Ask Larry

As a teacher I have 25 years on the books in my state with a mix of noncovered and covered social security. The last 7 years are totally covered years so I meet the 60 rule provision of gpo. I left the state to teach overseas in 2011 for 7 years where there was no pension program. I want to know do I qualify for exemption from gpo?

Hi,

Just to clarify, I assume you mean that your teacher pension will be based on a mixture of covered (i.e. subject to social security taxes) and non-covered earnings, and in the last 7 years of that work you paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. In that case, it sounds like you would be exempt from GPO (i.e.. government pension offset) with regard to that pension (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0202608107).

Note, though, that that exemption only applies to GPO and not to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). You may want to consider using our maximization software in order to compare your Social Security options and determine your best strategy.

Best, Jerry