https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/government-pensioners-look-to-elbow-into-social-security-talks/ar-AA18bCuW?cvid=d63b70a2287e46b688cc00d175a06d90

Summary:
" For about 2 million people, the windfall elimination provision applies a less generous formula for Social Security benefits to retirees with income from employment that didn't pay into the Social Security system, including state and local government jobs, employers in foreign countries as well as federal agencies prior to 1984."

"For about 735,000 people, the government pension offset cuts spousal, widow or widower benefits for those with their own pensions from work not covered by Social Security. That Carter-era change was intended to limit benefits for those who aren't financially dependent on their spouse given their own employment."

"Both provisions were aimed at reducing unfairly high payouts from Social Security. But many lawmakers, public workers and retiree groups now say the decades-old changes went too far and punish teachers, police officers, firefighters, government workers and others who've prioritized public service."

///
Takeaway: they and their employers could have paid into social security but didn't.

My mom was a teacher but also worked a job that paid into SS. My dad is dead so my mom gets SS pay from his credits (was a higher amount than using her own credits) but gets a reduced amount because she also gets TRS. My aunt, who never worked a job that paid into SS gets a bigger check from her husband's credits than my mom does. My dad always made more than my uncle. It's an odd system.

Fortunately, neither of them relies on the SS money as they were wise with money.

How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

It's all going to come crashing down so no worries

What I want is that my Social Security benefits that I earned when I participated in it not be penalized when I start withdrawing money from my Optional Retirement Plan that I was part of when I worked for a job not under SS.

Quote:

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Takeaway: they and their employers could have paid into social security but didn't.

---

If teachers were working at a district that did not pay into SS, then teachers did not have the option. They paid in only to TRS.

When I started teaching in public schools 35 years ago, there were some districts in which teachers paid into both TRS and SS. Mine was not one of them.

47% of baby boomers have retired. Just wait until the next 53% retire.

I worked a job that paid into both SS and a defined pension. I recall seeing a story back in the 90s/early 2000s about a public employee in Texas boasting about his retirement fund being so much better than SS because of aggressive investment strategies. I suspect many of these public employees are in the same boat.

If teachers want SS, surrender everything they have in TRS and get SS.

That's why they were allowed to not have their money confiscated by the government for SS.

eric76 said:

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How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

---

2.3% * # years worked * Avg(Top 5 years salary).

OldArmy71 said:

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Quote:

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Takeaway: they and their employers could have paid into social security but didn't.

---

If teachers were working at a district that did not pay into SS, then teachers did not have the option. They paid in only to TRS.

When I started teaching in public schools 35 years ago, there were some districts in which teachers paid into both TRS and SS. Mine was not one of them.

---

I know some teachers who retired right around 50. I am not sympathetic to their plight whatsoever.

Science Denier said:

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If teachers want SS, surrender everything they have in TRS and get SS.

That's why they were allowed to not have their money confiscated by the government for SS.

---

I'm staff at TAMU-CC.

I pay into TRS AND SS. Sucks...Better not give me a deduction due to the TRS thing.

You don't pay in, you don't draw out.

Seems like a pretty simple concept. Yet the government has managed to eff it up so far, and will probably do more damage as the "it's not fair!!!!!" generations take control.

schmellba99 said:

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You don't pay in, you don't draw out.

Seems like a pretty simple concept. Yet the government has managed to eff it up so far, and will probably do more damage as the "it's not fair!!!!!" generations take control.

---

Yep. More will be stolen from those of us who don't have an employer retirement plan and who work 12 months a year.

I remember the specific 50 year olds (might have been 55) retiring and then bragging about getting a condo in Ruidoso or somewhere. I have no doubt they are currently *****ing about not getting COLA adjustments now that they've been retired 15 or 20 years.

Ag with kids said:

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eric76 said:

---

How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

---

2.3% * # years worked * Avg(Top 5 years salary).

