SECTION 10: RESOURCES



CSRS OFFSET RETIREMENT

To request a copy of a Social Security Statement from the Social Security Administration (SSA), go to the SSA web site () or call the agency’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778. This statement can then be used when computing the CSRS Offset reduction.

For more information about CSRS Offset retirement, see OPM Publication No. RI-83-19, Retirement Facts 13: CSRS Offset Retirement (available through the OPM web site, ).

Related Resources That Cover Reductions to Social Security Benefits

For more information on the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), consult the following publications:

▪ “Government Pension Offset: A Law That Affects Spouse’s or Widow(er)’s Benefits.”

▪ “The Windfall Elimination Provision: How It Affects Your Social Security or Disability Benefits.”

▪ For more information about reductions to benefits related to working while receiving benefits, review “How Work Affects Your Benefits.”

▪ These publications are also available by calling the Social Security Administration toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

For Online Lessons on Possible Reductions to Social Security Benefits

Circumstances may dictate application of certain provisions that reduce a person’s Social Security benefits. Detailed information about these possible reductions are covered in the following additional lessons:

▪ Windfall Elimination Provision Lesson

▪ Government Pension Offset Lesson

▪ How Work Affects Benefits Lesson

DISABILITY BENEFITS

Resources: Other Online Lessons

Other online lessons present indepth discussions of topics potentially impacting disability benefits that were mentioned in this lesson.

These related lessons include:

▪ Social Security Benefits Overview Lesson

▪ Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Lesson

▪ CSRS Offset Lesson

▪ Survivor Benefits Lesson

▪ FERS Annuity Supplement Lesson

Resources: Assistance via the Internet

The Social Security Administration (SSA), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the Department of Defense (DoD) have excellent websites to assist in answering questions, estimating benefits, providing copies of forms and publications, and directing users to other sources of information and assistance.

▪ For information about Social Security disability benefits, check the SSA website:

▪ For information about CSRS, CSRS Offset, and FERS disability benefits, check the OPM website:

▪ For information about military retirement and disability benefits, check the DOD website:

Resources: SSA Publications

For more information about disability benefits, see the following Social Security publications:

▪ “Disability Benefits.” pubs/10029.html

▪ “Survivors Benefits.” pubs/10084.html

▪ “The Windfall Elimination Provision: How It Affects Your Social Security or Disability Benefits.” pubs/10045.html

▪ “Military Service and Social Security.” pubs/10017.html

▪ “How Workers’ Compensation and Other Disability Payments May Affect Your Benefits.” pubs/10018.html

These publications are also available by calling SSA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or

TTY 1-800-325-0778.

DISABILITY BENEFITS

Resources: OPM Publications

For more information about CSRS, CSRS Offset, and FERS disability benefits, see the following Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publications:

▪ “FERS Election Opportunities: Disability Benefits Under CSRS and FERS” (ID No. RI-90-12). fers_election/html/db.htm

▪ “Your Health Is a Concern to You.” fers_election/html/more_11.htm

▪ “FEDMER: Overview.” benefits/fedmer/overview.htm

These and other OPM publications are also available by calling OPM’s toll-free numbers:

1-888-767-6738, or TTY 1-800-878-5707. (If in the Washington, DC, area, call 202-606-0500.)

FERS ANNUITY SUPPLEMENT

Resources: Other Online Lessons

Other online lessons present indepth discussions of topics related to the FERS annuity supplement that were mentioned in this lesson.

These related lessons include:

▪ Social Security Benefits Overview Lesson

▪ How Work Affects Benefits Lesson

Resources: Assistance via the Internet

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have excellent websites to assist in answering questions, estimating benefits, providing copies of forms and publications, and directing users to other sources of information and assistance.

▪ For information about Social Security benefits, check the SSA website:

▪ For the Social Security Benefits Planner, check the SSA website: planners

▪ For information about CSRS, CSRS Offset, FERS, and TransFERS benefits, check the OPM website:

▪ For the Federal Retirement Benefits Calculator, check the First Government for Seniors website: frb/fedcalc.htm

Resources: SSA Publications & Telephone Assistance

For information about Social Security, see the following publications:

▪ “Retirement Benefits.” pubs/10035.html

▪ “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” pubs/10069.html

▪ “How Your Retirement Benefit Is Figured.” pubs/10070.html

These publications are also available by calling SSA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or

TTY 1-800-325-0778.

FERS ANNUITY SUPPLEMENT

Resources: OPM Publications & Telephone Assistance

For more information about CSRS, CSRS Offset, and FERS benefits:

▪ See Chapter 51 of the OPM publication “CSRS and FERS Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices.” asd/htm/hod.htm)

▪ See the fact sheet on the supplement located at FERS_election/html/srs.htm

For information about retirement or annuity matters:

▪ Retirees can call the OPM Retirement Information Center’s toll-free numbers:

1-888-767-6738, or TTY 1-800-878-5707. (If in the Washington, DC, area,

call 202-606-0500.)

▪ Personnelists can call their agency’s Headquarters-level retirement counselor. A list of Headquarters-level retirement counselors is available at benefits

HOW WORK AFFECTS BENEFITS

For Information on Reductions to Benefits Due to Work . . .

