TN 94 (08-23)

RS 00605.367 Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Development

A. Determine if WEP applies

Use the step-action chart below to determine if WEP applies when the claimant is filing for a retirement or disability benefit, and is entitled to a pension based in whole or in part on non-covered employment after 1956. Pensions from non-covered employment outside the United States include both pensions from social insurance systems that base benefits in whole or in part on earnings and those from private employers. Some foreign countries provide pensions based solely on residence or citizenship. We do not apply WEP to foreign pensions based solely on residence or citizenship (GN 00307.290).

For information about pensions based solely on domestic or foreign employment prior to 1957, see RS 00605.362B.

If the worker is entitled to spouse's or survivor's benefits on another social security number, Government Pension Offset (GPO) may apply. For more information about GPO, see GN 02608.100.

Step Action
  1. 1. 

Is the claimant first eligible for a Social Security retirement or disability benefit after 1985?

For additional pre-1986 eligibility requirements for disability benefits, see RS 00605.360D.

  • If Yes, go to Step 2.

  • If No, do not continue with steps. WEP is only applicable when eligibility to Social Security retirement or disability benefits is after 1985.

2.

Is the claimant first eligible for a retirement or disability pension before 1986, per RS 00605.360C?

  • If Yes, WEP does not apply. Enter WEP exclusion 2 in the Windfall Elimination Exclusion (WEPX) screen. For information about the WEPX screen, see MS 02004.002. To develop options for early-out or discontinued service prior to 1986, see RS 00605.362C.

  • If no, go to Step 3.

3.

Does the claimant have 30 years of coverage (YOC), per RS 00605.362A?

  • If Yes, WEP does not apply. Enter WEP exclusion 1 in the WEPX screen.

  • If no, go to Step 4.

4.

Did the claimant have a prior period of disability as described in RS 00605.360D.3?

  • If Yes, WEP does not apply. Enter WEP exclusion 9 in WEPX screen and specify "Prior period of DIB eligibility before 1986."

  • If No, go to Step 5.

5.

Is the claimant entitled to a pension from a non-profit organization, per RS 00605.362B.2?

  • If Yes, WEP does not apply. Enter WEP exclusion 4 in WEPX screen.

  • If No, go to Step 6.

6.

Is the claimant entitled to a pension based on earnings under the Railroad Retirement Act, per RS 00605.362B.3?

  • If Yes, WEP does not apply. Enter WEP exclusion 8 in WEPX screen.

  • If No, go to Step 7.

7.

Is the claimant entitled to a pension based on military service, per RS 00605.383B?

  • If Yes, WEP does not apply. Enter WEP exclusion 6 in WEPX screen.

  • If No, go to Step 8.

8.

Does the claimant meet the criteria based on a totalization agreement, see RS 00605.386B?

  • If Yes, WEP does not apply. Enter WEP exclusion 7 in WEPX screen. When the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR) is established, add a special message to the beneficiary's MBR via Miscellaneous Online Edited Transactions (MONET). The special message should read "Totalization Agreement." For information about the Special Message data on the MBR, see MS 06307.008.

  • If No, go to RS 00605.367B.

B. Determine how to apply WEP

Use the step-action chart below to determine how to apply WEP.

Step Action
  1. 1. 

Is the claimant entitled to the pension at the time of filing for Social Security?
2. Does the claimant have between 21-29 YOCs?
  • If Yes, replace the first factor per RS 00605.362A.2. and go to Step 3.

  • If No, go to Step 3.

3. Is the claimant receiving the pension in other than a monthly amount?
  • If Yes, develop per RS 00605.364C. and go to Step 4.

  • If No, go to Step 4.

4. Does the WEP guarantee apply, per RS 00605.370?
  • If Yes, verify the pension amount per RS 00605.366C.

  • If No, accept the claimant’s allegation regarding the pension amount and document the file, per RS 00605.366C.

 

C. References

  • RS 00605.364 Determining Pension Applicability, Eligibility Date, and Monthly Amount

  • RS 00605.372 Special Situations Applied to WEP

  • RS 00605.380 National Guard Civilian Pensions for Dual Status Technicians: Petersen Court Case


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300605367
RS 00605.367 - Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Development - 07/05/2023
Batch run: 08/15/2023
Rev:07/05/2023