All my earnings over the past 44 years (I am currently 61 and retired) were social security covered. I never worked in any state jobs. My wife had only 7 years of social security covered earnings (1976 to 1982) which did not result in enough credits for her to receive her own social security benefit. However, my wife has worked on a state job the last 14 years and will get a state pension.

If my wife had enough credits for a social security benefit I would have expected that benefit would be reduced due to WEP. But I would not expect her spousal benefit to be reduced. Her spousal benefit in the social security report is about 35% of my benefit. I thought it should be 50% because my understanding is that WEP doesn't affect spousal benefits unless the other spouse's benefit (i.e. my benefit) was reduced due to WEP, which is not the case.

Can you help me understand why my wife's spousal benefit in the ESP Social Security report is only 35% of my benefit instead of 50%? Am I misunderstanding something?

Thanks,

Tom