Will Social Security Put a Dent in Your Retirement?
Did you know …
* California has almost one million employees who qualify for Social Security benefits or are married to a Social Security earner and are denied their earned retirement benefits.
* Most of these employees are educators, police and sheriff officers, and firefighters.
* California is one of 14 states where public school educators fall under this federal penalty. The law also affects many city and county employees.
* If an educator worked for 20 years in the private sector, earned Social Security credits and then entered teaching in California and taught 20 years, that educator could lose more than half of his/her earned Social Security retirement benefits.
* If a public safety officer worked for 20 years providing public safety, and then went to work in private industry, he/she would receive the same penalties as the educator.
* If a public servant’s spouse was a Social Security earner and preceded the public servant in death, the public servant would lose the earned Social Security spousal death benefit.
For Years CalRTA Has Been a Leader in This Fight
Two Federal bills, House Resolution 235 and Senate Resolution 484, the Social Security Fairness Act, would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). CalRTA is working toward their passage.
How You Can Help
Write to President Obama and add your voice to the fight to repeal these penalties. Points to include in your message are below, but, if you’re personally affected by these penalties, include your own story as well.
Address:
President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
E-mail:
www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Use the points above in your message in addition to any personal experiences you’ve had.
Information Resources
Even if you’re affected by these penalties, chances are you’re not familiar with them. Below are additional resources to help answer your questions:
CalRTA brochure explaining the Social Security penalties
Social Security Fairness Website
NEA Video explaining the penalties, called “Penalties for Public Service”
14-State Coalition Supports Repeal