Social Security Coverage Notice Updated

An updated form used to notify newly hired employees that their employment is not covered by Social Security is now available.

State and local governments (e.g., Texas school districts and community colleges) that do not participate in Social Security are required to provide newly hired employees with a written notice that their employment is not covered by Social Security. The notice, Form SSA-1945 Statement Concerning Your Employment in a Job Not Covered by Social Security, was updated in mid-March to remove references to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Employee Notification Requirements

The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on January 6, 2025, repealed the WEP and the GPO, eliminating the reduction of Social Security benefits for some Teacher Retirement System (TRS) retirees. The requirement for school districts and colleges to notify employees that earnings from their job are not covered under Social Security remains.

Employers hiring any employee for a position not covered by Social Security must do the following:

• Get the employee’s signature on Form SSA-1945.
• Give the employee a signed statement and information page.
• Submit a hard copy of the signed form to TRS.

A copy may be kept in the employee’s personnel, payroll, or benefits file.

The new version of SSA-1945 explains that non-covered earnings will not be used to determine eligibility or calculate the amount of potential future benefits.

School districts and colleges should download and begin using the updated form now. Signed forms that were completed in the past do not need to be updated.

Resources

Visit the HR Services Resource Library for more information on Social Security in Public Schools and Social Security in Community Colleges (member login required). Check the Social Security Fairness Act webpage for more information on the elimination of the WEP and GPO.