For information on reductions to Social Security retirement benefits related to working while receiving benefits, access the Social Security publication, “How Work Affects Your Benefits.”

For details about retirement earnings test exempt amounts.

These publications are also available by calling the Social Security Administration toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

For an Online Calculator To Estimate Reductions to Social Security Benefits . . .

The Social Security Administration Internet site offers an online calculator to help determine the effects of the earnings test on an individual’s Social Security benefits.

To use this calculator, enter a person’s date of birth, estimated earnings, and estimated monthly benefit. The calculator then applies the retirement test, and provides an estimate of the potential reduction to benefits.

Use this link to access the calculator that applies the retirement earnings test to individual data.

For Information on Other Types of Adjustments to Benefits . . .

There are two other kinds of adjustments, when someone works, that relate to pensions from work not covered by Social Security. For information on these adjustments, see the following Social Security publications:

▪ “Government Pension Offset: A Law That Affects Spouse’s or Widow(er)’s Benefits.”

▪ “The Windfall Elimination Provision: How It Affects Your Social Security or Disability Benefits.”

These publications are also available by calling the Social Security Administration toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

For Online Lessons on Possible Reductions to Social Security Benefits . . .

More detailed information about the other two possible reductions to Social Security benefits is presented in the following additional lessons:

▪ Windfall Elimination Provision Lesson

▪ Government Pension Offset Lesson

MILITARY SERVICE

Resources: Other Online Lessons

Other online lessons present indepth discussions of topics potentially impacting military service and its effect on benefits that were mentioned in this lesson.

These related lessons include:

▪ Social Security Benefits Overview Lesson

▪ Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Lesson

▪ Disability Benefits Lesson

▪ Survivor Benefits Lesson

Resources: Assistance via the Internet

The Social Security Administration (SSA), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the Department of Defense (DoD) have excellent websites to assist in answering questions, estimating benefits, providing copies of forms and publications, and directing users to other sources of information and assistance.

▪ For information about Social Security benefits, check the SSA website:

▪ For information about CSRS, CSRS Offset, FERS, and TransFERS benefits, check the OPM website:

▪ For information about military retirement and other benefits, check the DoD website:

Within DOD, for specific questions about military retired and annuitant pay and benefits, check: dfas.mil/money/retired/

Resources: SSA Publications & Telephone Assistance

For information about military service and Social Security, see the following publications:

▪ “Military Service and Social Security.” pubs/10017.html

▪ “Disability Benefits.” pubs/10029.html

▪ “Survivors Benefits.” pubs/10084.html

▪ “The Windfall Elimination Provision: How It Affects Your Social Security Retirement or Disability Benefits.” pubs/10045.html

▪ “Government Pension Offset: A Law That Affects Spouse’s or Widow(er)’s Benefits.” pubs/10007.html

These publications are also available by calling SSA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or

TTY 1-800-325-0778.

MILITARY SERVICE

Resources: OPM Publications & Telephone Assistance

For more information about CSRS, CSRS Offset, and FERS benefits, see the following Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publications:

▪ “CSRS and FERS Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices.” asd/htm/hod.htm

▪ “Information for Survivor Annuitants” (ID No. RI 25-26). retire/html/ri25-26/2526-07.htm

▪ “FERS Election Opportunities: Disability Benefits Under CSRS and FERS” (ID No. RI-90-12). fers_election/html/db.htm

For information about retirement or annuity matters, call the OPM Retirement Information Center’s toll-free numbers: 1-888-767-6738, or TTY 1-800-878-5707. (If in the Washington, DC, area, call 202-606-0500.)

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS OVERVIEW

Publications

Social Security offers a number of free publications with information about various Social Security programs, in the following categories:

▪ Introduction to the Social Security Program (13 publications)

▪ Disability Benefits (22 publications)

▪ Retirement Benefits (15 publications)

▪ Survivor Benefits (4 publications)

▪ Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) (24 publications)

▪ The Appeals Process (6 publications)

▪ Social Security Number (6 programs)

▪ Work and Earnings (18 publications)

▪ Subjects of Special Interest (23 publications)

▪ Other Information (10 publications)

To obtain these publications:

▪ Use this link ( .

▪ Call the toll-free number (1-800-772-1213), or TTY (1-800-325-0778).

Internet Resources

Social Security Online, the agency’s website at , offers a variety of information and services:

▪ Publications to download on all aspects of Social Security programs.

▪ Forms to use to request various services, such as a Social Security Statement, a replacement Social Security or Medicare card, or benefit verification.

▪ Social Security e-news, an electronic newsletter delivered free via e-mail that presents updates on changes in Social Security programs.

▪ A Retirement Planner designed to help people of all ages plan their future financial security using their Social Security benefits as a base.

▪ An Internet query service that enables people to view basic account information from their Social Security records.

▪ Need a speaker? If you would like a speaker from the Social Security Administration to address your employees, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit the agency’s website ().

