WEP will not apply if you have more than how many years of substantial earnings?

The correct answer is 30 years. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) affects how Social Security benefits are calculated for individuals who also receive a pension from a job where they did not pay Social Security taxes, such as government jobs in certain states. However, the WEP does not apply to individuals who have accumulated 30 or more years of substantial earnings in jobs covered by Social Security. This threshold recognizes that individuals with considerable work history in the Social Security system should have a formula applied that does not overly penalize them due to their additional pension income.

Under the substantial earnings test, "substantial earnings" refer to those earnings that exceed a certain amount defined by the Social Security Administration, adjusted each year. For those whose work history meets this criterion, the effect of WEP on their benefits is minimized, reflecting the principle that more extensive contributions to the Social Security system should lead to more favorable treatment when calculating benefits.