Christian Worstell | November 03, 2023
Do Postal Workers Get Social Security?
Social Security is a system that U.S. workers pay into throughout the course of their lifetimes. Once they reach a certain age, individuals can collect Social Security benefits. Many older adults rely on these benefits to help cover their living expenses and everyday costs after they retire because they no longer have a steady paycheck coming in. But do postal workers get Social Security?
Postal workers are considered federal employees, and whether federal workers can collect Social Security benefits depends on when they worked for the government. Some postal workers are eligible for Social Security while others may not be eligible at all.
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Which Workers Are Eligible?
Federal government workers, including postal workers, who were hired before 1983 didn't pay social security taxes. Instead, these workers paid into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), a different benefits program. Workers who decided to stay in CSRS after 1983 are not eligible to collect Social Security benefits.
For workers who didn't stay in CSRS and started paying Social Security taxes after 1983, their CSRS pensions could impact the Social Security benefits they're eligible for if they had less than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security.
Current postal workers and those hired after 1983 pay into the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and are eligible for Social Security benefits.
How Much Does a Postal Service Worker Make in Retirement?
The federal retirement program provides pension payments and disability coverage to eligible individuals. The amount of money a postal worker makes in retirement depends on their age and how long they worked as a postal worker or government employee.
A postal worker who retired in 2023 with 25 years of service would make a monthly basic annuity between $1,447-$1,478.
How Many Years Do You Have to Work for the Post Office to Retire?
To be eligible for retirement annuities, a federal worker must have at least 5 years of creditable civilian service and 20 years of service. They must also be a certain age to collect benefits, and this age depends on the year they were born. These ages range from 55 to 57.
What Benefits Do Postal Workers Get?
Postal workers get an extensive benefits package for the work that they do. This includes compensation, health benefits, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, long-term care insurance, retirement, life insurance, commuter programs, career development programs, vacation and sick leave and 10 paid holidays per year.
Newly hired postal workers are eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits. Other postal workers may also be eligible for benefits depending on when they were hired and what programs they've paid into over the course of their employment.
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Talk to a licensed agent today to find a plan that fits your needs.
877-578-6039
Can You Collect Social Security If You Never Worked?
Social Security is a program that workers must pay into for at least 10 years. It's possible to collect Social Security benefits if you never worked if you're the family member of someone who did work and paid into the system.
Spouses, ex-spouses, children and parents may also be eligible for spousal, survivor or children's benefits based on the qualifying worker's history of earnings and Social Security tax payments.
