Social Security Quarters

[Doheny]

I'm not a Leo but I did retire from the fire department two weeks ago after 33+ years (I worked for a '37 Act County; we can retire with 100% percent of our salary so it takes 33 years to max out with 3% @ 50).

I'm wondering about Social Security quarters. I started the FD when I was 19 so I only have a few quarters. I've heard of some guys taking odd jobs when they need a few quarters, but since I have so little it doesn't seem worth it. Plus frankly, I retired so I wouldn't have to work any longer!

What do you guys think or what did you do if you needed quarters? To me the effort doesn't seem worth it, since if I'm correct, it's a reduced benefit as it is.

[Indubitably]

I've known guys that do it for medical benefits after retirement more than the ssi. I will probably have to do the same depending on what the healthcare market looks like when I get there.

[Ron-Solo]

I didn't have very many quarters either, but anything I would have received from SS would just be deducted from my retirement anyway. I get better medical thru my retirement than Medicare would provide too.

[Che762x39]

My ex wife got 50% of my retirement but my medical, dental and vision plans are exceptional, IMHO.

Enjoy retirement and take up a great hobby. I am learning sailing and 30 years I never would have thunk it

[Hot Holster]

If you paid into your own pension system and you didn't pay into social security, you would fall under the Windfall Elimination Program (WEP) and the Offset Pension Provision (OPP).

In essence, the government years ago, decided that someone who collects a governmental pension (police, fire, educator, etc), and who did not pay into social security during the time of service, and is now eligible for social security should not collect both in full because it would make them "better" than someone who just gets social security, so your social security benefit gets reduced by about 60%. This only affects those who have enough quarters to get a social security benefit.

There are currently two bills, one in the senate and one in the house, waiting for enough co-sponsors to get the matter heard and possibly repealed. If this affects anyone, i would urge them to contact their senators and congresspersons, to ask for support and join in as a co-sponsor.

[Sailormilan2]

I paid into a County Retirement and into SS at the same time. I paid into SS for 40 years, and I now draw both.

As far as I know, I am getting standard SS payments, as well as 81% county retirement based on 26+ years of LEO work.

The only problem I have come across is that I have to pay Fed Income Tax on my SS benefits because I make too much on the county retirement. I was not expecting that last year.

[Hot Holster]

If you paid into both, you are entitled to full benefits. The WEP and OPP only affect those who paid into their pension funds and didn't pay into SS at the same time.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I'm not a Leo but I did retire from the fire department two weeks ago after 33+ years (I worked for a '37 Act County; we can retire with 100% percent of our salary so it takes 33 years to max out with 3% @ 50).

I'm wondering about Social Security quarters. I started the FD when I was 19 so I only have a few quarters. I've heard of some guys taking odd jobs when they need a few quarters, but since I have so little it doesn't seem worth it. Plus frankly, I retired so I wouldn't have to work any longer!

What do you guys think or what did you do if you needed quarters? To me the effort doesn't seem worth it, since if I'm correct, it's a reduced benefit as it is.

I will just say congratulations, thanks for your decades of service, and here is to an exceedingly long and fruitful retirement!

[Doheny]

I will just say congratulations, thanks for your decades of service, and here is to an exceedingly long and fruitful retirement!

Thanks Bobby!

[Doheny]

If you paid into both, you are entitled to full benefits. The WEP and OPP only affect those who paid into their pension funds and didn't pay into SS at the same time.

No, I only paid into my county retirement during my career, not into SS. The handful of quarters I have is from jobs during and after high school for a short period prior to getting hired.

[Spanky8601]

Go to this site to see how many quarters you have. You are required to have at least 40 quarters. The 60% reduction number for the WEP seems about right. I put in 35 years with the state. Good luck with the retirement.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

[gorn5150]

If you get to 40 quarters you will get hit with the SS windfall provision because of your retirement. It won't be worth your time to do it.

[Hot Holster]

If you get to 40 quarters you will get hit with the SS windfall provision because of your retirement. It won't be worth your time to do it.

A little something is better than nothing. When my SS benefits were computed, I was supposed to get a bit over 1k a month, after the WEP, I get $364 a month.

[TrailerparkTrash]

I too am with an agency where we do not contribute into ss. However, I had a second business and met the "40 quarter" minimum to get a lil sump'n-sump'n. I was also advised that I'll only get about 25-30% of what someone else would get that did not have a gov't retirement plan. But, I figure a $300 check each month from ss is good beer money.

[MaHoTex]

Another issue with the SS and pension is this: My wife is an educator and pays into STRS. I am in the private sector and pay into SS. If I kick the bucket before her, she does not get my SS. It is a major concern of mine.

As far as the pending bill, there has been a bill introduced every year to repeal this WEP garbage and it never goes anywhere. I would not expect it to be any different this time.