As previously discussed, a public agency that does not have a section 218 agreement has a choice of participating in Social Security or providing a Social Security Replacement Plan (SSRP). Although many California local governments rely on CalPERS as their principal...
The vast majority of public agencies already maintain a 457(b), or eligible deferred compensation plan. A much smaller number also maintains one or more 401(a) plans in addition. This post discusses some of the reasons a public agency might want to add a 401(a) plan...
By Jeff Chang As we previously explained, most public agencies are not automatically subject to Social Security. They have a choice between voluntarily participating in Social Security pursuant to a section 218 agreement, or they can exempt some or all of their...
By Jeff Chang Previously, we explained that California alone has thousands of public agency employers (i.e., cities, counties, special districts, school districts and JPAs) that do not contribute to Social Security, but instead provide a Social Security Replacement...
By Jeff Chang Many cities and special districts establish and maintain more 457(b) plans than they really need. We routinely see public agencies with as many as two, three or four 457(b) plans. How and why does this happen? And, are there any advantages or...
By Jeff Chang Due to the IRS’ different treatment of private sector and public agency boards of directors, it comes as little surprise that many California special districts and public agencies continue to classify their board members as independent contractors and...
By Jeff Chang A section 218 agreement is an agreement between a state (or its local governments and instrumentalities) and the Social Security Administration providing for participation in Social Security and/or Medicare for designated groups of employees....
By: Jeff Chang There are two ways in which state and local government employees can receive a “rude awakening” from the Social Security Administration: Through the application of the Windfall Elimination Provision and/or the Government Pension Offset. Because the loss...
By: Jeff Chang For many American workers, the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program serves as an important component of their retirement savings. This is not necessarily the case for the millions of workers whose State, local government and...