Benefits Planner: Retirement 


What is Government Pension Offset (GPO)? 
If you will receive a pension for work not covered by Social Security such as government employment , any Social Security benefits you may be eligible to receive on your spouse's record may be reduced. This type of benefit reduction is called GPO. Some individuals are exempt from the offset. If you want to know if you meet the requirements for an exemption , please read the " When won't my Social Security benefits be reduced? " section of our " Government Pension Offset " factsheet. 

Information You Need to Calculate Your Benefits If You Are Affected by the GPO 
To estimate your future spouse's, widow's, or widower's benefits under the GPO , you need two things : The estimated " gross " monthly amount of your pension from your government job not covered by Social Security. The estimated monthly amount of your Social Security benefit as a spouse, widow, or widower before the effect of GPO. 

If you will be eligible for spouse's benefits and have access to your spouse's estimate: 
Find the estimated amount of the retirement benefit your spouse would be eligible to receive at full retirement age. If your spouse already receives benefits , ask them what their benefit would be if it started at their full or normal retirement age. Divide this amount in half and round down to the nearest dollar. This is your estimated spouse's benefit if you retire at full retirement age. 

If you will be eligible for a Social Security retirement benefit based on your own earnings: 
As well as a higher benefit based on your spouse's earnings , it will also affect your benefits as a spouse, widow, or widower. To get a more accurate estimate of how the government pension you will receive for work not covered by Social Security will affect the part of your benefit based on your spouse's work : Enter the estimated " gross " monthly amount of the government pension in today's dollars you will receive for work not cover

user: I want to know more about planning my retirement benefits.

assistant: well, there's the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Do you want to know about it?

user: yes.

assistant: Will you receive a pension for work not covered by Social Security?

user: I won't.

user: but tell me how would affect the benefits I would get from my spouse's work.

assistant: to calculate your benefits enter the estimated "gross" monthly amount you would get from any government pension for work not covered by Social Security in step #1 of "Calculate Your Benefits", then use your most recent estimate to determine your estimated retirement benefit based on your own earnings.

user: Where can I get more information about the estimated benefit amount I would get if I retire before reaching full retirement age.

assistant: You can call our toll free number 1-800-772-1213. For peoñle with hearing impairments, we have available our TTY number 1-800-325-0778 or contact your local Social Security office.

user: What information do I need to calculate my future widow's benefits under the GPO?

assistant: You need the estimated "gross" monthly amount of your pension from your government job not covered by Social Security, and the estimated monthly amount of your Social Security benefit as a widow before the effect of GPO.