@SusanS680647 wrote:
His rationale is that I don't need as much money now that I have a second income. He also brought a new hire on board that the company can't afford, so it may be about robbing Peter to pay Paul.
A co-worker told me his pay was cut 5 years ago when the boss brought on another hire he couldn't afford. More of a pattern than age discrimination.
I asked SSA if he would be informed because I was hoping to avoid this scenario. I had to apply for benefits to supplement my income because I haven't had a raise in 3 years. Cost of living is up - my income isn't.
As I said, SSA does NOT inform employers that a person has filed for retirement benefits just because they are filing for them. So, the employer must have found out some other way, perhaps through the office grapevine. Have you discussed your intentions with the employer?
From the info you have provided, it sounds like he wants to get rid of you or protect the company from what you may decide to do.
Your employer cannot reduce your pay without some other type action.
Like:
Your employer could reduce your hours and thus you would receive less pay.
Your employer could put you into a new job that pays less just because it is a less (whatever) position.
Your employer has every right to hire another person but the employment expense is up to the company - not your pay.
Your employer might think you are getting ready to fully retire (leave) or want to cut back on your hours. The employer may just be protecting themselves from labor need issues in either of these situations.
Again, have you discussed your intentions with the employer.
It seems this isn't about Social Security as much as it is about Fair Labor Practices and whether or not you have a legitimate complaint about how you are being treated. Why don't you contact the Labor Board in your state with your labor / pay complaint.
The cost of living continuously changes especially if your expenses are based on someone or something raising it and you are unable to adjust. The choice is ours on staying with an employer that does not show us our worth in financial reward. We adjust our lifestyle based on our income not the other way around.
The cost of living does not stop increasing just because we begin to get SS retirement benefits. When beneficiaries do get a Cost of Living adjustment it is based on how the Federal Board of Labor Statistics figures it based on GDP - far from the actual escalating rent, taxes, transportation, food, medical cost, including meds, that may happen to us based on where we live, our health condition and how we can adjust.
At full retirement age, at least your SS benefit will not be reduced if you continue to work, depending upon your work pay. However, if there is any way you could continue to work and not claim your retirement benefits until 70, your SS benefit would reap a big reward - about 8% higher for each year that you wait to draw the benefit.
If you feel that your employer is treating you illegally, you can contact your state Dept of Labor and file a complaint. Discrimination complaints are handled by the EEOC - provide detailed proof either way to prove your case.
It's Always Something . . . . Roseanna Roseannadanna
