Hello,
I will retire from teaching in a public school in Ohio with STRS after 35 years next year. My wife paid into social security for the past 40 years. I haven't paid much into SS so do not expect to receive any at age 65. However, I want to make sure my wife is able to recieve all of Social Security she earned through her own work. Am I correct to assume that WEP or GOP will not affect her own SS? Wiil she stop getting her own social security if I pass away and she becomes the beneficiery of my STRS pension?
Thank you very much for any clarification you may provide. The Social Security Office has not being very helpful so far.

Michael

Hi Michael,

Yes. Neither the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) nor the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision will affect your wife's Social Security benefits unless she receives a pension based on HER OWN work where her earnings were exempt from Social Security taxes. Your wife's own Social Security benefits won't be affected by your STRS pension, nor would her benefits be affected if she receives a survivor pension based on your non-Social Security covered earnings.

Best, Jerry