The Windfall Elimination Provision affects how the amount of your retirement . . .?

Question

or disability benefit is calculated if you receive a pension from work where Social Security taxes were not taken out of your pay. A modified formula is used to calculate your benefit amount, resulting in a lower Social Security benefit than you otherwise would receive. (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10045.html)
How is a teacher's retirement considered a windfall when the State takes 1/3 of your wages while you are working and then gives you back that 1/3 as your retirement. Especially when you start teaching late in life, is it fair to reduce your social security benefits 60% even though you paid into social security over 20 years, and even though you still pay into social security when you have to work at Wal-Mart to pay your bills after you retire from teaching???? What kind of a "windfall" is that???? IF YOU ARE THINKING OF SERVING YOUR FELLOW MAN AS A TEACHER, be advised that there will be no reward, sympathy, or respect for doing so once you turn 50! Wal-Mart Greeter.

Answer 1

I think there are only about 15 states that do this. Texas is leading the fight to change this.
It has been challenged by various teacher associations and unions for a long time. I think it was enacted about 1986 when military members and secret service retires were drawing as many as 3 retirements. If they served the time why can't they get the full retirement??

Answer 2

I just retired this year, and even though I am supposed to get 580 dollars from Social Security monthly, I will receive 230 dollars a month from them instead because I worked for a school district for fifteen years. That seems to be a very big cut when you consider that I did pay in the full number of quarters and the Social Security Administration tells me I should get 580 dollars a month. It is a plot to keep teachers in poverty. It really doesn't seem right when you consider that if you work for GM, for example, that you will get a pension plus regular Social Security.

Answer 3

WEP is blatantly unfair. IF the public had their SS reduced because they had two jobs, there would be a march on washington!
*There is a bill in Congress (committee) that needs to come to a vote.Those affected need to write, call, and protest this unjust law and demand the bill be brought to a vote. It's our money, but we need to push. How is it justified to TAKE money you did pay into the SS system and give you LESS?? I put the money in and the small pension I get from the govt puts me at the poverty level. I will need my SS. Let's act !!