The windfall act only applies if you did not pay FICA tax while employed. Seems fair that if you did t pay into the system you don’t get the benefits out....
Welcome to the club.
I am in the same situation as you. I, like you, paid into both social security and the Fed retirement system. My work that deducted fica tax wasn’t a huge amount but enough that I qualified for social security. When I applied, I was told that I would receive only half of the calculated social security payment because I was also receiving (earned and paid for) Fed retirement.
When they deducted fica from my pay they did not deduct “half” the amount of the tax but took the whole amount and now that I have qualified to receive social security they say I am only going to receive “half” of what other people are entitled to.
I paid the full required amount into both systems so why am I now denied the full benefit?
Another interesting tidbit is that medicare premiums are automatically deducted from my social security. Each year there is a very small cost of living increase and each year the medicare premium goes up the exact amount of the COL increase. Interesting! They give with one hand and take it back with the other.
And now for those of you who criticize Government retires, not all Gov employees are fat cats in Washington D.C.. Many are employed by the Department of Defense supporting our military in various less than desirable locations around the world. Yes it was my choice and, now, I expect to be paid for my service, as was advertised.
You had the same opportunity as I, to choose where to work. I chose the more difficult path which promised a decent retirement. Don’t bitch at me because you didn’t want to endure some hardships in order to have a decent retirement.
And by the way, most union retires have a larger retirement than I do, that is why your auto, for example, costs you an arm and a leg. Go complain about that.
Rant over.