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS OVERVIEW

Toll-Free Phone and TTY Numbers

The Social Security toll-free number (1-800-772-1213) provides access to recorded information 24 hours a day. On business days, service representatives are available between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

People who have hearing impairments can call the toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.

The Service Representatives who answer these toll-free lines can arrange appointments for callers at local Social Security offices.

Local Service Office Representatives

To schedule an appointment with a Social Security representative at a local office, people can call the toll-free numbers (1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778). Social Security conducts business by appointment so that customers receive assistance in a prompt manner.

SURVIVOR BENEFITS

Resources: Other Online Lessons

Other online lessons present indepth discussions of topics potentially impacting survivor benefits that were mentioned in this lesson.

These related lessons include:

▪ Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Lesson

▪ How Work Affects Benefits Lesson

▪ CSRS Offset Lesson

▪ Government Pension Offset (GPO) Lesson

▪ Disability Benefits Lesson

▪ Military Service Lesson

▪ FERS Annuity Supplement Lesson

Resources: Assistance via the Internet

The Social Security Administration (SSA), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the Department of Defense (DOD) have excellent websites to assist in answering questions, estimating benefits, providing copies of forms and publications, and directing users to other sources of information and assistance.

▪ For information about Social Security survivor benefits, check the SSA website:

▪ For information about CSRS, CSRS Offset, FERS, and TransFERS survivor benefits, check the OPM website:

▪ For information about military retirement and survivor benefits, check the DOD website:

Resources: SSA Publications

For more information about survivor benefits, see the following Social Security publications:

▪ “Survivors Benefits.”

▪ “Government Pension Offset: A Law That Affects Spouse’s or Widow(er)’s Benefits.”

▪ “The Windfall Elimination Provision: How It Affects Your Social Security or Disability Benefits.”

▪ “How Work Affects Your Benefits.”

▪ “Military Service and Social Security.”

These publications are also available by calling SSA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213,

or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

SURVIVOR BENEFITS

Resources: OPM Publications

For more information about CSRS, CSRS Offset, and FERS survivor benefits, see the following Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publications:

▪ “Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Guide for Federal Retirees and Their

Survivors – 2002” (ID No. RI 70-9). insure/02/html/standard/guides/70-9.pdf

▪ “Information for FERS Survivor Annuitants” (ID No. RI-90-12). retire

▪ “Information for Survivor Annuitants” (ID No. RI-25-26). retire/html/ri25-26/ri25-26.pdf

▪ “Retirement Facts: Survivor Benefits Under the CSRS” (ID No. RI-83-05). fers_election/facts/ri83-5.pdf

▪ “Survivor Benefits for Children” (ID No. RI-25-27). retire/html/ri25-27/ri25-027.pdf

These OPM publications are also available by calling OPM at 1-202-606-0623.

WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION (WEP)

For Information on Reductions to Benefits . . .

For information about reductions to benefits due to pensions from work not covered by Social Security, see the following publications:

▪ “The Windfall Elimination Provision: How It Affects Your Social Security or Disability Benefits.”

▪ “Government Pension Offset: A Law That Affects Spouse’s or Widow(er)’s Benefits.”

These publications are also available by calling the Social Security Administration toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

For More Information on Benefit Reductions . . .

For information about reductions to benefits due to working while receiving benefits, access “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” at

For details about retirement earnings test exempt amounts.



These publications are also available by calling the Social Security Administration toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

For Online Lessons on Possible Reductions to Social Security Benefits . . .

In addition to the Windfall Elimination Provision, circumstances may dictate that other provisions apply that reduce a person’s Social Security benefit.

More detailed information about the two other possible reductions to Social Security benefits is presented in the following additional lessons:

▪ Government Pension Offset Lesson

▪ How Work Affects Benefits Lesson

FEHB & MEDICARE

For More Information About FEHB and Medicare . . .

The following resources provide additional details about FEHB and Medicare coverage:

▪ The publication “Medicare and You 2004” (Pub. No. 10050, available through the Medicare website: ).

▪ The OPM publication “The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and Medicare” (Publication # RI 75-12, available through the OPM website: ).

▪ Medicare’s toll-free number: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

▪ TRICARE-for-Life’s toll-free number: 1-888-363-5433, or the TRICARE website: tricare.osd.mil.

▪ The Social Security Administration’s toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET (GPO)

For Information on Reductions to Benefits

For more information about reductions to benefits related to pensions from work not covered by Social Security, see the following publications:

▪ “Government Pension Offset: A Law That Affects Spouse’s or Widow(er)’s Benefits.”

▪ “The Windfall Elimination Provision: How It Affects Your Social Security or Disability Benefits.”

For more information about reductions to benefits related to working while receiving benefits, click this link to access “How Work Affects Your Benefits.”

These publications are also available by calling the Social Security Administration toll-free numbers: 1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

For Online Lessons on Possible Reductions to Social Security Benefits

In addition to the Government Pension Offset, circumstances may dictate that other provisions apply that may reduce a person’s Social Security benefits.

More detailed information about the two other possible reductions to Social Security benefits is presented in the following additional lessons:

▪ Windfall Elimination Provision Lesson

▪ How Work Affects Benefits Lesson

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