The Kentucky Division of Social Security State Social Security Administrator for Kentucky

Frankfort Kentucky (March 24, 2004)---The US Congress recently passed legislation that enhances the manner in which Kentucky may conduct social security and/or medicare referenda of public employees. PL 108-203, signed into law on March 2, provides Kentucky governmental employers with another option in providing such coverage.

Local governments generally provide FICA coverage (social security and/or medicare) to their employees by entering into a Section 218 agreement with the Division of Social Security. If such a political subdivision desires coverage for its employees who are covered by a qualified retirement system, a referendum must first be conducted to determine if the employees desire the coverage.

These employers may request the Division to provide social security and/or medicare coverage to such employees. The Division would, in turn, conduct a referendum to allow eligible employees their choice in coverage.

The political subdivision, as the result of PL 108-203, may now ask the Division to conduct a divided vote referendum. The Division, after the required notification period, would allow each eligible employee to express their individual choice on coverage. Those employees who desire coverage would become covered, while those employees who vote "no" would remain non-covered. Any new employee would automatically be covered.

The Division can conduct a divided vote referendum for full FICA coverage, which includes both social security and medicare. Alternatively, the referendum can be conducted for medicare-only coverage by voting only those "old hire" employees not currently paying into medicare.

Please call James Driver or Daryl Dunagan at 502.564.3952 if you have any questions or would like more information on providing social security and/or medicare coverage for Kentucky governmental employees.

Note: The Kentucky Teachers Retirement System (KTRS) is a retirement system that may not be divided for social security and/or medicare coverage purposes. The Division can not conduct a social security and/or medicare coverage referendum for employees filling positions covered by KTRS.

For questions on social security coverage for a Kentucky governmental employer - Send an E-mail to the KY Social Security Administrator

Division of Social Security
403 Wapping Street, Suite 340
Frankfort KY 40601-2638
Phone: 502/564-3952
Fax: 502/564-2124

For questions on social security benefits or social security cards - Send an E-mail to the
Federal Social Security Administration

Social Security Administration (SSA)
1-800/772-1213

Click here for a list of SSA offices in Kentucky