I cannot find an answer to my question anywhere.

I am a CA retired teacher with a CALSTRS pension (2019). CALSTRS does not pay into Social Security. After I retired, the social security earnings that I was receiving while still on the job (from my private employment many years ago) was cut by more than half through the Windfall Elimination Protocol (WEP)

My wife works in the financial industry. She is thinking of taking early retirement SS benefits. As soon as she retires, will her Social Security benefits be reduced by my WEP too?

Thanks for your answer,
John

Hi John. No. Your wife's Social Security retirement benefit amount won't be reduced because of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) unless she, too, receives a pension that's based on her own earnings that weren't subject to Social Security taxes. Your CALSTRS pension won't have any effect on your wife's Social Security retirement benefits.

However, if your wife qualifies for spousal benefits based on your Social Security earnings record, her unreduced spousal rate would be calculated based on 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA). Therefore, if your PIA is reduced due to WEP then that would also mean a lower spousal benefit rate for your wife.

It sounds like your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of her options so that she can determine her best strategy for maximizing benefits.

Best, Jerry

Best, Jerry