Yes, you can receive both a pension and Social Security, but the amount you get from Social Security may be reduced

If you worked long enough to earn both a pension and Social Security credits, you can collect both. However, two federal rules can lower your Social Security payment: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These rules apply only to people who worked in jobs where they did not pay Social Security taxes — typically government jobs like teaching, police work, or public service positions.

The reduction is not automatic. It depends on when you were hired, what kind of pension you receive, and whether you're claiming on your own record or as a spouse or survivor. Understanding which rule applies to you, if any, is the first step to knowing what you'll actually receive.

Key Takeaways

  • You can collect both a pension and Social Security unless you worked in a government job where you did not pay Social Security taxes.
  • The Windfall Elimination Provision reduces your own Social Security benefit if you have a non-covered pension; the Government Pension Offset reduces spousal or survivor benefits.
  • Workers hired before 1986 in some government jobs may be exempt from these reductions.
  • Your Social Security statement from ssa.gov shows whether WEP or GPO applies to your record.
  • The reduction is capped — it cannot take away your entire Social Security benefit, and it does not affect Medicare may be able to access.

What the Windfall Elimination Provision does to your benefit

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces your own Social Security retirement or disability benefit if you receive a pension from work where you did not pay Social Security taxes. The reduction is not a flat amount — it depends on how much your pension is and when you were born.

The maximum reduction is about 50% of your pension amount, but it cannot reduce your Social Security benefit by more than a certain dollar amount that changes each year. In 2024, the maximum reduction is $895 per month, though most people see less. If your pension is small, the reduction may be small too. If you have no other Social Security credits from covered work, WEP does not apply.

WEP applies only to people who reach age 62 after 1985 and who worked in a job not covered by Social Security. If you were hired before 1986 in certain government positions — particularly in some state and local government jobs — you may be exempt. The Social Security Administration keeps a list of which employers and positions are exempt.

How the Government Pension Offset affects spousal and survivor benefits

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) is different from WEP. It reduces benefits you receive as a spouse or widow or widower if you have a non-covered pension. Unlike WEP, which affects your own benefit, GPO affects what you can collect based on someone else's Social Security record.

GPO reduces your spousal or survivor benefit by two-thirds of your pension amount. This can be a large reduction. For example, if your pension is $1,500 per month, GPO reduces your spousal benefit by $1,000. In many cases, this means people with government pensions receive little or no spousal or survivor benefit at all.

GPO applies to spouses, ex-spouses (married at least 10 years), and widows or widowers. It does not apply to your own retirement benefit — that is what WEP handles. Like WEP, GPO has exemptions for people hired before 1986 in certain government jobs.

Who is exempt from these reductions

Not everyone with a pension faces WEP or GPO. The main exemption is based on when you were hired. If you were hired before 1986 in a government job that did not participate in Social Security, you may be exempt from both rules — but only if you were continuously employed in that non-covered job from 1983 onward.

If you worked in a job covered by Social Security at any point — even for a short time — you may not be exempt. The rules are strict about what "continuous employment" means. You can check your own situation by contacting Social Security or reviewing your Social Security statement online at ssa.gov.

Some state and local government employers do participate in Social Security. If your pension is from a covered employer, WEP and GPO do not apply at all. Your employer's payroll records show whether you paid Social Security taxes on that job.

How to learn about WEP or GPO applies to you

The easiest way is to create an account at ssa.gov and view your Social Security statement. The statement lists any non-covered pensions and shows whether WEP or GPO is expected to reduce your benefit. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask directly.

When you call or visit, have your pension information ready: the employer name, the job title, the dates you worked there, and the monthly pension amount you expect to receive. Social Security will tell you which rule applies and give you an estimate of the reduction.

Do not wait until you claim to find this out. Knowing the reduction in advance lets you plan. Some people delay claiming Social Security to let their benefit grow, which can offset some of the WEP or GPO reduction. Others adjust their retirement timeline based on the combined income they'll actually receive.

The reduction cannot eliminate your entire benefit

Even with WEP or GPO, Social Security will not reduce your benefit to zero. WEP cannot reduce your benefit by more than 50% of your pension amount, and there is an annual cap on the dollar reduction. GPO cannot reduce your spousal or survivor benefit below zero, though it can reduce it to zero.

Your Medicare coverage is separate from your Social Security benefit. Even if WEP or GPO significantly reduces your Social Security payment, you remain may be able to access for Medicare at age 65 based on your work record. The reduction does not affect your Medicare status.

Planning when to claim with both a pension and Social Security

If you have both a pension and Social Security, the timing of when you claim matters. Your Social Security benefit grows if you delay claiming past your full retirement age — roughly 8% per year until age 70. Your pension typically does not grow after you start receiving it.

Some people claim their pension first and delay Social Security to let it grow larger. Others do the opposite. The best choice depends on your health, life expectancy, how much each benefit is, and whether WEP or GPO applies. A financial planner or Social Security representative can walk through the numbers with you.

If you are still working and earning income, Social Security has an earnings limit. If you claim before your full retirement age and earn above the limit, Social Security temporarily reduces your benefit. This limit does not apply to your pension — you can earn pension income without affecting Social Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my full Social Security benefit if I have a government pension?

Only if your government job was covered by Social Security — meaning you and your employer paid Social Security taxes on your wages. If your job was not covered, WEP or GPO will reduce your benefit. The reduction depends on your pension amount and when you were hired.

Does my spouse get reduced benefits because of my pension?

Not because of your pension directly. However, if your spouse claims spousal benefits based on your record and your spouse has their own non-covered government pension, GPO will reduce their spousal benefit by two-thirds of their pension amount.

What if I worked both covered and non-covered jobs?

If you have credits from both types of work, you may still face WEP or GPO, but the reduction is usually smaller than if you only worked non-covered jobs. Social Security calculates your benefit using a formula that accounts for your covered earnings. Contact Social Security to see how your mixed work history affects your specific benefit.

Can I avoid WEP or GPO by delaying my pension?

No. WEP and GPO are based on whether you receive a pension, not on when you receive it. If you are may have access to to a non-covered pension, the rules apply regardless of whether you have claimed it yet. However, delaying your Social Security claim can help offset the reduction by increasing your monthly benefit.

Does WEP or GPO affect my Medicare?

No. Your may be able to access for Medicare at age 65 is based on your work record, not on your Social Security benefit amount. WEP and GPO reduce your monthly payment but do not change when you can enroll in Medicare or what coverage you receive.