---

My wife's not quite 50 yo boss at an ISD is about 2 years from 30 years at the ISD with TRS.
The boss told my wife that they will make 100% of their salary after retirement. (over $100k)
The boss started at the right time, so that helps.
The plan has been less generous over the years with different tiers ... if I understand it correctly.

Ellis Wyatt said:

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OldArmy71 said:

---

Quote:

---

Takeaway: they and their employers could have paid into social security but didn't.

---

If teachers were working at a district that did not pay into SS, then teachers did not have the option. They paid in only to TRS.

When I started teaching in public schools 35 years ago, there were some districts in which teachers paid into both TRS and SS. Mine was not one of them.

---

I know some teachers who retired right around 50. I am not sympathetic to their plight whatsoever.

---

Any teacher who retired at 50 either also had somewhat other significant income, continued to work as a 1099 employee, no longer had a mortgage payment, or was getting by with only the bare essentials. With the way the calculate the TRS, at best they may have $40k in retirement before taxes. Any teacher retired on solely their TRS may barely be qualified as middle income level.

My grandma took a job with the state (of WA) doing vehicle titles and registration. At her age she only had to work about 12 years to qualify for the retirement. On top of that she got my grandpa's SS (he died young) and his full Air Force retirement. She also bought houses and rented them out on the side.

She was very private about her finances. When she died in 2004, according to my dad, she had $1.2M in the bank, and that was after 4-5 years in assisted living.

UTExan said:

---

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/government-pensioners-look-to-elbow-into-social-security-talks/ar-AA18bCuW?cvid=d63b70a2287e46b688cc00d175a06d90

Summary:
" For about 2 million people, the windfall elimination provision applies a less generous formula for Social Security benefits to retirees with income from employment that didn't pay into the Social Security system, including state and local government jobs, employers in foreign countries as well as federal agencies prior to 1984."

"For about 735,000 people, the government pension offset cuts spousal, widow or widower benefits for those with their own pensions from work not covered by Social Security. That Carter-era change was intended to limit benefits for those who aren't financially dependent on their spouse given their own employment."

"Both provisions were aimed at reducing unfairly high payouts from Social Security. But many lawmakers, public workers and retiree groups now say the decades-old changes went too far and punish teachers, police officers, firefighters, government workers and others who've prioritized public service."

///
Takeaway: they and their employers could have paid into social security but didn't.

---

Why shouldn't they at least get 1/2 their spouses SS like every other person in country? If a wife doesn't work or if she is married to man who is independently wealthy, she still gets 1/2 his SS even if she never paid a dime. Shouldn't the same rule apply to to people who worked for the state, federal, or local government?

BluHorseShu said:

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Ellis Wyatt said:

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OldArmy71 said:

---

Quote:

---

Takeaway: they and their employers could have paid into social security but didn't.

---

If teachers were working at a district that did not pay into SS, then teachers did not have the option. They paid in only to TRS.

When I started teaching in public schools 35 years ago, there were some districts in which teachers paid into both TRS and SS. Mine was not one of them.

---

I know some teachers who retired right around 50. I am not sympathetic to their plight whatsoever.

---

Any teacher who retired at 50 either also had somewhat other significant income, continued to work as a 1099 employee, no longer had a mortgage payment, or was getting by with only the bare essentials. With the way the calculate the TRS, at best they may have $40k in retirement before taxes. Any teacher retired on solely their TRS may barely be qualified as middle income level.

---

My MIL retired on it at 53 and father in law around 58. They are both nearly 80 now. I don't know how much they get but it doesn't seem like much as live very spartan.

LoudestWHOOP! said:

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Ag with kids said:

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eric76 said:

---

How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

---

2.3% * # years worked * Avg(Top 5 years salary).

---

My wife's not quite 50 yo boss at an ISD is about 2 years from 30 years at the ISD with TRS.
The boss told my wife that they will make 100% of their salary after retirement. (over $100k)
The boss started at the right time, so that helps.
The plan has been less generous over the years with different tiers ... if I understand it correctly.

