Question I served for 25 yrs on active duty (1975-2000) with the Air Force and participated in social security as a GI.
After military retirement, I served 8 yrs as a civilian police officer (2000-2009). My California police dept did not participate in social security. I retired in 2009 with a disability retirement
I receive a tax free California state disability retirement (CalPERS) as a result of my police disability retirement
I'm 51 yrs old.
Will I be subject to social security off-set when I'm eligible to apply for social security when I'm 62?
Answer Dear Steve,
Your Social Security could be subject to offset if you do not have 30 years of substantial coverage under Social Security. I would think your 25 years of earnings from the military would qualify for 25 years of substantial earnings. With only 25 years SS would use 65% in their Step 1 calculation instead of the usually 90%. There is also a WEP guarantee which prevents your SS benefit from being reduced by more than one-half of your pension from your non-covered work. With a short time in their system this could come into play.
Number of Years
of Coverage First Factor In
Benefit Formula
30 or more 90%
29 85%
28 80%
27 75%
26 70%
25 65%
24 60%
23 55%
22 50%
21 45%
20 or less 40%
