As you know, public employees do not participate in Social Security. However, many public employees may be eligible for Social Security benefits based upon earning forty (40) quarters of credit or through the work history a spouse. It is important to know that Social Security benefits are often affected by the receipt of a Cambridge retirement allowance. Although your Cambridge retirement allowance cannot be reduced as a result of other retirement benefits, Social Security benefits might be reduced.
There are two federal laws, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which may reduce and in some instances eliminate a Social Security benefit because of a retirement allowance from Cambridge. To learn more about these laws and to use Social Security's on-line calculator please go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/gpo-wep/. For information on Social Security and to apply for Social Security benefits visit their website at http://www.ssa.gov.