What’s a government pension offset?

If you receive a government pension and did not pay into Social Security, but your spouse or ex-spouse did pay into Social Security for more than forty quarters, you might be eligible for spousal benefits. However, two thirds of your pension payments will offset the Social Security payments. The GPO can sometimes wipe out any spousal benefits you may have otherwise received. The GPO is also applied to survivor benefits. The GPO doesn’t impact minor or disabled children drawing on your Social Security record.