Question: Karen from Harrison: I worked in local government for almost 30 years, but I had some side jobs in retail as well. So I’ll have a public pension and get Social Security benefits, right?

Answer: Yes – but with the big caution that your Social Security benefit from your retail work could be reduced. It depends on whether you paid Social Security taxes on your government earnings.

Here’s the deal: Social Security’s formula for calculating benefits is weighted to help lower lifetime earners get a benefit that’s proportionately a greater share of their career earnings. However, this same formula can’t tell the difference between an actual low earner and someone who appears to be a low earner because they don’t pay Social Security taxes on their public sector earnings – which is the case for many government workers, especially in Ohio.

As a result, Congress felt that some government workers with additional private sector income were getting an unintended ‘windfall’ at retirement: A public pension and a relatively robust Social Security benefit. So, in 1983, Congress passed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) as a part of sweeping Social Security reform to stop this ‘double dipping’ from continuing.

Therefore, if you didn’t pay Social Security taxes on your government income, the WEP will likely reduce the Social Security benefit you earned as a retail worker (the good news is that your benefit cannot be eliminated entirely). But there are some caveats about ‘substantial earnings’ as well as a complicated formula that determines the reduction amount, so we recommend using Social Security’s online WEP calculator or calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Even better? Talk with a fiduciary financial advisor.

There has been some recent bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress to repeal the WEP, but nothing has been passed into law so it still applies as of now. Therefore, the Allworth Advice is that you need to check if you paid Social Security taxes when you worked in the public sector. This is the first step in determining if the WEP applies to your situation.

Q: Caroline from Oakley: My daughter will be a sophomore in college in the fall and wants to study abroad. Can we use her 529 plan for these costs?

A In order to use 529 plan money, the institution through which she’s doing the program must eligible for what’s called ‘Title IV’ federal student aid. But the good news is, that’s the vast majority of the nation’s post-secondary institutions (and more than 100 international schools) – so there’s a very good chance that, yes, you can use her 529 college savings plan to pay for her study abroad expenses. You can double check if the school qualifies by searching the Federal School Code List on the Federal Student Aid website.

However, we should note that not all expenses related to her trip will qualify as tax-free withdrawals. Qualified expenses include tuition, fees, books, room and board, and computer equipment and software; things like travel and transportation, activity and sports fees, and health insurance costs are not considered qualified. And as a reminder, if she makes a non-qualified withdrawal, that amount is subject to income taxes and a 10 percent penalty. Your daughter also needs to at least be enrolled as a half-time student; if her credits fall below this threshold, this could also trigger a tax penalty.

Here's the Allworth Advice: The big key here is making sure that the school is eligible to participate in federal student aid programs. Likewise, have her do a little research so she understands what kinds of expenses do (and don’t) qualify for tax-free withdrawals. We hope she enjoys her trip!

Every week, Allworth Financial’s Amy Wagner and Steve Sprovach answer your questions. If you, a friend, or someone in your family has a money issue or problem, feel free to send those questions to yourmoney@enquirer.com.

Responses are for informational purposes only and individuals should consider whether any general recommendation in these responses is suitable for their particular circumstances based on investment objectives, financial situation and needs. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional adviser of his/her choosing, including a tax adviser and/or attorney. Retirement planning services offered through Allworth Financial, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through AW Securities, a Registered Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Visit allworthfinancial.com or call 513-469-7500.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Allworth Advice: Can a 529 be used to pay for study abroad?