[TheRealThing]

Most teachers I know including me have already worked the consecutive quarters for S.S. Also, not including our spouses, who by the way we (teachers) are not allowed to receive the full benefit even though others are allowed to receive it. So to answer your first question, no.

Gov. Bevin has put a court order on the actuary analyis of the new plan. Did you know that, did you know there is not analysis done on HB 151. I wonder why? Again, TRS people have known about this for years. Hence, the idea of the casino bill as an example of a solution that was from the past. So to your point two, believe what you will.

You've paid income taxes, not social security. The money you paid for your retirement went to the State of Kentucky.

I believe reality. People in Russia have worked a lot of quarters too, using your logic they would also be eligible for SS payments. The reality here is you're looking for any way you can figure out to draw SS when you haven't contributed one nickel towards the fund. Teachers in Kentucky have pensions which are administrated by this state. You legally opted out of SS when you became a state employee. That's the law, and the contract under which the conditions of your employment are covered, clearly defines those terms.

There is nothing particularly honorable or special about being a teacher. I know the rationale these days conflates parenting and education, and many people disagree with that notion completely. The truth is when done in a moral fashion, ALL forms of work are honorable pursuits and worthy to be esteemed by one's peers. Now, I'm done arguing with somebody who's looking for emotional vent in lieu of taking responsibility for their income fortunes. MOST of the folks I know had to completely change their vocational field (many of them several times) because they lost their job. And it is always a traumatic proposition. The article sourced below shows the true face of your average taxpayer, who're all under tremendous burden.

[SIZE="3"]
"The average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life according to career change statistics." [/SIZE]
http://www.careers-advice-online.com/car...stics.html

I am not at all happy that you and others are going through this. But this life isn't easy and government is never the answer. When you figure that one out, you'll have your rank one equivalent in the school of hard knocks.