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 covered by Social Security in Step #1

user: Will I be eligible for spouse's benefits and have access to my spouse's benefits?

assistant: Do you want to find the estimated amount of the retirement benefit you spouse would get at full retirement?

user: Yes, that is what I would like to know.

assistant: Then the  estimated monthly amount of you Social Security amount as a spouse, widow, or widower before the effect of GPO is what you need to look at.

user: What if I will be eligible for widow's benefits or I do not have access to my spouse's estimates?

assistant: You could call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 or if you are hard of hearing at 1-800-325-0778 or just contact your local Social Security office.

user: What happens if I retire before full retirement age?

assistant: Your benefit amount as a spouse would be reduced and would vary based on your birth date.

assistant: Do you need to find out more info about estimated benefit amount if you retire before reaching full retirement age?

user: Yes, I need to find out more info about my estimated benefit amount if I retire before full retirement age.

assistant: Call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 or at 1-800-325-0778 if hard of hearing or your local office.

user: What if I am eligible for Social Security retirement benefit based on my own earnings?

assistant: Do you know it will affect you as a higher benefit based on your spouses earnings?