KMOV - Change Could Mean 70 Workers at Lambert Will Lose Some Social Security Benefits

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By: Lauren Trager

Are dedicated workers getting the rug pulled out from under them?

That's what some local leaders say is happening to dozens of employees at Lambert Airport who recently learned they'd be losing some the benefits they worked hard for.

It all started decades ago and got a lot more complicated when Missouri gave back local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Some people told News 4 it's a good example of government gone wrong.

"I stay, because I love my job and I love my work," said Officer Matthew Nunley.

Nunley has been working as an airport police officer for over 10 years. He and 70 other employees put some of the pay towards Social Security.

But recently, they learned the federal government was making a change. Though they've paid in, they won't be getting all of their Social Security benefits. For Nunley, it could mean losing tens of thousands of dollars he'd counted on.

"To be told you aren't going to receive your benefits for your hard work, it's kind of a slap in the face," said Nunley.

So why is this happening?

"There's no question this is based on a mistake and needs to be corrected and they refuse to correct it," said City Counselor Michael Garvin.

The mistake, Garvin says the Social Security Administration assumed that airport police fall under the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and should receive a police pension, not Social Security.

But Garvin says airport police are *not* police department employees and never have been.

"They've done the job and worked very hard and all of a sudden, they get screwed because some bureaucrats won't change their mind," said Garvin.

Stunned, Senator Claire McCaskill is now stepping in, working to reverse the Social Security Administration's decision.

"I think it is one of the bureaucratic bungles that I enjoy getting straightened out because it impacts real people and real families and I'm optimistic we will get this one straightened out," said McCaskill.

In the meantime, facing an uncertain future, Nunley says he wants the feds to listen up.

"We just want what's fair and what's right and what we've worked hard for," said Nunley.

The Social Security Administration said it is sticking by its decision, saying it doesn't matter which department the officers work for. They're officers as defined under the law and the administration says they shouldn't be getting Social Security.

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