Short answer: no. Alaska teachers don't pay into Social Security through their Alaska TRS jobs, so an Alaska TRS pension takes the place of Social Security for that work. Any Social Security benefit you get would come from other jobs or from a spouse's record. Handbook (2011), p. 21, TRS and Your Social Security Pension Benefits
No Social Security through Alaska TRS
Alaska teachers do not participate in Social Security, and Alaska TRS members do not contribute to it. Handbook (2011), p. 21, TRS and Your Social Security Pension Benefits
Offsets
Check with Alaska TRS From the 2011 handbook. The 2011 handbook describes the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. DRB's 2025 seminar handout doesn't. Why that matters
The 2011 handbook says a Alaska TRS pension may reduce Social Security benefits through the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision. The 2025 seminar handout says only to contact Social Security about any benefit you earned. Handbook (2011), p. 21; Seminar handout (Jan. 6, 2025), slide 33
The 2011 handbook describes the WEP and GPO reductions. That text predates the 2025 handouts, which no longer mention them. Federal law on WEP/GPO is outside these sources.
We say only what the DRB sources say: the 2011 handbook mentions the offsets and the 2025 handout doesn't. We don't estimate any effect.
What would settle it: A current Social Security Administration publication on WEP/GPO.
Medicare at 65
Medicare: if you get Social Security before 65, you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically at 65. If you don't, contact the Social Security Administration three months before you turn 65 to enroll. Handbook (2011), p. 24, Medicare Enrollment
If you aren't eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A because you lack enough Social Security or Medicare-covered work, Social Security sends a letter saying so. Send a copy to the AlaskaCare claims administrator and AlaskaCare keeps paying for Part A services as before 65. Handbook (2011), p. 24, Medicare Part A
Everyone must pay a premium for Medicare Part B. If you don't enroll at 65, AlaskaCare estimates what Medicare would have paid and subtracts it, so you pay more of the bill. Handbook (2011), p. 24, Medicare Part B; Failure to Enroll on Time
Who to ask
For questions about how an Alaska TRS pension affects a Social Security benefit, the handbook points to the Social Security Administration: (800) 772-1213, TDD (800) 325-0778, or ssa.gov. Handbook (2011), p. 21, TRS and Your Social Security Pension Benefits DRB can answer questions about your Alaska TRS pension itself; its contact details are on the how we calculate page.
The facts
- Alaska teachers do not pay into Social Security through Alaska TRS employment. Any Social Security benefit would come from other work.Handbook (2011), p. 21, TRS and Your Social Security Pension Benefits
- Check with Alaska TRSThe 2011 handbook says an Alaska TRS pension could reduce Social Security through the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. DRB's 2025 seminar handout just says to ask Social Security about any benefit you earned.The WEP/GPO text is from 2011; current federal rules are outside the saved sources.Handbook (2011), p. 21; Seminar handout (Jan. 6, 2025), slide 33
For your own Social Security record and any benefit from other work, ask the Social Security Administration.
Questions
Do Alaska teachers pay into Social Security?
No. DRB says Alaska teachers don't take part in Social Security, and Alaska TRS members don't contribute to it.
Will my Alaska TRS pension reduce my Social Security?
DRB's 2011 handbook said it could, through two federal rules. DRB's 2025 seminar handout doesn't mention them; it says to ask Social Security about any benefit you earned. This site doesn't estimate any effect.
Can I get Medicare without Social Security?
DRB's handbook says to contact the Social Security Administration three months before you turn 65 to enroll in Parts A and B. If you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, send Social Security's letter to the AlaskaCare claims administrator and AlaskaCare keeps covering Part A services.
Do I have to sign up for Medicare Part B?
DRB's handbook says yes, at 65. If you don't, AlaskaCare subtracts what Medicare would have paid, so you pay more of the bill.
Source: Alaska Teachers' Retirement System Information Handbook (Tiers I and II), 2011 edition (current on drb.alaska.gov), checked against the TRS Retirement Application Instruction Booklet (June 2023), pp. 21, 24. Also: Seminar handout (Jan. 6, 2025), slide 33. Last reviewed .