In many states, teachers (and other state or local government employees) are prohibited by federal law from collecting "spousal retirement benefits" from the Social Security system when they retire if they have state or local government pensions. But a loophole in the law allows them to receive such benefits if they spend a single day-their last working day-in a different job. A GAO report found that school districts not covered by the federal law are arranging for retiring teachers from other districts to work for a single day as a janitor, clerk, or food service employee so that they can retire with the full spousal benefit. The districts charge up to $500 to arrange the one-day job for teachers who want to take advantage of this loophole; sometimes they advertise this deal on their websites. Teachers who participate eventually receive on average $4,800 per year in spousal benefits from Social Security. "Pension loophole exploited," by Allen Pusey, The Dallas Morning News, August 16, 2002
