Do pension offsets apply only to federal government pensions or also to state, county, and city pensions?

Q. Do pension offsets apply only to federal government pensions or also to state, county, and city pensions?

A. The Government Pension Offset of spouse and widow benefits applies to any public employment that was not covered by Social Security. The pension received could be from local, state or Federal employment.

A second offset, known as the Windfall Elimination Provision, reduces an individual’s own Social Security if he or she also earned an annuity from non-Social Security employment that was not covered by Social Security. Pensions based on employment with international organizations located in this country or based on employment performed outside the United States can also invoke this offset.