Can you collect both a pension and Social Security?

Asked by: Porter Larson III  |  Last update: September 25, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (8 votes)

For most retirees, receiving a pension won't affect the amount of your Social Security payouts. You can enjoy both. However, if your pension comes from a certain type of job, your benefits could be impacted.

Can you collect Social Security and pension at the same time?

Can you collect Social Security and a pension at the same time? You can retire with Social Security and a pension at the same time, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) might reduce your Social Security benefit if your pension is from a job at which you did not pay Social Security taxes on your wages.

Will my Social Security be reduced if I have a government pension?

*Public Law 98-21, Social Security Amendments of 1983, approved April 20, 1983. How much will my Social Security benefits be reduced? We'll reduce your Social Security benefits by two- thirds of your government pension.

How much will my Social Security be reduced if I have a military pension?

Generally, there is no reduction of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement benefits. You'll get your Social Security benefit based on your earnings and the age you choose to start receiving benefits. While you're in military service, you pay Social Security taxes, just as civilian employees do.

Does pension count as income?

Generally, pension and annuity payments are subject to Federal income tax withholding. The withholding rules apply to the taxable part of payments or distributions from an employer pension, annuity, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or other deferred compensation plan.

How Pension Income Affects Social Security Benefits

32 related questions found

Will my pension affect my Social Security?

For Retirement and Disability benefits

Your Social Security benefit might be reduced if you get a pension from an employer who wasn't required to withhold Social Security taxes. This reduction is called the “Windfall Elimination Provision” (WEP).

How do I avoid paying tax on my pension?

Investors can avoid taxes on a lump sum pension payout by rolling over the proceeds into an individual retirement account (IRA) or other eligible retirement accounts.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.

What is the average pension for retired military?

In general, Retired Soldiers who have accumulated 20 years of active service are eligible for Retired Pay. (YOS) will receive retired pay equivalent to 60% of final basic pay (50% +10% (2.5% x 4 years)). Final Pay Plan also includes a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) - usually annually.

Do you get extra money from Social Security for being a veteran?

Table of Contents. Your military pension does not affect your Social Security benefits. You'll get your full Social Security benefit based on your earnings. Survivor benefits may affect benefits payable under the optional Department of Defense Survivors Benefit Plan.

How much Social Security do you lose if you have a pension?

The WEP may apply if you receive both a pension and Social Security benefits. In that case, the WEP can reduce your Social Security payments by up to 50% of your pension amount. This reduction is known as the WEP PIA.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement.

When should I take Social Security if I have a pension?

While you can file a Social Security claim as early as age 62 , you won't receive your full PIA unless you hold off until your full retirement age—that's between 66 and 67, depending on when you were born. Your benefits continue to increase if you wait beyond that, until you reach age 70.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

Can you get a government pension and Social Security?

It reduces their Social Security benefits in some cases. If you receive a pension from a government job but did not pay Social Security taxes while you had the job, we'll reduce your Social Security spouse, widow, or widower benefits by two-thirds of the amount of your government pension.

Can I collect my husband's Social Security and my pension?

Yes. If you qualify for your own retirement and spouse's benefits, we will always pay your own benefits first. If your benefit amount as a spouse is higher than your own retirement benefit, you will get a combination of the two benefits that equals the higher amount.

Is military retirement pay for life?

A pension (defined benefit), which is only available to those who retire after at least 20 years of service. It is fully funded by the government and is paid out as an annuity for life, on a monthly basis.

What is the maximum Social Security benefit in 2025?

However, if you retire at age 62 in 2025, your maximum benefit would be $2,831. If you retire at age 70 in 2025, your maximum benefit would be $5,108.

Is military pension taxed?

A Payments you receive as a member of a military service generally are taxed as wages except for retirement pay, which is taxed as a pension. If your retirement pay is based on age or length of service, it is taxable and must be included in your income as a pension on lines 5a and 5b of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.

How to get $3000 a month of Social Security benefits?

Exactly how much in earnings do you need to get a $3,000 benefit? Well, you just need to have averaged about 70% of the taxable maximum. In our example case, that means that your earnings in 1983 were about $22,000 and increased every year to where they ended at about $100,000 at age 62.

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

Indeed, here are three ways you can lose at least part of your Social Security benefit.
  • No. 1: Keep working while taking benefits early. ...
  • No. 2: Be a substantially lower-earning spouse. ...
  • No. 3: Be alive in 2034. ...
  • Social Security still provides an important foundation for retirement.

At what age do seniors stop paying federal taxes?

Taxes aren't determined by age, so you will never age out of paying taxes. People who are 65 or older at the end of 2024 have to file a return for tax year 2024 (which is due in 2025) if their gross income is $16,550 or higher. If you're married filing jointly and both 65 or older, that amount is $32,300.

Do pensions count as earned income?

Pension payments, annuities, and the interest or dividends from your savings and investments are not earnings for Social Security purposes. You may need to pay income tax, but you do not pay Social Security taxes.

Can you cash out a pension?

Under certain circumstances, it is possible to withdraw your pension early. However, this can end up being costly. It isn't against the law to withdraw from your pot before your retirement age but you may pay up to 55% tax on your withdrawals.