SSA/IRS Issue Update from Missouri ACTE
and Sarah Topp, Gamble & Schlemeier
December 10, 2008
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Missouri ACTE members:
Since a couple of weeks have gone by without an update, I thought you should hear a little on this SSA exemption issue whether there is action or not. There are a few items of information that I will pass along.
The meeting between our federal congressional delegation and the IRS and SSA commissioners is scheduled for this Friday, Dec. 12. Although we dont expect any policy determination on Friday, we are one step closer to resolution. This meeting was delayed because top level officials needed to research the issue.
Mr. Sadowski, the states designated SSA administrator has formally requested of the IRS a delay in implementation from the july 1, 2009 date to july 1, 2010. He stated many arguments, but primarily indicates Missouri needs more time to sort through this matter.
We at Missouri ACTE continue to work with other Missouri public school organizations, PSRS and DESE on this critical issue. We have been brainstorming and exploring other possible solutions. These ideas need further legal vetting, but include pursuing a state statutory modification to allow 218 agreements to be redone; an emergency rule for PSRS changing definitions to fit old 218 agreements. It is really premature for me to even mention these possibilities since more research of their validity needs to be done, but I want you to know action is being taken to get to a resolution.
Calls and emails to our congressional delegation is about the only thing our membership can do right now. We need to keep reminding them it is critical that Missouri teachers, counselors and other public school staff know where they stand on the social security exemption issue and impact it could have on reducing your retirement benefits coupled with being short-changed on social security benefits.
Hang in there! And I will continue to let you know what is happening even though it is happening slowly. Call me or email me anything you have questions and I will be happy to respond. Unfortunately, most answers right now are no one knows for certain.
Sarah Topp
Gamble & Schlemeier
sarah@mo-acte.org
573-634-7366
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