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Ask Rusty · Social Security Q&A

Pensions, WEP and GPO

How government, foreign and other pensions affect Social Security. Note: the Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 5, 2025) repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset for benefits payable after December 2023 — some answers below were written before that change.

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Pensions, WEP & GPO: questions and answers

12 questions answered

  1. Why Can’t I Get My Social Security Payment Plus My Railroad Pension From My Ex-spouse?

    Jul 7, 2025 · Ask Rusty

    Why Can’t I Get My Social Security Payment Plus My Railroad Pension From My Ex-spouse? - Ask Rusty

  2. Social Security’s WEP is Unfair – I Want My Money Back!

    Nov 29, 2021 · Ask Rusty

    Ask Rusty – Social Security’s WEP is Unfair – I Want My Money Back!

  3. Will My UK Pension Affect My US Social Security?

    Jun 8, 2021 · Ask Rusty

    Ask Rusty - Will My UK Pension Affect My US Social Security?

  4. Will My Retirement Benefits Be Cut Because of My State Pension?

    May 31, 2021 · Ask Rusty

    Will My Retirement Benefits Be Cut Because of My State Pension? - Ask Rusty

  5. Avoiding WEP & GPO Reductions

    Feb 16, 2021 · Ask Rusty

    Avoiding WEP & GPO Reductions - Ask Rusty

  6. How Will My Wife’s Benefits Be Affected by My State Pension?

    Feb 8, 2021 · Ask Rusty

    How Will My Wife’s Benefits Be Affected by My State Pension? - Ask Rusty

  7. Will My U.K. Pension Affect My Social Security?

    Dec 7, 2020 · Ask Rusty

    Will My U.K. Pension Affect My Social Security? - Ask Rusty

  8. How Does My Husband’s Federal Pension Affect Benefits?

    Oct 29, 2019 · Ask Rusty

    How Does My Husband’s Federal Pension Affect Benefits? - Ask Rusty

  9. State Pension May Eliminate Survivor Benefit

    Jul 29, 2019 · Ask Rusty

    State Pension May Eliminate Survivor Benefit - Ask Rusty

  10. Will My Canadian Pension Affect My U.S. Social Security?

    Jul 8, 2019 · Ask Rusty

    Will My Canadian Pension Affect My U.S. Social Security? - Ask Rusty

  11. Computing Benefits When “WEP” Applies

    Jun 3, 2019 · Ask Rusty

    Computing Benefits When “WEP” Applies - Ask Rusty

  12. Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Affects State Retiree

    Apr 22, 2019 · Ask Rusty

    Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Affects State Retiree - Ask Rusty