Social Security

The vast majority of Texas school districts do not participate in Social Security, so most school employees do not earn Social Security benefits through their school employment. Instead, they participate in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

However, many Texas educators do qualify for Social Security benefits if they:

• Worked in other jobs where they paid into Social Security (typically at least 40 quarters), or
• Are eligible for spousal or survivor benefits.

What’s Changed

Due to the Social Security Fairness Act, federal laws that previously reduced these benefits have been eliminated. TCTA joined others across the nation to successfully advocate for full elimination of WEP and GPO. 

The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law in January 2025, and adjustments to benefits were retroactive to January 2024.

Elimination of WEP and GPO

Two federal provisions that historically reduced benefits are no longer in effect:

• Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) — previously reduced Social Security benefits earned through your own work
• Government Pension Offset (GPO) — previously reduced or eliminated spousal or survivor benefits

As of January 2024 (retroactively applied), both WEP and GPO have been fully repealed.

What This Means for Texas Educators

If you worked in Social Security-covered jobs you are now entitled to your full Social Security benefit, without reduction due to your TRS pension.

If you are eligible for spousal or survivor benefits you can now receive full spousal or survivor benefits, without the previous two-thirds reduction.

Your TRS pension is unchanged. Your TRS benefits continue as normal.

Payments and Adjustments

The Social Security Administration has implemented changes:

• Adjustments began February 2025.
• Updated monthly benefits began April 2025.
• Eligible individuals received retroactive payments back to January 2024.
• Over 3.1 million Americans have already received adjusted benefits and back pay.

If you were already receiving Social Security benefits at the time the bill went into effect, you may have received: 

• A lump-sum retroactive payment.
• An increase in your monthly Social Security benefit.
• One or more mailed notices explaining the changes.

More information

Learn more about Social Security benefits for educators in our Q&A here.

Planning Considerations

This change significantly improves retirement planning flexibility:

• You can now accurately combine TRS + Social Security income
• Spousal benefit strategies are now fully available
• Mid-career transitions between private and public sectors carry no Social Security penalty (other than the loss of growth in earning Social Security benefits if moving to a district that does not participate)

Professional Guidance

For assistance:

• Contact your local Social Security office for benefit-specific questions.
• Consider consulting a financial advisor for retirement planning.

Bottom Line

Texas teachers are no longer subject to federal reductions that once penalized public service careers. The repeal of WEP and GPO ensures that educators receive the full Social Security benefits they have earned, creating a more equitable and predictable retirement landscape.