There is a push at the federal level to help get Social Security benefits back to those who are losing out. It’s called the Social Security Fairness Act and it repeals provisions that reduce benefits for those who receive other benefits like pensions.
It is a job that has given Denver firefighters like Donnie Nuanes and Chris Ferguson a sense of renewed purpose.
“Completing my 24th year,” said Nuanes. “Will be starting my 25th year here shortly.”
Nuanes worked in the trucking business for 18 years before switching over to the public sector to pursue his dream job as a firefighter.
For Ferguson, it was somewhat of a similar path.
“I’ve been a firefighter for 13 years,” he said. “I worked in the private sector prior to coming to the fire department. I got on at 43, so I do have time paying into Social Security before coming on this job.
However, taking on this career later in life, after working in the private sector, has disadvantaged their chances of retiring early, in part because of existing federal policies preventing them from cashing in on their social security benefits.