Molly Janczyk: How the GPO applies to us

From Molly Janczyk, December 18, 2007
Subject: RE: GPO/WEP & how it affects public servants in Ohio

If your benefits or that of your spouse from Soc Sec. are lower than your pension, you get -0-. For ex., say a pension from STRS or OPERS, (State, Gov.) is $2000 and your earned Soc. Sec. pension is: $1000, your STRS pension is more than your Soc Sec and is offset and your gt zip!

If your State pension is $500 and your Soc. Sec. is $1000, you get the State $500 and the difference between the 2 since Soc. Sec. is the higher of the 2: So, you get your State: $500 and $500 from Soc. Sec..

THIS DOES NOT APPLY IF YOUR TEACHING JOB PAID INTO SOC SEC YOUR ENTIRE CAREER! BUT, those pension recipients get lower benefits for retirements as Soc. Sec. is added at age 62 (reduced )or 65 for full benefits. An example is Catholic Schools which give little for retirement pensions. My friend gets $1000 pension with over 30 yrs of teaching. She is working full time to make it to 65 when Soc. Sec will kick in with another approx. $1000 or so.

This pertains to me with in depth research as my husband is Soc. Sec.; I will get nothing if he dies as Soc. Sec. is less than my pension. Each person should , of course, ask but few get anything or if they do very little due to the difference only.