Dear Sir,

I applied for my US social security benefits to start just after my 65th birthday. Last 10 years I have been receiving a company pension from my German employer (non covered pension). I understand that my SS benefits will be affected by Windfall Elimination Provision and that the benefit reduction should not be larger than one half of my non covered pension. SSA will use for this calculation the amount of my non covered pension and the exchange rate at the date when I am entitled to both of these pensions. Which date is it? Month and year when I turned 62? Month when I applied for SS benefits or when I start receiving them?

Thank you in advance for your answer!

Hi,

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) guarantee is based on 50% of the amount (in U.S. dollars) of your non-covered pension in your first month of concurrent entitlement to the non-covered pension and Social Security benefits. Your month of entitlement is the month that you choose to start drawing your benefits. For example, if you file an application for Social Security benefits in February and you choose to start your benefits effective with May, then May would be your month of entitlement.

Best, Jerry