> they don't pay SS tax This isn't really a benefit. Public employees with access to a state pension generally don't pay into SS because their state pension is

> they don't pay SS tax This isn't really a benefit. Public employees with access to a state pension generally don't pay into SS because their state pension is is lieu of social security. They pay into the pension instead and have to hope it exists in the future, which for many states is significantly riskier than relying on federal social security.