Social Security, GPO/WEP and how it affects many STRS retirees

From a retiree, 1/19/09

"I don't want to change the entire law. STRS can have their monopoly. 30 year - lifetime teachers do just fine with STRS. However, this is a sincere problem for those who had 15 year second career with teaching after another career where they had to pay social security. They were counting on both retirements and no one tells them about this until they do that exit interview with STRS. Frankly I don't know how 'Troops to Teachers' stays in business. They are setting folks up for a poor retirement. I also think it is awful that retired teachers who take a part time job have to pay social security that they can never get. This is just so wrong."