Social Security & Public Employees

Massachusetts is s “non-Social Security” state. This means that public employees in Massachusetts are members of a contributory retirement system and do not pay into Social Security. Massachusetts public employees do not earn any Social Security “credits” or “quarters” in their jobs as public employees.  You may have earned Social Security credits through other employment. If you are eligible for Social Security benefits, you may be subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.

The GPO reduces the spousal or survivor benefits of public employees by an amount equal to two-thirds of their public pensions. The WEP affects people who have worked in jobs in which they have earned Social Security as well as jobs in which they have not.  Both hit educators and other public employees especially hard during their retirement years

The Social Security Fairness Act of 2011 would repeal the GPO and the WEP. This bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The measure, House Bill 1332, would eliminate both the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision.

To receive updates on the offset repeal effort, please send your name, complete address, MTA ID number, current or former local association affiliation information and home e-mail address to Jo Ann Fitzgerald, MTA retired members service specialist at jfitzgerald@massteacher.org

Other Resources

HB1332
http://thomas.gov

Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System
http://www.mass.gov/mtrs/2members/22retiree/22ssa.htm

Windfall Elimination Provision Fact Sheet
http://ssa.gov/pubs/10045.html

Government Pension Offset Fact Sheet
http://ssa.gov/pubs/10007.html

Social Security Webinar
http://www.ssa.gov/webinars/social_security_benefits.html

Social Security Information for Government Employees
http://www.ssa.gov/gpo-wep/