---

Well, my GF has 25 years and that's how hers is currently figured...I read the TRS quarterly notices for both of us...

Ag with kids said:

---

LoudestWHOOP! said:

---

Ag with kids said:

---

eric76 said:

---

How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

---

2.3% * # years worked * Avg(Top 5 years salary).

---

My wife's not quite 50 yo boss at an ISD is about 2 years from 30 years at the ISD with TRS.
The boss told my wife that they will make 100% of their salary after retirement. (over $100k)
The boss started at the right time, so that helps.
The plan has been less generous over the years with different tiers ... if I understand it correctly.

---

Well, my GF has 25 years and that's how hers is currently figured...I read the TRS quarterly notices for both of us...

---

Your numbers look correct.
But my wife knows a few that had 30+ years a few years ago that retired at 100%.
* This is what they say, I never heard if that is what they really got.
The old plan (tier?) used to pay much better for long term service never expecting the recent jumps in salaries at administration.
My wife has 15 yrs now and plans to get to at least 20 yrs, which will put her around $3k/month in retirement.
The $3k/mo is the same amount SS promises me after 37 years so far making twice what she makes.
But I pretty much expect all of it to be a lie or stolen from us.

Wife is (was) a teacher and now is an administrator.

Prior to going into teaching, she worked in the private sector for 15 or so years and paid into SS. I think she has met the minimum standard to receive SS, but if she spends enough time in education she may not be eligible (I haven't looked at the rules in a while, no need until closer to retirement).

I'll be pissed if the money she was forced to pay into SS cannot be withdrawn. That is HER money, not the feds. I DGAF if she ended up working for an entity that provides a different retirement mechanism, the fact of the matter is that she paid into SS against her will and is owed that money. Same goes for any profession - if you paid into the system (under threat of law), that is your money and you should be able to get it back no matter what.

schmellba99 said:

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Wife is (was) a teacher and now is an administrator.

Prior to going into teaching, she worked in the private sector for 15 or so years and paid into SS. I think she has met the minimum standard to receive SS, but if she spends enough time in education she may not be eligible (I haven't looked at the rules in a while, no need until closer to retirement).

I'll be pissed if the money she was forced to pay into SS cannot be withdrawn. That is HER money, not the feds. I DGAF if she ended up working for an entity that provides a different retirement mechanism, the fact of the matter is that she paid into SS against her will and is owed that money. Same goes for any profession - if you paid into the system (under threat of law), that is your money and you should be able to get it back no matter what.

---

Check your wife's SS online info.
I thought I read that my wife had met a 40 periods (quarter?) minimum to receive SS also. (See below)

Any real-world verification work be great!
She worked about 11-12 years in the private sector prior to ISD work.

eric76 said:

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How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

---

Both of my parents retired under TRS, and I think both would say they are glad they did versus Social Security.

safelightKL said:

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UTExan said:

---

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/government-pensioners-look-to-elbow-into-social-security-talks/ar-AA18bCuW?cvid=d63b70a2287e46b688cc00d175a06d90

Summary:
" For about 2 million people, the windfall elimination provision applies a less generous formula for Social Security benefits to retirees with income from employment that didn't pay into the Social Security system, including state and local government jobs, employers in foreign countries as well as federal agencies prior to 1984."

"For about 735,000 people, the government pension offset cuts spousal, widow or widower benefits for those with their own pensions from work not covered by Social Security. That Carter-era change was intended to limit benefits for those who aren't financially dependent on their spouse given their own employment."

"Both provisions were aimed at reducing unfairly high payouts from Social Security. But many lawmakers, public workers and retiree groups now say the decades-old changes went too far and punish teachers, police officers, firefighters, government workers and others who've prioritized public service."

///
Takeaway: they and their employers could have paid into social security but didn't.

---

Why shouldn't they at least get 1/2 their spouses SS like every other person in country? If a wife doesn't work or if she is married to man who is independently wealthy, she still gets 1/2 his SS even if she never paid a dime. Shouldn't the same rule apply to to people who worked for the state, federal, or local government?

