Information for Government Employees
Some federal employees and employees of state or local government agencies may be eligible for a pension based on earnings not covered by Social Security.
If you didn't pay Social Security taxes on your government earnings and you are eligible for Social Security benefits, the formula used to figure your benefit amount may be reduced.
If you are eligible for Social Security benefits on your own record and a pension not covered by Social Security, the Windfall Elimination provision, or WEP may affect your benefits.
- The "How It Works" section of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) fact sheet explains the formula Social Security may use to compute your benefit amount.
- How the Windfall Elimination Provision Can Affect Your Social Security Benefit provides a chart to show how your benefit amount changes based on your years of substantial earnings and the year you became eligible for benefits.
- Use the WEP Online Calculator to calculate your estimated retirement or disability benefits.
Some government pensions do not affect your benefit amount when you apply on your own record.
You can find a table that lists the amount of substantial earnings for each year at the bottom of the second page of our Windfall Elimination Provision fact sheet.
If you are eligible for Social Security benefits on your spouse's record, and a pension not covered by Social Security, the Government Pension Offset, or GPO, may affect your benefits.
- The Government Pension Offset (GPO) fact sheet explains how your pension may affect your benefit on your spouse's record.
- Use the GPO Online Calculator to calculate your estimated benefits as a spouse, widow, or widower.
Some government pensions do not affect your benefit on your spouse's record.