Mississippi PERS's guides treat Social Security as one of the 'three legs' of retirement alongside the Mississippi PERS benefit and personal savings, and Mississippi PERS's pre-retirement seminars cover Social Security benefits. Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 5 describes Social Security coverage of Mississippi PERS-covered employees dating to 1951-52. Our Mississippi PERS sources do not state in so many words that every teacher is covered by Social Security, and say nothing about how Social Security treats the Mississippi PERS benefit. Pre-Retirement Guide (2024), pp. 5-6, Follow the Three-Legged-Stool Approach; Member Handbook (2024), p. 47; Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 5, § 101
Mississippi PERS sources imply coverage (the 'three-legged stool', Regulation 5) but none states plainly that all Mississippi PERS-covered teachers pay into Social Security.
We say only what Mississippi PERS says: plan on Social Security as one leg of retirement income.
What would settle it: A Mississippi PERS or Mississippi Social Security Administrator publication on the state's Section 218 agreement.
- Mississippi PERS's guides treat Social Security as one of the three legs of retirement income, alongside your pension and personal savings.Pre-Retirement Guide (2024), pp. 5-6
- Check with Mississippi PERSOur Mississippi PERS sources don't state plainly that every teacher is covered by Social Security.rules.json needsValidation: social-security-coverage.Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 5, § 101
- Mississippi PERS's pre-retirement seminars cover Social Security benefits, along with estate planning, deferred compensation and the state health plan.Pre-Retirement Guide (2024), p. 5
- Option 4C, the Social Security leveling option, paid about the same total yearly income (Mississippi PERS plus Social Security) before and after the member's earliest Social Security age. It was only open to members who retired before July 1, 2004.Mississippi PERS 2024 annual report, p. 104, Option 4C
- For disability retirees, the income limits on other work don't count passive income such as interest or Social Security income.Member Handbook (2024), p. 40
Questions
Do Mississippi teachers get Social Security?
Mississippi PERS's guides treat Social Security as one of the three legs of retirement income, with your pension and savings, but our Mississippi PERS sources don't say in so many words that every teacher is covered. Check your Social Security statement.
Does Mississippi PERS have a Social Security leveling option?
Not any more. Option 4C paid about the same total income from Mississippi PERS and Social Security before and after your earliest Social Security age, but only members who retired before July 1, 2004 could choose it.
Where can I learn about Social Security before I retire?
Mississippi PERS's pre-retirement seminars cover Social Security benefits, along with deferred compensation and the state health plan. The Social Security Administration decides your Social Security benefit; your statement at ssa.gov shows your covered earnings.
Your Social Security statement at ssa.gov shows the earnings you've paid Social Security tax on.
Source: Mississippi PERS Member Handbook, Revised November 8, 2024, pp. 40, 47. Also: Pre-Retirement Guide (2024); Mississippi PERS 2024 annual report; Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 5. Last reviewed .