Social Security Fairness Act impact of WEP and GPO repeal on certain Fed retirees

[WRGA Dog]

If you are a retired Fed under CSRS and also eligible for social security payment, you can now file for spousal benefits (assuming her SS payments are larger) based upon her earnings and are eligible for 6 months back pay. I completed the process last week, and my monthly SS payment increased dramatically as a result.  You will now also be eligible to receive survivor benefits under SS should your wife predecease you.  Essentially, the repeal of the WEP and the GPO assures retired federal, state, and local government employees are now treated the same as private sector employees by the SSA.

[dncdawg]

If you are a retired Fed under CSRS and also eligible for social security payment, you can now file for spousal benefits (assuming her SS payments are larger) based upon her earnings and are eligible for 6 months back pay. I completed the process last week, and my monthly SS payment increased dramatically as a result.  You will now also be eligible to receive survivor benefits under SS should your wife predecease you.  Essentially, the repeal of the WEP and the GPO assures retired federal, state, and local government employees are now treated the same as private sector employees by the SSA.

My wife was all about this and lobbied heavily.  She's been a state employee her whole career and wouldn't get survivor benefits if I pass before her.  Seemed like a dumb rule that they thought they could sneak in to save SSA a bunch of money that isn't theirs to begin with.

[WRGA Dog]

If you are a retired Fed under CSRS and also eligible for social security payment, you can now file for spousal benefits (assuming her SS payments are larger) based upon her earnings and are eligible for 6 months back pay. I completed the process last week, and my monthly SS payment increased dramatically as a result.  You will now also be eligible to receive survivor benefits under SS should your wife predecease you.  Essentially, the repeal of the WEP and the GPO assures retired federal, state, and local government employees are now treated the same as private sector employees by the SSA.

My wife was all about this and lobbied heavily.  She's been a state employee her whole career and wouldn't get survivor benefits if I pass before her.  Seemed like a dumb rule that they thought they could sneak in to save SSA a bunch of money that isn't theirs to begin with.

Yes, the WEP and GPO were passed in 1983 as part of the Social Security Reform Act.

[JC-DAWG83]

Do govt workers pay into social security the same as private workers?

[gulfportdawg]

If you are a retired Fed under CSRS and also eligible for social security payment, you can now file for spousal benefits (assuming her SS payments are larger) based upon her earnings and are eligible for 6 months back pay. I completed the process last week, and my monthly SS payment increased dramatically as a result.  You will now also be eligible to receive survivor benefits under SS should your wife predecease you.  Essentially, the repeal of the WEP and the GPO assures retired federal, state, and local government employees are now treated the same as private sector employees by the SSA.

CSRS Employees didn't pay into SSA. Or, at least that's what I was told years ago. I was a FERS Federal Employees and did pay into SSA. I admit that I don't know what you're talking about.

[dncdawg]

Do govt workers pay into social security the same as private workers?

At least state employees of the state of Georgia do not.  I don't know how it all works, but some school systems can elect to participate or not.  The old rule was that if you hadn't paid adequately into SS, you weren't vested and therefore couldn't get survivor benefits if your spouse vested in SS.  With this rule change, it doesn't matter if you paid enough SS or not.

[WRGA Dog]

Do govt workers pay into social security the same as private workers?

Under the CSRS no, under FERS yes

[JC-DAWG83]

Do govt workers pay into social security the same as private workers?

Under the CSRS no, under FERS yes

IMO; CSRS employees should not get social security benefits but FERS should.

[WRGA Dog]

Do govt workers pay into social security the same as private workers?

Under the CSRS no, under FERS yes

IMO; CSRS employees should not get social security benefits but FERS should.

Disagree.  To draw SS as a CSRS employee, you must pay into SS for the required minimum period of time (40 Quarters). I paid into SS for 10 years prior to joining Civil Service.  So, why should I be denied the full benefit simply because I worked for and retired from the federal government?  Generally, the same applies to state and local government retirees.  The CSRS was replaced by FERS in ~1983, and all Feds hired since then pay into SS.  Essentially, the Social Security Fairness Act does is ensure federal, state, and local government retirees are treated fairly with respect to SS benefits.

[JC-DAWG83]

Do govt workers pay into social security the same as private workers?

Under the CSRS no, under FERS yes

IMO; CSRS employees should not get social security benefits but FERS should.

Disagree.  To draw SS as a CSRS employee, you must pay into SS for the required minimum period of time (40 Quarters). I paid into SS for 10 years prior to joining Civil Service.  So, why should I be denied the full benefit simply because I worked for and retired from the federal government?  Generally, the same applies to state and local government retirees.  The CSRS was replaced by FERS in ~1983, and all Feds hired since then pay into SS.  Essentially, the Social Security Fairness Act does is ensure federal, state, and local government retirees are treated fairly with respect to SS benefits.

I'm thinking of retirees who never worked a job where they paid into SS.  My wife worked in a school system that did not collect SS because teachers have their own retirement system.  School systems and state govts can opt out of SS because they have comparable retirement plans.  No teachers or school system employees in California pay into SS.   

I absolutely think anyone who paid into SS should get some benefits.  My mother worked as a teacher for one year in 1960-61 and for one other year around 1974 and she gets a small SS check every month.  I think it is around $100 each month.