Hi,
I have worked 12 years in Germany and will receive a company pension, I also paid German social security during this time. I also have paid in 34 years of US social security, 31 of those meeting substantial payments in the given year. My question, as I meet the 30 year substantial payment test, will I get both US Social Security and a small German Social Security that I am intitled to for my 12 years? Thanks

Hi,

As long as you meet the 30 years of substantial covered earnings exclusion, you will be exempt from the Windfall Elimination Provision (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf). Therefore, it sounds like you should be able to draw your normal U.S. Social Security retirement benefits regardless of what other pensions you receive. I'm not an expert on the German system, though, so I don't know if your US Social Security benefits might affect your pensions from Germany.

Best, Jerry