---

Because the spouse paid in while they/their employer did not?

Quote:

---

Any teacher who retired at 50 either also had somewhat other significant income, continued to work as a 1099 employee, no longer had a mortgage payment, or was getting by with only the bare essentials. With the way the calculate the TRS, at best they may have $40k in retirement before taxes. Any teacher retired on solely their TRS may barely be qualified as middle income level.

---

The husband retired as a principal and the wife retired as a teacher (or maybe one of the many created non-teacher admin positions these days), so it is two TRS retirements. They probably did pay off their home before retirement.

Good for them on that score, but I really don't give a **** what they make. Everyone thought they retired too young, but that is a choice they made and they should have to live with without outside help.

Go to ssa.gov and get a record of her earnings. She needs 30 years of ss wages
In 2023, she would need to make 6560 for the year
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/QC.html#:~:text=The%20amount%20of%20earnings%20required,%22credit%22)%20used%20elsewhere.

Edit:

(I see other brilliant minds were also working on your problem)

LoudestWHOOP! said:

---

Ag with kids said:

---

LoudestWHOOP! said:

---

Ag with kids said:

---

eric76 said:

---

How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

---

2.3% * # years worked * Avg(Top 5 years salary).

---

My wife's not quite 50 yo boss at an ISD is about 2 years from 30 years at the ISD with TRS.
The boss told my wife that they will make 100% of their salary after retirement. (over $100k)
The boss started at the right time, so that helps.
The plan has been less generous over the years with different tiers ... if I understand it correctly.

---

Well, my GF has 25 years and that's how hers is currently figured...I read the TRS quarterly notices for both of us...

---

Your numbers look correct.
But my wife knows a few that had 30+ years a few years ago that retired at 100%.
* This is what they say, I never heard if that is what they really got.
The old plan (tier?) used to pay much better for long term service never expecting the recent jumps in salaries at administration.
My wife has 15 yrs now and plans to get to at least 20 yrs, which will put her around $3k/month in retirement.
The $3k/mo is the same amount SS promises me after 37 years so far making twice what she makes.
But I pretty much expect all of it to be a lie or stolen from us.

---

As a retired teacher, I can say that it takes 43 years to get 100% of your 5 year best average. An administrator at an extremely high paying district might get 100 K after 35 years...providing their 5 year avg was 125 K (35 years will get you 80% of your 5 year average)...

UTExan said:

---

safelightKL said:

---

UTExan said:

---

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/government-pensioners-look-to-elbow-into-social-security-talks/ar-AA18bCuW?cvid=d63b70a2287e46b688cc00d175a06d90

Summary:
" For about 2 million people, the windfall elimination provision applies a less generous formula for Social Security benefits to retirees with income from employment that didn't pay into the Social Security system, including state and local government jobs, employers in foreign countries as well as federal agencies prior to 1984."

"For about 735,000 people, the government pension offset cuts spousal, widow or widower benefits for those with their own pensions from work not covered by Social Security. That Carter-era change was intended to limit benefits for those who aren't financially dependent on their spouse given their own employment."

"Both provisions were aimed at reducing unfairly high payouts from Social Security. But many lawmakers, public workers and retiree groups now say the decades-old changes went too far and punish teachers, police officers, firefighters, government workers and others who've prioritized public service."

///
Takeaway: they and their employers could have paid into social security but didn't.

---

Why shouldn't they at least get 1/2 their spouses SS like every other person in country? If a wife doesn't work or if she is married to man who is independently wealthy, she still gets 1/2 his SS even if she never paid a dime. Shouldn't the same rule apply to to people who worked for the state, federal, or local government?

---

Because the spouse paid in while they/their employer did not?

