Do Wyoming teachers get Social Security?
Yes. Every member of the WRS Public Employee Pension Plan must also pay into Social Security, so a Wyoming teaching career earns both a WRS pension and Social Security credit. When you retire, WRS takes no Social Security or Medicare tax out of your monthly pension. Handbook p. 24, Social Security
All Public Employee Pension Plan members participate in and pay into Social Security; your WRS service is Social Security-covered employment. Monthly WRS benefits have no Social Security or Medicare withholding. Handbook p. 24, Social Security
Why your job is covered
Wyoming law lets the state sign a Social Security agreement for its public employers and names school districts as one of them. Under that law, you pay your share through payroll deduction and your district pays its share. The facts below quote the sections. That is why WRS's handbook can say all members pay in.
How the pieces fit
WRS describes retirement income as three parts: your WRS pension, Social Security, and your own savings, such as the WRS 457(b) plan. Your pension is figured from your highest average salary and years; see the WRS formula. Social Security is separate, and WRS doesn't estimate it. For your Social Security estimate and rules, go to the Social Security Administration (ssa.gov).
Disability: two separate decisions
Disability retirement needs 10 or more years of service, active contributing status when you apply, and an application before full retirement age (under 60 Tier 1, under 65 Tier 2) or meeting the Rule of 85. The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months. Total disability pays 100% of the service retirement benefit as if eligible for normal retirement (no age reduction); partial disability pays 50%. Social Security approval does not qualify you automatically. If you quit before applying you lose eligibility. Handbook pp. 24-25, Disability Retirement and Disability Retirement Eligibility
Taxes
Your WRS pension is taxable federal income, but Wyoming doesn't tax it. See taxes on a WRS pension. Handbook p. 21, Income Tax Withholdings
The WRS sources don't cover how Social Security figures your own benefit, spousal benefits, or when to claim. Ask the Social Security Administration. Related: what WRS pays your family and working after you retire.
From the sources
- All Public Employee Pension Plan members pay into Social Security, so your WRS service also earns Social Security credit. WRS doesn't withhold Social Security or Medicare tax from your pension.Handbook p. 24, Social Security
- Wyoming's Social Security law (W.S. 9-3-301 to 9-3-306) lets the state sign an agreement with the federal government covering employees of the state and its political subdivisions, and it lists school districts as political subdivisions.W.S. 9-3-301(a)(v); W.S. 9-3-303(a)
- Under that law, covered employees pay their Social Security contribution by payroll deduction, and each employer pays its own share as set in the agreement.W.S. 9-3-304(a), (b), (d)
- WRS describes a secure retirement as three parts: the WRS pension, Social Security, and personal savings such as the WRS 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. It says Social Security gives retirees a basic safety net and gives active workers important death benefits.WRS Summary Report (2026) p. 10, Putting Your Retirement Together
- The average Public Employee Pension Plan benefit paid to retirees in 2025 was $22,428 a year ($1,869 a month), after an average of 20.2 years of service. WRS says that, with Social Security and personal savings, career members can keep their pre-retirement standard of living.WRS Summary Report (2026) p. 7, Public Employee Pension Plan Retirement Benefits
Questions
Do Wyoming teachers pay into Social Security?
Yes. All Public Employee Pension Plan members participate in and pay into Social Security.
Is Social Security tax taken from my WRS pension?
No. WRS doesn't withhold Social Security or Medicare tax from monthly benefits.
Does Social Security disability qualify me for WRS disability?
No. WRS decides disability retirement on its own rules. Social Security approval doesn't qualify you automatically.
Where do I get my Social Security estimate?
From the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov. WRS doesn't calculate it.
Source: WRS Public Employee Pension Plan Handbook, Updated August 2026, pp. 21, 24-25. Also: WRS Summary Report (2026); W.S. §§ 9-3-301, 9-3-303, 9-3-304. Last reviewed .