How is it that my Social Security survivor benefit; ( offset to only $48 per month), that I received for only 10 months after being widowed for 8 years, was completely offset by the recent 8.7 % Civil Service Retirement COLA? Seems strange since Social Security received the same 8.7% COLA. Mathematically even Social Security stated that my benefit would be increased the same 8.7% and be increased to $52 per month in 2023, but due to the Government Pension Offset now be completely eliminated/ offset and I would receive no Social Security Benefit.

Hi. I'm with you on not understanding how the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) cost of living (COLA) increase could have fully offset your survivor benefits if they weren't fully offset before. Both Social Security and CSRS benefits receive the same percentage COLA increases. Therefore, since the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision offsets Social Security survivor benefits by 2/3rds of the amount of a person's CSRS pension, I can't see why your net Social Security survivor rate shouldn't have increased somewhat after factoring in the COLAs.

It sounds like you should probably consider filing an appeal. The instructions for doing so can be found on the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made.

Best, Jerry