---

So as long as you don't work you get a benefit but if you work you don't get it? Spousal benefits should go to spouses. Right now, they do if you are a spouse who is a felon and can't get a job or if you are lazy or if you work in a job that isn't a local or state job. But, if you work for the wrong employer - you choose to teach - you don't get it. That just seems a bit off.

https://smartasset.com/retirement/it-just-got-harder-to-earn-the-40-credits-necessary-to-receive-social-security
What I found about the 40 credits to receive SS

Bighunter43 said:

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LoudestWHOOP! said:

---

Ag with kids said:

---

LoudestWHOOP! said:

---

Ag with kids said:

---

eric76 said:

---

How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

---

2.3% * # years worked * Avg(Top 5 years salary).

---

My wife's not quite 50 yo boss at an ISD is about 2 years from 30 years at the ISD with TRS.
The boss told my wife that they will make 100% of their salary after retirement. (over $100k)
The boss started at the right time, so that helps.
The plan has been less generous over the years with different tiers ... if I understand it correctly.

---

Well, my GF has 25 years and that's how hers is currently figured...I read the TRS quarterly notices for both of us...

---

Your numbers look correct.
But my wife knows a few that had 30+ years a few years ago that retired at 100%.
* This is what they say, I never heard if that is what they really got.
The old plan (tier?) used to pay much better for long term service never expecting the recent jumps in salaries at administration.
My wife has 15 yrs now and plans to get to at least 20 yrs, which will put her around $3k/month in retirement.
The $3k/mo is the same amount SS promises me after 37 years so far making twice what she makes.
But I pretty much expect all of it to be a lie or stolen from us.

---

As a retired teacher, I can say that it takes 43 years to get 100% of your 5 year best average. An administrator at an extremely high paying district might get 100 K after 35 years...providing their 5 year avg was 125 K (35 years will get you 80% of your 5 year average)...

---

These were all "Director" level positions which my wife is not.

Currently in public service. I don't pay into SS right now. However, I have had jobs that did prior to public service. That money is gone. I work side jobs that pay into SS and will continue to until I retire. I won't see any of that money either. I don't necessarily want the SS benefit because I will have a pension, but if I could just get what I paid in back, that would be great.

Science Denier said:

---

If teachers want SS, surrender everything they have in TRS and get SS.

That's why they were allowed to not have their money confiscated by the government for SS.

---

What if they get a job after retiring as a teacher, and pay their quarters? Do they collect, does the government steal what they put in, or should they be able to forgo paying into SS in that second job?

LoudestWHOOP! said:

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Ag with kids said:

---

LoudestWHOOP! said:

---

Ag with kids said:

---

eric76 said:

---

How does Texas teachers retirement pay in comparison to Social Security? My impression is that it is pretty generous, but I may be wrong.

---

2.3% * # years worked * Avg(Top 5 years salary).

---

My wife's not quite 50 yo boss at an ISD is about 2 years from 30 years at the ISD with TRS.
The boss told my wife that they will make 100% of their salary after retirement. (over $100k)
The boss started at the right time, so that helps.
The plan has been less generous over the years with different tiers ... if I understand it correctly.

---

Well, my GF has 25 years and that's how hers is currently figured...I read the TRS quarterly notices for both of us...

---

Your numbers look correct.
But my wife knows a few that had 30+ years a few years ago that retired at 100%.
* This is what they say, I never heard if that is what they really got.
The old plan (tier?) used to pay much better for long term service never expecting the recent jumps in salaries at administration.
My wife has 15 yrs now and plans to get to at least 20 yrs, which will put her around $3k/month in retirement.
The $3k/mo is the same amount SS promises me after 37 years so far making twice what she makes.
But I pretty much expect all of it to be a lie or stolen from us.

---

Yeah, that's not possible. Even at 39 years their retirement would be just under 90%.

Ag with kids said:

---

Science Denier said:

---

If teachers want SS, surrender everything they have in TRS and get SS.

That's why they were allowed to not have their money confiscated by the government for SS.

---

I'm staff at TAMU-CC.

I pay into TRS AND SS. Sucks...Better not give me a deduction due to the TRS thing.

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If you pay into SS, you will get SS. Same as everyone.