Does pension from deceased spouse affect my social security?

[shanaling]

If my spouse passes away, and I will receive her pension benefits, which is higher than my social security benefits, how does that affect my social security benefits, if at all?

[Sandi_k]

It doesn't. Social Security isn't means-tested.

Yet.

[Catbert]

It doesn't. Social Security isn't means-tested.

Yet.

Not always true.  If your pension is from a government  entity that didn't pay into social security there could be an offset.  Google Government Pension Offset

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf

[Sandi_k]

It doesn't. Social Security isn't means-tested.

Yet.

Not always true.  If your pension is from a government  entity that didn't pay into social security there could be an offset.  Google Government Pension Offset

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf

OK, fair. But it's HIS SocSec, not his spouse's.

[Catbert]

It doesn't. Social Security isn't means-tested.

Yet.

You're right, I didn't notice that.  OP still needs to dive into both Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision to ensure they aren't impacted. 

Not always true.  If your pension is from a government  entity that didn't pay into social security there could be an offset.  Google Government Pension Offset

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf

OK, fair. But it's HIS SocSec, not his spouse's.

[Sandi_k]

??? Your quoted post has no new content....

[deborah]

It doesn't. Social Security isn't means-tested.

Yet.

Not always true.  If your pension is from a government  entity that didn't pay into social security there could be an offset.  Google Government Pension Offset

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf

OK, fair. But it's HIS SocSec, not his spouse's.

You're right, I didn't notice that.  OP still needs to dive into both Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision to ensure they aren't impacted. 

Moved the content that was in the wrong place

[Rob_bob]

SS can be taxed depending on your total income, and IIRC 50% of your SS income counts towards total income.

[MDM]

SS can be taxed depending on your total income, and IIRC 50% of your SS income counts towards total income.

Yup.  See Taxation of Social Security benefits - Bogleheads.

[Cassie]

It doesn't. Social Security isn't means-tested.

Yet.

Not always true.  If your pension is from a government  entity that didn't pay into social security there could be an offset.  Google Government Pension Offset

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf

OK, fair. But it's HIS SocSec, not his spouse's.

GPO specifically is for these situations where the pension isn’t his but SS is. It’s complicated if her pension doesn’t pay into SS which we don’t know at this point.

[shanaling]

She doesn’t pay social security tax

[Spicolli]

I believe it won't affect your SS...the GPO is if you earn a pension from your own non-SS contributing work and try to take SS based on your spouse's benefits. As the ss.gov link provided above states:

When won’t my Social Security
benefits be reduced?
Generally, we won’t reduce your Social Security
benefits as a spouse, widow, or widower if you:
• Receive a government pension that’s not
based on your earnings;