Can I collect Social Security and My Pension at the Same Time?

If you have a pension, you may be wondering whether receiving that pension changes your Social Security benefits. The answer depends largely on whether your employment was covered by Social Security and whether you earned enough Social Security credits during your career.

Recent legislation also changes the rules for many public-sector workers. Understanding what applies to you can help you get a clearer picture of the retirement income you may be eligible to receive.

Private-Sector Pensions and Social Security

For most private-sector workers, receiving a pension does not prevent you from receiving Social Security retirement benefits. Employees in Social Security-covered employment generally pay Social Security taxes through FICA, allowing them to earn credits toward future benefits.

To qualify for Social Security retirement benefits based on your own work record, you generally need 40 credits. In 2026, you can earn up to four credits per year through covered earnings.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may receive both your private-sector pension and Social Security benefits.

Public-Sector Pensions Can Be Different

The situation can be more nuanced for teachers, government employees, and other public-sector workers because some state, local, and federal government positions are not covered by Social Security.

For example, someone who spends an entire career in a public-sector position that does not withhold Social Security taxes may receive a government pension but may not qualify for Social Security retirement benefits on their own work record. Conversely, many public employees do work in Social Security-covered positions and earn Social Security credits.

Federal employment illustrates this distinction. Employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System generally pay Social Security taxes, while some employees covered under the older Civil Service Retirement System did not pay Social Security taxes on those federal earnings.

WEP and GPO No Longer Reduce Benefits

One of the most important recent changes involves the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP, and the Government Pension Offset, or GPO.

The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025, repealing both provisions. The repeal applies to Social Security benefits payable for January 2024 and later. Previously, WEP could reduce Social Security benefits based on a worker’s own record when that person also received a pension from employment not covered by Social Security. GPO could reduce certain Social Security spouse or survivor benefits.

As a result, Social Security no longer reduces or eliminates benefits simply because someone receives a pension from work that was not covered by Social Security.

You Still Have to Qualify for Social Security

The repeal of WEP and GPO does not automatically make someone eligible for Social Security benefits.

If you are claiming retirement benefits based on your own work history, you still need the required Social Security credits. Someone who has spent an entire career in non-covered employment and has never earned enough Social Security credits may receive a pension without qualifying for retirement benefits on their own Social Security record.

This distinction is important: the new law changes how certain pensions interact with Social Security benefits, but it does not eliminate Social Security’s underlying eligibility requirements.

What About Spousal, Divorced-Spouse, and Survivor Benefits?

A public-sector pension also no longer triggers the former GPO reduction for Social Security spouse or surviving-spouse benefits payable for January 2024 and later.

Eligibility for these benefits still depends on Social Security’s separate requirements. For example, someone who is divorced may potentially qualify for benefits based on a former spouse’s work record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and other requirements are satisfied.

Survivor benefits have their own eligibility rules as well, so having a pension does not by itself determine whether you qualify.

Can You Receive Both a Pension and Social Security?

In many cases, yes. You may be able to receive a pension and Social Security at the same time.

The key is determining whether you—or, when applicable, your spouse or former spouse—meet the eligibility requirements for the Social Security benefit being claimed. With WEP and GPO repealed, a pension from employment that was not covered by Social Security no longer causes the reductions those provisions previously imposed for benefits payable beginning in January 2024.

Reviewing your Social Security earnings history and understanding the type of pension you have can help you see how the different pieces of your retirement income fit together. If you have questions about your specific financial situation, schedule a complimentary consultation with me today!