WEP (US Social Security) and Japanese National Pension

[Nattokin]

My wife has been receiving US Social Security for more than 5 years, and her benefit amount has been drastically reduced by the US Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) because she also receives some Japanese National Pension (JNP) income.

I heard, however, that the WEP rule concerning JNP income was rescinded a year or two ago.

Recently I found the following statement on the Tokyo US Embassy website, and it has me wondering how long we may have to wait until we hear anything from the Social Security Administration about a recalculation of benefits -- or if we'll hear from them at all.

Important: The Social Security Administration is reviewing the records of Japanese pensioners who receive ... the Japanese National Pension (JNP) to determine if a benefit recalculation is needed. The JNP... is not subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) because that pension is based on residency... If we determine a benefit recalculation is needed, we will take appropriate action to correct the case. We note, however, that these case reviews will likely be a multi-year effort.

Q: Has anyone in a similar situation been contacted by US Social Security to have their benefit amount recalculated?

[captainspoke]

Not a similar situation since I also get a second pension in addition to national. But no, I haven't heard anything.

There is some legislation pending that would do away with the WEP, tho I'm not sure if it has much chance of coming to fruition.

[Nattokin]

Not a similar situation since I also get a second pension in addition to national.

Actually, if you get both a national (kokumin, or JNP) and a second (kosei, or EPI) Japanese pension, I believe this should still apply to you for the national part -- assuming you started receiving US Social Security payments prior to the change in 2023. If you applied for benefits after the change, they shouldn't have asked you about the JNP amount you receive.

And, yeah, I read that there was some recent movement in Congress about eliminating WEP altogether. It would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath about that.