Social Security for
Federal Retirees.
FERS retirees generally receive full Social Security benefits. CSRS retirees may qualify if they worked in the private sector — but the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) can significantly reduce what you receive. Know your situation before you plan.
CSRS & FERS
Social Security eligibility.
Whether you receive Social Security — and how much — depends primarily on which retirement system you are under and whether you worked in Social Security-covered employment outside of federal service.
FERS and CSRS retirees have fundamentally different Social Security situations. FERS retirees are fully integrated into Social Security and generally receive benefits based on their full career earnings. CSRS retirees who never worked in the private sector typically receive no Social Security — but those who did may qualify, subject to WEP reduction.
2026 update: The earnings threshold for Social Security taxes rises to $184,500. Social Security taxes are deducted from all earnings up to this amount.
CSRS Retirees
Civil Service Retirement System
FERS Retirees
Federal Employees Retirement System
WEP & GPO — major reductions for many CSRS retirees
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces the Social Security benefit formula for workers who receive a pension from non-Social Security-covered employment (like CSRS). Instead of the standard 90% replacement rate on the first portion of average earnings, WEP applies a lower rate — reducing benefits by up to several hundred dollars per month.
The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces spousal and survivor Social Security benefits for CSRS retirees by two-thirds of their CSRS annuity — in many cases eliminating spousal benefits entirely.
See the full detail pages: WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset).
Collecting SS while
still working.
Beneficiaries who collect Social Security before reaching full retirement age (FRA) are subject to an earnings test — benefits may be temporarily withheld if earned income exceeds annual limits.
| Age / Status | 2026 Earnings Limit | Benefit reduction rule |
|---|---|---|
| Under full retirement age (all year) | $24,480 / yr | $1 of benefits withheld for each $2 earned over the limit |
| Year you reach full retirement age | $65,160 / yr | $1 withheld for each $3 earned over the limit — only earnings before the month you reach FRA count |
| At or beyond full retirement age | No limit | No earnings test — earn any amount with no reduction in benefits |
What counts as earnings for the test
Wages from employment, net earnings from self-employment, bonuses, commissions, fees, vacation pay, cash tips of $20 or more per month, severance pay, and all other types of earned income — including work not covered by Social Security.
Does NOT count: Investment income, rental income, pension/annuity payments, interest, or dividends. These never affect your Social Security benefit at any age.
Report expected earnings to Social Security by April 15 each year. Failure to report excess earnings may result in an overpayment that Social Security will recover by reducing future benefits.
Working and collecting — the important clarification
The earnings test does not mean you should limit your income to avoid losing benefits. Here's why:
Withheld benefits are not lost — they are credited back
If Social Security withholds benefits because you earned over the limit before your FRA, those withheld months are credited back once you reach full retirement age. Social Security recalculates your benefit upward to account for months when benefits were not paid.
Additionally, as long as you continue working, Social Security checks your earnings record each year to see whether additional earnings would increase your monthly benefit — and adjusts upward automatically if so.
Key point: Continuing to work and earn more than the exempt amount will not, on average, reduce the total value of lifetime Social Security benefits you receive — and may actually increase them.
Detailed topics — Social Security sub-pages
The following pages cover specific Social Security topics in detail for federal employees and retirees.
FERS Social Security
How FERS retirees earn and collect benefits, the Special Retirement Supplement, and strategies for when to claim.
CSRS Social Security
Eligibility for CSRS retirees with private-sector earnings, the 40-quarter requirement, and impact on your annuity.
Windfall Elimination Provision
How WEP reduces Social Security for CSRS retirees, the substantial earnings exception, and post-repeal updates.
Government Pension Offset
How GPO reduces spousal and survivor Social Security benefits for CSRS retirees — and what the repeal means.
Defer to Age 70?
The break-even analysis for delaying Social Security to age 70 for an 8%/year benefit increase.
CSRS Offset Employees
How CSRS Offset affects your annuity calculation when Social Security benefits begin at age 62.
SSA tools
& further reading.
Social Security application, your personal earnings statement, the How Work Affects Your Benefits guide, and the full Social Security Handbook.
SSA — Apply for Social Security Benefits Online
My Social Security — view your earnings record and estimated benefits
SSA Publication 05-10069 — How Work Affects Your Benefits
Social Security Handbook — complete official reference
WEP & GPO Repealed — What CSRS Retirees Need to Know Now
Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778. For enrollment assistance, earnings questions, and Medicare Part B coordination.