Ask Larry

Would My Own SS Amount Be Reduced If I Collect A TRS Survivor Pension?

My spouse has a decent TRS pension.
I understand her SS punishment by WEP & the significant loss of any spousal SS I can give her.

I’m entitled to half of the TRS pension amount should she pass.
My question is; would my own SS amount start being reduced if I ever started collecting that survivor TRS pension?
Thank you,

Hi. No. Only pensions that are based on a person's OWN earnings that were exempt from Social Security taxes count for purposes of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Drawing a pension that's based on a spouse's non-covered earnings has no effect on a person's Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jul 27 2022 - 11:44am
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