If you worked in a job that was not covered under Social Security, for example some Federal, State, or local government employment, the pension you get based on that work may reduce your Social Security benefits.

Social Security calls this "Government Pension Offset" and it applies only if you receive a government pension and are eligible for Social Security benefits as a spouse, ex-spouse, or widow/widower.  Under this offset, Social Security will reduce your benefit by two-thirds of the amount of your government pension.  You must report all cost of living raises that increase your government pension to Social Security so that Social Security can adjust your benefit.

Example

Kate worked for the state government and her pension is $600 gross per month.  Two-thirds of her state pension is $400.  Her widow's benefit from Social Security is $1200 per month.  Social Security must reduce her widow's benefit by $400.  Kate's Social Security benefit amount is $800.

The most common exceptions to this rule apply if you:

• Are receiving a government pension that is not based on your earnings;

OR

• Are a state or local employee whose government pension is based on a job where you were paying Social Security taxes on the last day of employment and your last day was before July 1, 2004.

OR

• If your last day of employment was July 1, 2004 or later and you were paying Social Security taxes during the last five years of employment. Sometimes, less than five years may be required for people whose last day of employment falls between July 1, 2004, and March 2, 2009.

Although there is no minimum age to get Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you must meet two work tests to receive SSD benefits. You must meet a "recent work test" and "duration of work test." The younger you are, the less work you need to meet the work requirements.

If your disability began in the calendar quarter you turned age 24 or even earlier, all you need is one and a half years of work during the three-year period ending with the calendar quarter you became disabled. You meet both the "recent work test" and "duration of work" test if you have one and a half years of work.

If your disability began between the calendar quarter after you turned age 24 and before the calendar quarter you turned age 31, you meet the "recent work test;" if you worked one half of the time beginning with the calendar quarter after you turned 21 and ending with the calendar

What is an EXR?

If your benefits ended because you worked and had earnings, you can request that your benefits start again without having to complete a new application. While Social Security determines whether you can get benefits again, they can give you provisional (temporary) benefits for up to 6 months.

Are you eligible?

If you are an SSDI or SSI beneficiary who:

• Stopped receiving benefits because of earnings from work,
• Are unable to work or perform substantial gainful activity,
• Are disabled because of an impairment(s) that is the same as or related to the impairment(s) that allowed you to get benefits earlier, and
• Make the request within 5 years from the month your benefits ended.

What are provisional benefits?

Provisional benefits can be paid when you request EXR. It will include cash payments and Medicare/Medicaid coverage. They usually do not have to be paid back if Social Security denies your request. Provisional payments are paid for up to six months, but will end sooner if you: