Social Security Benefits and LACERS Members

The Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System (LACERS) seeks to fully address all requests by our Members. However, certain issues are beyond the scope of LACERS benefit administration. For example, Social Security's Windfall Elimination Provision (SSA Publication No. 05-10045) and Government Pension Offset (SSA Publication No. 05-10007) may impact LACERS Members who expect to receive Social Security retirement benefits.

Note: LACERS does not reduce your LACERS retirement allowance based on other retirement benefits you may receive.

Social Security Benefits

Your Social Security benefits are determined by how many credits you earn when you work. To be eligible for benefits, you need a certain number of credits, depending on your age and the type of benefit for which you are applying. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for Social Security benefits (you earn a maximum of four credits each year). However, not all employees earn credits for Social Security benefits. These employees include most federal employees hired before 1984, railroad employees with more than 10 years of service, and employees of state and local governments that do not participate in Social Security.

As a LACERS Member, you may not have earned Social Security credits to qualify for a Social Security benefit (other than Medicare). As a result, some LACERS Members may not qualify to receive a Social Security benefit. Contact Social Security or visit their website and request a Proof of Income Letter to verify your benefit eligibility.

The Windfall Elimination Provision

Under the Windfall Elimination Provision, if you do qualify to receive a Social Security benefit, the Social Security Administration may reduce your Social Security benefit when you retire and receive a government pension - such as your LACERS retirement allowance - if that pension exceeds income limits set by Social Security.

Government Pension Offset

Under the Government Pension Offset, the Social Security Administration may also reduce your Social Security spouse's or widow(er)'s benefits if you receive a pension from LACERS.

Contact the Social Security Administration from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) or visit their website (www.ssa.gov) to determine if you will be eligible for a Social Security benefit and how much may be reduced as a result of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.

Rev. 11/06