This CalRTA BLOG promotes
Social Security Fairness and Solvency.
Social Security Fairness and Solvency.
We encourage viewers to add comments to these pages.
We seek personal hardships stories created by
the Social Security penalties: WEP/GPO.
the Social Security penalties: WEP/GPO.
Teachers are often hurt by what are called “public servant penalties” in Social Security – the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.
Background
Originally, the Social Security system excluded state and local government employees from coverage. In 1954, state and local employees were given the opportunity to elect to participate in the Social Security program. California public school educators chose not to join because they were paying for better disability and survivor benefits than what would have been provided by Social Security.
However, many CalSTRS members and other government workers are eligible for Social Security benefits because they had other employment that was covered by Social Security or by being married to a Social Security recipient.
When I moved to California to teach at age 40, I already qualified for SS due to several other managerial jobs. I qualify for $1200 month in social security of which I get $277. The money I loose when certainly make life more comfortable. I could afford regular dental and eye care. I could eat out more than once a month. By Pat
ReplyDeleteI retired from public education three years ago after working for 26 years. In addition to working, I took care of my husband for close to twenty years due to the effects of diabetes. When he was in his last days, he told me to go to the Social Security office to change his benefits to be mine. I was shocked to learn that I could not receive his benefit due to WEP/GPO. I do believe that many are unaware until claiming the funds. He would be very saddened to learn that I do not receive what he worked so hard to provide. I implore legislators to remove this unfair act for all those affected by this.
ReplyDelete