For information on Social Security please visit their website at https://www.ssa.gov or call 855-881-0212.
The local Social Security office is located in the Technology Park off of Thomas B. Landers Road at 48 Research Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536.
As government workers, Massachusetts public employees do not participate in Social Security. However, many public employees may be eligible for Social Security benefits based upon earning forty (40) quarters of credit or through the work history of a spouse. It is important to know that Social Security benefits are often affected by the receipt of a retirement allowance from the Falmouth Retirement System. Although your retirement allowance from the Falmouth Retirement System will not be reduced as a result of Social Security benefits, Social Security benefits might be reduced as a result of your public pension from the Falmouth Retirement System.
There are two federal laws, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which may reduce and, in some instances, eliminate a Social Security benefit because of a retirement allowance from a Massachusetts public pension system. To learn more about either the WEP or the GPO, please review the following link:
In addition, there are several private advocacy groups and public employee unions working with the Massachusetts congressional delegation to repeal both of these federal offset laws. Information on these various organizations can be found on our links page.
Social Security Administration Forms: Around July of each year, retirees collecting a Social Security benefit and a retirement allowance from the Falmouth Retirement System may receive a form from Social Security asking them to provide certain information with regards to their retirement income. Although we are always happy to assist you with this form, completing this form can be done by the retiree and does not need to be brought to the office of the retirement system.