Social Security: The Government Pension Offset

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Banking and finance

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Abstract:

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision reduces Social Security benefits that a person receives as a spouse if he or she also has a government pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security. Its purpose is to replicate Social Security's "dual entitlement" rule, which requires that a Social Security benefit earned as a worker be subtracted from any Social Security spousal benefit for which the worker is eligible. Its intent is to remove an advantage these workers would otherwise receive if they could receive both a government pension and full Social Security spousal benefits. Opponents contend that the provision is basically inaccurate and often unfair. Six bills have been introduced in the 108th Congress that would modify or repeal the provision. This report will be updated periodically.