If I File For Social Security Disability Will They Offset My Pension?The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. It depends upon the type of pension the disability applicant is receiving. Most pensions do not offset an individual's Social Security Disability benefits. Individuals who are receiving a pension based upon earnings that were covered by Social Security taxes will not have any kind of offset of their Social Security Disability benefits. However, there were, and are, some employers who did not buy into the Social Security system and, in these cases, no Social Security taxes were withheld from their employees' earnings. Individuals who worked for employers who were not part of the system (but collected other tax on their employees' earnings) may still be eligible to receive a disability benefit--but it may be offset due to a pension based upon their non-covered work, i.e. earnings not taxed for Social Security. There are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, if an individual has thirty years of covered earnings at a certain level, they may be excluded from an offset. Some examples of employers who may not have taken out Social Security taxes might be state governments, federal government, some medical facilities, and school districts, just to name a few. If a person receives a pension from an employer who did not withhold Social Security taxes, they will have an offset of their Social Security Disability or retirement benefit unless they meet one of the offset exclusions. On the other hand, individuals who have military pensions, or pensions from employers who withheld Social Security taxes, can receive Social Security Disability and their pensions with no offset. This means they can receive the full amount of their benefit from both their employer and Social Security if the employer has no offset provision for their pension. Some employers try to offset the amount they have to pay an individual when the individual becomes entitled to other benefits. Most employers do not offset retirement pensions, but they may offset the amount they pay if an individual is receiving a pension based upon disability. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Filing for disability with spinal fusion What medical conditions get you approved for disability? Social Security Disability qualifications How to claim disability benefits Filing for disability with herniated disc Can You Work While You Appeal Your Social Security Disability Decision? When Social Security Disability Sends You To A Doctor, What Kind Is It? How to file for disability in South Carolina Filing for disability with crohn's disease Social Security Disability denied Denied for disability length of illness If I file for disability do I need pharmacy printouts? Will disability go up at retirement age? Disability denied twice How many times will Social Security deny you? |
