Guard Member Loses Supreme Court Social Security Dispute (1)

The U.S. Supreme Court sided with the federal government in its dispute with a National Guard member over retirement benefits for so-called dual status workers categorized as both civilian and military employees.

The justices on Thursday ruled 8-1 that so-called dual-status workers are, unlike uniformed service members, not exempt from a rule that lowers Social Security benefits for government workers eligible for other federal retirement programs. Circuit courts were split on the question.

The ruling won’t likely have sweeping impacts, as the government told the justices it would only apply to certain dual status technicians hired between 1968 and 1984. ...