Ask Larry

Will My Government Pension Affect Widow's Benefits?

I am 89 my husband dies at 94 I have never had social security but he did. I get a retirement from working for government it is udner 1000 dollars a month. I was told at SS center I will not get 100 percent of my husbands SS because I make retirement from government. He said it will lessen. I so not get ss, but governement retirement. I do not understand if he is correct. he was in an hurry it was the end of the day.

Thank you Doris

Hi Doris,

I'm sorry for your loss.

If your government pension is based on your work and you did not pay Social Security taxes on your earnings, your widow's benefits will likely be reduced by 2/3rds of the gross amount of your government pension. This is due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf).

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Mar 29 2017 - 10:15am
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