Do I Lose My Previous Social Security Credits If I Become a Teacher

I'm a teacher, going back to be a nurse. I plan to cash out my TRS benefits fairly soon, unless I go back to work for the state after school, to avoid this. You can't avoid it at retirement by doing it though, so no advice there - other than to suggest that you work in a state where teachers pay social security.

Your dependent benefits (widower/disability) are offset by the amount of your pension... private or your own social security benefits.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10007.html
I don't especially find this unfair because it treats a private retirement (TRS) like a public retirement (Social Security Self Benefit).

Here is how the windfall elimination affects what you earned in the private sector:
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10045.html

If you have 30 years of private employment with substantial earnings - currently set at just under 20k, then the private sector offset doesn't affect you at all.

I want to reitterate - social security was never intended to fund people's retirement. It was supposed to keep people too old to work fed and warm for 5 - 10 years, when they were expected to die.

Which also explains why a fellow student, who does not work and collects free housing (section 8 - $740 a month), free food ($600 a month for her, two girls, and their dad - who no longer lives with them), free daycare (workforce - $650 a month), free school (Pell), a new car (student loans) and blackberry and cigarettes (sells foodstamps) while my husband and I drive an 8 year old car and work full time while paying for my school and daycare with student loans for the same degree, because his $2250 a month salary (before he pays his ex $600 in child support and $300 in health insurance) puts us $50 a month over qualifying for the same free assistance but honor demands that he support his kids ... so our taxes pay for hers instead.

Social security. :)
Ha.

I think your question is important enough to take to a retirement planner or accountant to be sure you are getting the right advice for your specific situation. I really encourage you to also talk to many teachers in a variety of settings (not just the grade level or subject you're interested in, and not just at one school). I don't want to discourage you, but there is a lot of low morale in the teaching profession, and getting these perspectives will help you confirm if this is the right move for you. Just my two cents! :)Or you may get lots of positive input!

I cannot figure out how to delete what I said because everyone else has great answers.

If you have 40 credits or more of social security, you do not lose that money. You'll be able to retire with both social security and teacher retirement.

Im a teacher and I just want to make SURE that is what you want to do! I know a lot of miserable teachers out there, I am one.

As far as SS, in arkansas, I worked at a job that put in towards SS and I still got to keep those credits when I moved to texas to teach. So, I THINK you do get to.

ok I can answer the husbands benefits question. My mother is a retired educator. My father passed away last year. My mother also had credits before she became a teacher. She is currently collecting off my father's benefits. And she was able to do it when he was eligible, not when she was. Hope this helps. SS tried to tell her she wasnt eligible for his benefits because she was a teacher, she let them know yes she was becuase she had the credits.

Don't let the negative comments about teachers affect you! I am a teacher and I am loving it. Is it hard?- YES Can the hours be long?- YES Is it worth it?- YES YES YES
I had a previous career, but always felt pulled to teaching. I finally made the switch and am very happy I did. I think the negative comments come from people who thought it would be easy work and get to have summers off. If your heart is telling you to teach, then do it!