Reduced Social Security Benefits Penalize Teachers and Public Employees California Progress Report:
"For many individuals, making a career change from private sector employment to teaching in California results in a lifetime penalty of reduced benefits. This penalizes individuals who want to teach, along with the spouses of these individuals. California is one of 15 states with “public service penalties,” and it has the largest number of employees impacted by these penalties, including teachers, public safety, and local government public servants. That’s why the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) co-sponsored a rally Saturday, November 7, to urge Congress to pass, and President Obama to sign, federal bills SR 484 (Feinstein) and HR 235 (Matsui), the Social Security Fairness Act."
Two Federal bills, House Resolution 235 and Senate Resolution 484, the Social Security Fairness Act, would eliminate the public servant penalties. This year, California's Legislature passed AJR 10 sponsored by the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) and Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, urging Congress to repeal these penalties.
In 1977, and then in 1983, Congress passed the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Eliminations Provision in an attempt to control the cost of Social Security. At a time when so many Americans are seeking retraining and acquiring new skills, the penalties are making it more difficult for community colleges to hire experienced vocational faculty and for K-12 schools to attract teachers.
"For many individuals, making a career change from private sector employment to teaching in California results in a lifetime penalty of reduced benefits. This penalizes individuals who want to teach, along with the spouses of these individuals. California is one of 15 states with “public service penalties,” and it has the largest number of employees impacted by these penalties, including teachers, public safety, and local government public servants. That’s why the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) co-sponsored a rally Saturday, November 7, to urge Congress to pass, and President Obama to sign, federal bills SR 484 (Feinstein) and HR 235 (Matsui), the Social Security Fairness Act."
Two Federal bills, House Resolution 235 and Senate Resolution 484, the Social Security Fairness Act, would eliminate the public servant penalties. This year, California's Legislature passed AJR 10 sponsored by the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) and Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, urging Congress to repeal these penalties.
In 1977, and then in 1983, Congress passed the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Eliminations Provision in an attempt to control the cost of Social Security. At a time when so many Americans are seeking retraining and acquiring new skills, the penalties are making it more difficult for community colleges to hire experienced vocational faculty and for K-12 schools to attract teachers.
