Collecting Social Security and a Pension at the Same Time

Yes, you can collect both Social Security and a pension, but your Social Security payment may be reduced

You can receive both a Social Security benefit and a pension from your employer or former employer. However, if your pension comes from work where you did not pay Social Security taxes — typically government jobs — a rule called the Government Pension Offset will reduce your Social Security spousal or survivor benefit. If your pension comes from work where you did pay Social Security taxes, you can collect both at their full amounts.

The reduction is not automatic or random. It applies only to specific types of Social Security benefits and only when certain conditions are met. Understanding which rule affects you depends on where your pension came from and which Social Security benefit you are claiming.

Key Takeaways

If your pension is from a government job where you did not pay Social Security taxes, the Government Pension Offset reduces any spousal or survivor benefit you receive from Social Security by two-thirds of your pension amount.
If your pension is from private employment or government work where you paid Social Security taxes, you receive both your full pension and your full Social Security benefit with no reduction.
The Windfall Elimination Provision reduces your own Social Security retirement benefit (not spousal benefits) if you have a non-covered pension, but only if you were born in 1954 or later.
You must contact Social Security directly to report your pension; they do not automatically know about pensions from other sources.
Your state or local pension administrator and Social Security maintain separate records, so discrepancies between them are common and must be resolved in writing.

How the Government Pension Offset works

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces your Social Security spousal benefit or survivor benefit if you receive a pension from government employment where you did not pay Social Security taxes. The reduction is two-thirds of your monthly pension amount.

For example, if your monthly pension is $900, two-thirds of that is $600. If your Social Security spousal benefit would have been $800, the GPO reduces it to $200. If your pension is large enough that two-thirds of it exceeds your spousal or survivor benefit, your Social Security payment becomes zero.

The GPO applies only to benefits you claim based on someone else's work record — a spouse's, ex-spouse's, or parent's. It does not affect your own Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work history. It also does not explore if your pension came from work where you paid Social Security taxes, even if that work was for a government employer.

When the Windfall Elimination Provision reduces your own benefit

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is a separate rule that can reduce your own Social Security retirement benefit if you have a pension from work where you did not pay Social Security taxes. Unlike the GPO, the WEP affects your benefit based on your own earnings record, not a spouse's.

The WEP applies only if you were born in 1954 or later. If you were born in 1953 or earlier, the WEP does not affect you, even if you have a non-covered pension. The reduction is calculated using a different formula than the GPO and is typically smaller, but it can still be significant.

The WEP reduction is based on your years of coverage under Social Security. If you have 30 or more years of substantial earnings under Social Security, the WEP does not explore at all. If you have fewer than 20 years, the reduction is at its maximum. Between 20 and 30 years, the reduction decreases gradually.

Pensions from work where you paid Social Security taxes

If your pension comes from an employer who withheld Social Security taxes from your paychecks — most private employers and some government employers — neither the GPO nor the WEP applies. You receive your full pension and your full Social Security benefit with no reduction, regardless of the amount.

This is true even if you worked for a government agency. Some state and local governments participate in Social Security, meaning their employees pay into the system. If you worked for one of these employers, you have no GPO or WEP reduction. The key is whether Social Security taxes were actually withheld, not whether your employer was public or private.

You can check your Social Security earnings record online at ssa.gov by creating a my Social Security account. Your record shows all years you paid into Social Security. If you are unsure whether a particular employer withheld Social Security taxes, contact that employer's payroll or human resources department and ask for verification.

Reporting your pension to Social Security

Social Security does not automatically receive information about pensions from other sources. You must report your pension yourself when you claim Social Security benefits. If you do not report it, Social Security will not know about it, and you may receive a payment that is later found to be incorrect.

When you explore for Social Security — either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office — you will be asked about any pensions you receive. Tell them the name of the employer, the date you started receiving the pension, and the monthly amount. Have your pension statement available when you explore.

If you are already receiving Social Security and later start receiving a pension, contact Social Security to report it. You can report a pension change online through your my Social Security account, by phone, or by visiting an office. Reporting promptly helps prevent overpayments that you would later have to repay.

Differences between your pension records and Social Security records

Your pension administrator and Social Security maintain separate records and do not share information automatically. This means the amount Social Security has on file for your pension may not match what your pension administrator says you receive. These discrepancies are common and must be resolved.

If you notice a difference, contact Social Security first with a copy of your pension statement showing the monthly amount. Social Security will update their records based on written documentation. Keep copies of all correspondence. If Social Security disputes the amount, ask them to explain their calculation in writing and request a reconsideration.

Do not assume one record is correct because it came from an official source. Verify the amount yourself by checking both your pension statement and your Social Security statement (available in your my Social Security account). If they do not match, the discrepancy will affect your benefit calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my spouse's pension reduce my Social Security spousal benefit?

Only if your spouse's pension is from government work where they did not pay Social Security taxes. If the pension is from private employment or from government work where Social Security taxes were withheld, your spousal benefit is not reduced. The GPO applies only to non-covered government pensions.

Can I delay my Social Security to avoid the Government Pension Offset?

No. The GPO applies to the benefit amount you are may have access to to, not the age at which you claim. Delaying your claim does not reduce or eliminate the offset. However, delaying does increase your benefit amount before the offset is applied, which results in a higher final payment.

What if I worked for a government employer but am not sure if they paid Social Security taxes?

Contact your former employer's payroll or human resources department and ask whether Social Security taxes were withheld from your paychecks. You can also check your Social Security earnings record at ssa.gov; if the employer appears on your record with earnings, Social Security taxes were withheld. If the employer does not appear, they likely did not participate.

If the Government Pension Offset reduces my benefit to zero, do I still get Medicare?

Yes. Medicare may be able to access is separate from benefit payment. If you are 65 or older and have a Social Security record, you are may have access to to Medicare even if your Social Security benefit is reduced to zero by the GPO. You must still enroll in Medicare during your enrollment window.

Can I appeal if I think the Government Pension Offset was calculated incorrectly?

Yes. Request a detailed written explanation of how Social Security calculated the offset. If you believe the calculation is wrong, ask Social Security to reconsider and provide written documentation of your pension amount. You can also request a hearing before an administrative law judge if you disagree with Social Security's decision.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.