Ever since we retired, if we qualified for social security because we worked and paid into the system for a minimum of 40 quarters, we have been cheated out of about 2/3 of what we should have received because we have a separate pension. It apparently did not matter that we paid into it, someone in the past thought that we should be penalized. Not just game wardens, but teachers, police officers, firefighters and others.

Several times over the past 20+ years, there have been efforts to eliminate these limitations to our access to the full payout that we deserve from what we had paid into Social Security.

It finally passed the House in November and the Senate in December and is on it’s way to the president’s desk for signature.

Social Security Fairness Act of 2023

This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government.

The bill eliminates the government pension offset, which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own.

The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision, which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes.

These changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2023.

What happens next???

If it is signed by the President, then by about February or March or so of next year you will receive information about the recalculated amount that you should receive on a monthly bases and  a check or possibly a direct deposit to cover the difference between what you should have received and what you did receive in 2024 because this is retroactive to January 1, 2024.

On or at about the same time, you should start receiving a larger check each month based upon the recalculated amount. Also, if your spouse worked more under social security than you did, your benefit should be based upon your spouses social security income, not yours.

I will be sending out more info as we learn more.

Jack Edwards

P.S. You may have already received notification from PORAC or just on the news such as this news story.

The post Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 appeared first on California Game Warden.

I know, you figured that when you made it to 62 or 65 or 67 that you would do something about Social Security, but you also knew that the longer you waited the higher the monthly benefit. Not so with Medicare. Because medical benefits are categorized as Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D, you need to know that your CalPers coverage changes because part of your benefit is now covered under Medicare.

So, Don’t forget to file for Medicare..

I checked in with a couple of wardens who have already reached that point in their life and here is their input. Thanks Greg Johnston and John Ewald.

Input from Greg:

Here is how Medicare and Social Security work for Safety employees that retire.

Under CalPers at age 65 a retiree must apply for Medicare. The retiree will be billed $95 a month in advance by Medicare. Cal Pers reimburses the retiree the $95 with his monthly warrant. Net cost is zero. However, if the retiree does not apply for Medicare on or before their 65th birthday, CalPers can cancel medical benefits. After the retiree has Medicare, Cal Pers provides supplemental health insurance. Medicare is hard pressed to cover 25% of any covered expense. Cal Pers supplemental covers what Medicare does not cover. Medicare has Part A , Part B, and Part D. Part A & B are the only parts to sign up for. Part D is for drugs. Cal Pers has much better coverage for drugs than Medicare.

If the retiree has worked enough social security quarters they can apply for social security benefits. The age for doing this is depends on how old the retiree is. I think 63.5 is the minimum age.

Update from John:

The fee is now $99 mo (but, since you get reimbursed, I suppose it doesn’t really matter)

Regarding the last paragraph, one can apply for and collect the eligible SS money, anytime after age 62, or between 62 and 66. The monthly benefit amount increases with each year you wait, but that amount is only a few dollars per -month – not significant. Generally everyone says its preferable to start getting the money at 62, rather than wait, because in a way, it’s sort of a gamble, that one will even reach age 67. Might as well have the money in your pocket, rather than theirs.

The quarterly statements that SS mails you show the monthly benefit amount, you are eligible for….but…since we also receive a government pension from PERS, we are only able to collect 1/3 of what that amount is. (for example, if the statement shows your eligible montly SS benefit amount is $900, when you do decide to apply and receive it, you will only receive $300 mo. But it’s still probably better to apply and start receiving it at age 62. That isn’t going to make a difference.

And when you begin receiving this SS benefit, by the way, will not effect your Medicare eligibility, early or otherwise, that age is still 65. Apply for it a few months early, I’m told it takes a couple months for them to process your application!

The post I Am Almost 65, What do I do About Medicare? appeared first on California Game Warden.