Do Teachers in California Get Social Security?

A common misconception exists that all workers in the United States contribute to and receive Social Security benefits based on their employment. This is not always the case for public sector employees, including many educators. Most public school teachers in California do not directly contribute to or receive Social Security benefits based on their teaching earnings. This situation stems from historical agreements that allowed states and local governments to opt out of Social Security coverage for certain public employees. This arrangement impacts how California teachers plan for their retirement income.

Social Security Coverage for California Teachers

The federal Social Security system permits states and local governments to choose whether their employees participate in the program. California, for its public school teachers, generally opted out of Social Security coverage for teaching employment. This means that teaching salaries earned by these educators are typically not subject to Social Security taxes. Because these earnings are not taxed for Social Security, they do not contribute to a teacher’s eligibility for Social Security benefits, nor do they count in the calculation of such benefits. This arrangement is often referred to as “non-covered employment” for public school teachers in California.

California Public Employee Retirement Systems

While most California public school teachers do not participate in Social Security, they are instead members of robust state-sponsored retirement systems. The primary system for public school educators, from pre-kindergarten through community college, is the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS). CalSTRS operates as a defined benefit plan, meaning a teacher’s retirement income is determined by a specific formula that considers factors such as their age, years of service credit, and final compensation. CalSTRS is designed to be the primary source of retirement income for most California public school teachers, replacing the role Social Security might play for workers in covered employment. For other public education employees, such as classified staff or administrators, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) may provide retirement benefits.

Federal Provisions Affecting Non-Covered Pensions

Historically, two federal provisions, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), significantly impacted any Social Security benefits a California teacher might have otherwise been eligible for, such as from prior covered employment or through a spouse. These provisions were designed to prevent what was perceived as an unintended advantage for individuals receiving a pension from non-covered employment while also qualifying for Social Security benefits. However, it is important to note that the Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on January 5, 2025, has since eliminated both WEP and GPO for benefits payable after December 2023.

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) previously reduced a worker’s own Social Security retirement or disability benefits if they also received a pension from employment not covered by Social Security. This applied to California teachers who had worked in jobs where they paid Social Security taxes, in addition to their non-covered teaching careers. The WEP adjusted the Social Security benefit formula, leading to a lower benefit than what would typically be calculated for someone with only covered earnings.

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) was a separate provision that reduced Social Security spousal or survivor benefits. It affected individuals who received a government pension from non-covered employment, such as CalSTRS, and were also eligible for Social Security benefits based on a spouse’s or deceased spouse’s earnings record. The GPO typically reduced the Social Security spousal or survivor benefit by two-thirds of the amount of the non-covered government pension.

With the enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act, the WEP and GPO no longer apply to benefits payable after December 2023. This means that California teachers who previously had their Social Security benefits reduced by these provisions will now receive their full, unreduced benefits.

Estimating Your Social Security Benefits

For California teachers, understanding potential Social Security benefits, especially in light of the recent legislative changes, involves accessing personalized information. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a valuable online portal called “my Social Security” account. Creating an account allows individuals to review their earnings history and view estimates of their future Social Security benefits. While previous estimates might have reflected WEP or GPO reductions, the repeal of these provisions means that future benefit statements and calculations should reflect the full amounts. For the most accurate and personalized information, contacting the Social Security Administration directly is advisable.