Search:

Custom Search

Readers' Comments

Total Comments: 43
Page 1 of 5

« Previous | Next »

Congress, Federal Pensions and the National Debt: Will GPO and WEP Disappear This Year?

GPO

Retired Unit Coordinator
Dept. of Veteramn Affairs
Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:28 AM

Post Reply

I am a Federal retiree who falls under the GPO and always thought it to be one of the most unfair bills. This article gives me a little more hope that it may be repealed and I will get the full amount of Social security payment that I am entitled to.

Military payback

Analyst
SSA
Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:44 AM

Post Reply

Would the elimination of WEP affect the need for veterans to make paybacks if they become entitled to SS benefits and CSRS?

Re: Military payback

Instructor
DoD
Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:50 AM
My answer would be "No" because the payback has nothing to do with Social Security. They payback is to cover the contributions you never made to a defined benefit plan (e.g. CSRS, FERS) to get retirement credit for those years. It would only affect your CSRS or FERS disbursment. It's wouldn't affect your SS one way or the other.

Congress, Federal Pensions and the National Debt

Retired DoD Audit Manager
DoD Inspector General
Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:51 AM

Post Reply

Eliminating the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision lies right up their with the pipe dream that one day the American taxpayer will come to appreciate the work of government employees. This ain't gonna happen, so why get your hopes up?

Married FERS Employees & WEP

Test Control Officer
Sheppard AFB TX USAF
Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:49 AM

Post Reply

After reading Mr. Smith's and Mr. Grobe's articles on WEP I'm still a bit confused.
My husband is retired Air Force; I separated from AF.
I paid the POST 56 Deposit.
My husband has been a FERS employee since Nov 1999.
I've been a FERS employee since 12 July 1988.
My spouse will file for his SSN at age 66 and will remain employed under FERS. When I reach age 66 I will file for my Social Security. I may not be under Civil Service at age 66.

Does WEP mean I won't get my FULL SSN benefit because my spouse is getting HIS FULL SSN benefit?
Does WEP mean I won't get ANY SSN benefit on my own even though I earned it because my spouse is getting his full SSN benefit?
We are under the presumption we both will get our FULL SSN BENEFIT without any reduction.
Please straighten me out on this WEB topic.
Thank you,
Roberta F. Sheehy
Sheppard AFB, TX

Re: Married FERS Employees & WEP

Ex HR Practitioner
DoD
Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:13 PM
Neither the GPO or the WEP affect you and your husband because you are both FERS. GPO and WEP only affect CSRS emloyees (and state and local government employees who do not pay social security earnings on their salary).

P.S. I am a retired Benefits Specialist.

WEP

Billy Shears
Apple
Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:08 AM

Post Reply

Eliminating it entirely is very unlikely. However, how about a fairer sliding scale; one that does not penalize an employee with 20 years of substantial earnings the same as it penalizes an employee with 10?

WEP

Former HR Specialist
Federal Agency
Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:13 PM

Post Reply

Given that next January I plan on retiring on a very comfortable CSRS Retirement, and I have a total of 19 Social Security credits, I don't have a problem with the WEP. To keep myself out of trouble and earn a little extra on the side, I plan on getting a part time job at a corner hardware store, or something. When I get to my 40 credits, I plan on applying for my SS benefits. If those are reduced because I paid in for only 10 years, mostly at minimum wage, I won't complain because I paid the minimum and the SS benefit fomula was developed to support those at the lower end of the earnings scale, not as a supplement for those already receiving a very good retirement. While I will apply because I want everything to which I am entitled, but I don't want to receive extra which might bankrupt the system earlier.

Re: WEP

retired fed
CMS/DHHS
Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:13 AM
I retired three years ago on CSRS and filed for SS payments based on 40 quarters of private sector work prior to working for the federal government. I receive a small SS check every month (with 2/3's of full amount withheld under existing law). While I could use the extra money, I also have no complaints about the current system. CSRS pensions are adequate if you have properly prepared for retirement, and I do not want to further deplete the Social Security system for those who will need it more then I do.

20 years of BS

Acountant, Retired gs 14
DOE, Albuquerque
Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:15 PM

Post Reply

These bills have been proposed for 25 years and they never go anywhere. Since I am retired and only 55 I would like to work but not starting at a 37.65% tax rate. Social security is a tax to me with no benefit

Total Comments: 43
Page 1 of 5

« Previous | Next »

Add a Comment about this Article

** All fields are required.
Note: Your comments will not show up right away. FedSmith.com selects the most insightful comments from our readers for posting. If selected, your comments will show up in the comments section after they have been reviewed and approved. See our terms of use for more information.