Can I reduce or eliminate the windfall elimination provision reduction by continuing to work? I am now 62, and about to receive a modest deferred CSRS Offset pension. I also have 24 years of substantial earnings in Social Security. If I continue to accumulate substantial earnings, can I get up to 30 years, at which point the WEP penalty disappears? That is, if I don’t apply for Social Security until I’m 70, will they calculate the WEP based on my earnings record as of age 62? Or will they wait until I apply for Social Security?

Q & A

Can I reduce or eliminate the windfall elimination provision reduction by continuing to work? I am now 62, and about to receive a modest deferred CSRS Offset pension. I also have 24 years of substantial earnings in Social Security. If I continue to accumulate substantial earnings, can I get up to 30 years, at which point the WEP penalty disappears? That is, if I don’t apply for Social Security until I’m 70, will they calculate the WEP based on my earnings record as of age 62? Or will they wait until I apply for Social Security?

Posted on September 15, 2013

Answer: As I understand it, the WEP is based on the number of years of Social Security-covered service you have at age 62, whether or not you apply for a Social Security benefit.

Source: Federal Time, August 23, 2013 (http://blogs.federaltimes.com/federal-retirement/2013/08/23/windfall-elimination-provision-30/)

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