10.17.07
Should teachers with pensions also get Social Security?
I recently signed a petition for a teacher. I believe it was Social Security Fairness Act Petition. Who is keeping teachers from getting Social Security and Why? I also was told this even affects the collection of your spouses Social Security!
Diane Cordell said,
October 19, 2007 at 10:17 am
You are correct. I know, as I about to retire after 25 years of employment at a community college in Texas. When I began working at this job I was entitled to spousal benefits as well as my retirement. The law was changed shortly thereafter. I will now be retiring on approximately half of the income on which I had planned. Having been divorced after being out of the workforce for 15 years, my 403b account will barely afford me an existence. If there is any fairness in this world the Social Security Fairness Ace will be enacted. I am not counting on support from my home state but have hope that other states that are directly affected will carry it.
StanStandard said,
October 19, 2007 at 10:38 am
After talking with other people in the system, not only teachers but this also affects the help in the schools. Maybe the state will help if you and others ask your representatives in you towns to push the issue.
StanStandard said,
October 23, 2007 at 8:22 am
I’ve recently email a sample of selectman in my state to get some feedback on this issue. Guess what, it affects them too. Here is some history from the feedback that was written to me.
“In 1988 at the tie of pension reform here in the Commonwealth, the decision was made not to join ssi as employees would have had to pay both our pension and social security payments. ”
“I believe that the federal rules are wrong. For example, prior to getting elected, I had worked in the private sector for many years. I have completed the required quarters for social security. I know that many teachers also work in the private sector in the summer. That also gives them contributions to the federal system. To have those contributions offset is wrong in my opinion. I would suggest that you contact Congressman Olver’s office and ask him to help change the federal regulations on this.”
If the feeling is mutual on this issue, let’s get this important topic more attention.
My next steps are mail Congressman Olver for his point on this issue. I can’t currently find his email but did come accorss this link http://www.house.gov/olver/contact/index.html
Walter Gladwin said,
October 23, 2007 at 9:06 am
I am a recent Mass. teacher retiree with full benefits for 33 years of experience. I am now experiencing more money coming in from MTRS than if I were still teaching. And this is the big plus side of the issue. Many states see our system is a model.
Mass. teachers are also entitiled get 25% of our SS benefits when the time comes, Our reps are very aware and sympathetic of this problem and I hope they will continue to work on it. I figure that I am in a position to bail out the SS system so that people like Diane can start collecting their fair share.
Aside from that, I’m also a Republican who has watched the teacher unions support every Mickey Mouse Democrat nationally and locally since I started teaching in 1969. With Democrats now controlling much of Government, it might be a good time for payback if they want to keep teachers behind them.