realizing how busy you are with so many others at no charge to you. I will do my own research. Thank you very much for your very informative videos. Hope you keep your sanity with those with little patience. ❤
I provided a long response. Hopefully you saw it before you deleted your comment......
Now I feel bad, cause I didn't, but let me quess , Just trust the system, right?😊 Ty for replying, and remember you can't answer everyone .❤
Wow, I just checked on some of your newer people posting, and there are some angry 😡 upset folks. If they read your bio from your website they would realize you are truly a expert. Not like the others. Good luck, Remember your trying to explain something that doesn't make sense to most struggling fellow Americans. 😮
Thank you for your straightforward explanation. I appreciate you.
Glad it was helpful! 😊
If you dont put in you shouldnt get out
I didn’t give an opinion Bruce simply because it’s irrelevant. I provided a video that merely speaks to what the change has been/will be.
The GPO was first enacted in 1977 under Carter Administration. It reduced the spousal benefit dollar for dollar of the non-covered Gov pension amount. The GPO was modified in 1983 under the Reagan Administration to reduce by 2/3 of the non-covered pension amount. Not quite as harsh a penalty as the original law but still bad.
Wrong. Ronald Regan.
Thanks
@@TeresaMcClellan
The history, for me, doesn’t matter. GPO was what it was; and it has now been repealed.
But the writer is not wrong.
www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/program-explainers/government-pension-offset.html
You are correct. The importance here is that a wrong and been made right.
I think the history is important here. From what I understand through some reading, Jimmy Carter was initially opposed to the legislation. Under Reagan, it was changed from the dollar for dollar to 2/3 reduction. This indicates to me they knew it was wrong and unfair. It is unfortunate for those that have been hurt by this for so many years.
Public Nurses qualify ? Public workers end of the day.
What's happened is that two previous penalties have been repealed. It's not a new benefit. While working as a nurse - and thank you for that service - were you paying into Social Security? If so, the penalty did not impact you, meaning the repeal also doesn't.
The act is pure bull
Why?
I am marjorie Garrett I couldntfine the other that you answered. but I was told I didn't qualify by man who was in the know. I thought it went to 83.
marjorie
garrettandnot90.
t
You asked what are you missing I didn't think it went further than 83 and not 90. Iretured to work after 15 yyra and working on my 40 quarters returned. to work and put on offset for about 3 yrs and retired early out 3 Aug 90. I had no cho.. retired and received 1/2 of his he retired Dec 31 1989 at 62 he paid social all yrs' I paid my lump some back on what I got when I quit.