SSA/IRS Issue Update from Missouri ACTE
and Sarah Topp, Gamble & Schlemeier
December 18, 2008
|
Missouri ACTE members:
Since our last update the meeting between the Missouri congressional delegation and representatives from the SSA and IRS has taken place.
The attached letter from our congressional delegation to the SSA and IRS outlines the results of that meeting.
Please take time to read this letter so you have a better understanding of the course of action being taken.
Most notable is their request to remove any compliance date until all these issues are resolved.
They have asked that a decision be made on this matter by Dec. 30, 2008.
A working group comprised of the SSA, IRS, PSRS and the state’s SSA administrator has been established to work through these issues.
As a result of this working group’s efforts we should then know what positions are affected by this decision.
It has been suggested by the IRS and SSA representatives that Missouri’s interpretation may be "over reaching" the issue.
Time will tell.
The group’s work is to be complete in 60 days.
I am doubtful we will have all the information we need at that point.
If the end result is that many or even some of the teachers under the Missouri ACTE umbrella are adversely affected, we intend to pursue measures to rectify the problem.
Any teacher - career education or otherwise - needs to be treated the same for purposes of retirement benefits and social security contribution exemptions, particularly as long as the WEP/GPO exists under federal law.
If the current legal framework does not allow all these individuals to be treated the same because under federal law we are required to match up with positions from the 1950s or 60s era education, then that legal framework needs to be changed!
Sarah Topp
Gamble & Schlemeier
sarah@mo-acte.org
573-634-7366
Letter From Congressional Delegation - PDF
|
|
|
