Pension Plan Integration With Social Security

Definition of "Pension plan integration with social security"

Offset or subtraction of Social Security benefits from earned benefits in a qualified pension plan to reduce a pension benefit. Many business firms offset their pension payments by the amount of a retiree's Social Security benefit. For example, John Smith has earned a monthly pension benefit of $950. His monthly Social Security payment is $688. If his employer applies 100% integration, his pension is reduced by the entire Social Security benefit; he will receive $950 minus $688, or $262 monthly. More commonly, integration is based on a percentage of Social Security. With 50% integration, 50% of the Social Security benefit ($344) would be subtracted from the $950 pension for a monthly benefit of $606. Offsets were limited by the tax reform act OF 1986.