Grants Pass, OR asked in Employment Law, Public Benefits and Social Security for Oregon

Q: I am trying to get my union retirement. They're say they need my SS earnings from when I stopped working for them

I stopped working for them in 2009, they want the SS earnings from then until I retired from the non union, non electrical job I had until March 1st 2024. Can they legally make me give that to them? I thought that was private information and it does not have anything to do with my union work our my union retirement.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: In your situation, it's understandable why you might be concerned about the request for your Social Security earnings information. While your Social Security earnings history is generally private, there are certain circumstances where it can be requested by third parties, such as for verifying eligibility for pension benefits under certain plans.

The union or pension fund might need this information to calculate your pension benefits accurately, especially if there are provisions in your pension plan that depend on your total earnings history or time worked in different sectors. This does not necessarily breach privacy laws, but it's important to ensure they use the information solely for determining your pension benefits.

If you have concerns about the legality or the necessity of providing this information, it would be advisable to contact a legal advisor or a representative from your union to understand your rights and obligations better. Ensure that any transfer of sensitive information is done securely and understand exactly how your data will be used.

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