Do Texas teachers get Social Security?
Most Texas teachers don't earn Social Security from teaching. TRS reports that in fiscal year 2018, 96% of public school TRS members (and 78% of all TRS members) did not take part in Social Security. Your TRS pension is not reduced by any Social Security you get from other work or a spouse.
- The WEP could shrink your own Social Security benefit from other work.
- The GPO could cut or wipe out a spousal or survivor benefit.
- The Social Security Fairness Act ends both reductions (Ready to Retire, slide 50).
- Your TRS pension itself was never reduced by Social Security, and still isn't (Handbook p. 49).
Check with SSAOur sources from TRS don't give the repeal's effective dates or how SSA recalculates past benefits. The Social Security Administration handles that: 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov.
What TRS says
- In fiscal year 2018, 78 percent of TRS members did not participate in Social Security, including 96 percent of public school TRS members. For many TRS members, the TRS benefit is the only source of lifetime income in retirement.TRS Pension Benefit Design Study (Dec. 2018), p. 4, Executive Summary, finding 1
- TRS is a qualified replacement plan for Social Security. TRS estimated in 2018 that this saves Texas public school employers about $1.65 billion a year.TRS Pension Benefit Design Study (Dec. 2018), p. 4, Executive Summary, finding 1
- Your TRS pension benefits are not affected by any payments you are entitled to from Social Security.TRS Benefits Handbook (Sept. 2025), p. 49, Social Security; Ready to Retire (FY27), slide 50
- The Social Security Fairness Act ends the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for some retirees who get a pension from an employer that did not pay into Social Security.Ready to Retire (FY27), slide 50, Social Security & Teacher Retirement System
- TRS can't answer Social Security questions. For possible offsets or reductions, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov.TRS Benefits Handbook (Sept. 2025), p. 49, Social Security; Ready to Retire (FY27), slide 50
- If you authorize it, TRS can verify your first eligibility date for retirement and the amount of benefit paid on your behalf. Ask TRS for the TRS Benefit Information form (TRS 562).TRS Benefits Handbook (Sept. 2025), p. 49, Social Security
Medicare and TRS-Care
Even without Social Security from teaching, Medicare matters if you're on TRS-Care. Once you are eligible for Medicare, TRS moves you to TRS-Care Medicare Advantage, and it has rules about Medicare Parts A and B:
- All TRS-Care participants who are eligible for Medicare must buy and keep Medicare Part B to keep TRS-Care coverage. If you can get premium-free Part A, you must enroll in it; if you can't, TRS doesn't require it. Medicare enrollment is automatic if you already get Social Security benefits.Ready to Retire (FY27), slide 37, What to do at Age 65?
- Send TRS your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). TRS can't enroll you in TRS-Care without it, and once you're eligible and TRS verifies your Medicare coverage, it enrolls you in TRS-Care Medicare Advantage.Ready to Retire (FY27), slide 37, What to do at Age 65?
What to ask SSA
- Whether any of your jobs paid into Social Security, and how many credits you have. Your Social Security statement shows this.
- What you can get on a spouse's or former spouse's record, now that the GPO no longer applies.
- When to apply for Medicare, especially if you won't get Social Security benefits automatically.
Your TRS pension is a separate check. To see what it might be, use the calculator; for how it's taxed, see taxes on your TRS pension; and for when it can start, see when to retire.
Questions
Do Texas teachers get Social Security?
Most don't earn it from teaching. In fiscal year 2018, 96% of public school TRS members did not participate in Social Security, according to TRS. You may still get Social Security from other jobs or through a spouse.
Does Social Security reduce my TRS pension?
No. The TRS Benefits Handbook says your TRS pension isn't affected by any Social Security payments you're entitled to.
Were the WEP and GPO repealed?
Yes. TRS's retirement presentation says the Social Security Fairness Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. For dates and how it applies to you, check with the Social Security Administration.
Can TRS help with my Social Security questions?
TRS can't answer them, but with your permission it can verify your first retirement eligibility date and your benefit amount on the TRS Benefit Information form (TRS 562). For everything else, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
Source: TRS Benefits Handbook, September 2025, p. 49. TRS K-12 Ready to Retire presentation (FY27), slides 37 and 50. TRS Pension Benefit Design Study (Dec. 2018), p. 4. Last reviewed .