If you expect a Social Security benefit - through other employment or a spouse - two Social Security provisions may apply to you. Either provision could leave you with less in Social Security than you expect, or no Social Security benefit at all.

Examples:

• A CalSTRS member retired at age 65 with a CalSTRS pension. The member expected $529 from Social Security, based on earlier estimates. After applying for Social Security, the member received only $321 a month because of the Windfall Elimination Provision.
• A CalSTRS member retired at age 62 with a pension of $1,500 a month. The member's spouse was receiving $1,000 a month from Social Security. When the spouse died, the survivor received no Social Security benefit because of the Government Pension Offset.

To find out more information, click on one of the links below:

• Social Security History as it Relates to California Educators
• How a CalSTRS Benefit Can Affect a Social Security Benefit
• Mandatory Social Security
• Related Links

Teachers' Retirement Board Chair Dana Dillon's written testimony was presented to the Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy of the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate on November 6, 2007.

• View the testimony