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EEOC protects retiree benefits

'Mis-Leading,' Politicizing, and Fund Raising -- The AARP has launched a grassroots campaign fueled by fear-mongering in opposition to a recent decision by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) that AARP mischaracterizes as a threat to the rights of Medicare-eligible retirees. In a current mailing to members, the organization is using the issue to raise funds for political activity that would jeopardize current and future retiree health benefits if the EEOC rule is not finally implemented.

NEA and the labor community broadly sharply disagree with the mischaracterization and support the EEOC's decision.

The Facts: The EEOC decision simply allows employers to continue to offer health benefits for retirees not yet eligible for Medicare. The EEOC action is crucial because a prior court ruling held that offering such benefits coordinated with Medicare violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

The EEOC decision does not cut the benefits of Medicare-eligible retirees. It does not change bargained contracts. It does not change state law. Our strength at the bargaining table and the legislature is what wins and protects our health benefits. Nothing in the EEOC's decision changes this.

Social Security Offsets -- Work Underway

The Chairman comes to the Negotiating Table: The first negotiations in the long history of NEA efforts to win repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) are continuing.

The tenacity of our primary repeal sponsors, Representatives McKeon (R-CA) and Berman (D-CA), supported by the strong advocacy of NEA members and other activists, has brought the Chairman to the negotiating table.

A discharge petition -- a procedural mechanism to bring a bill directly to the House floor -- is circulating among House Democrats. Given the breakthrough in opening negotiations, Representatives McKeon and Berman believe a partisan discharge petition is not helpful at this time.

The committee process is the strongest vehicle to win repeal legislation. NEA is committed to results and does not support the discharge petition.

NEA remains confident in Representatives McKeon's and Berman’s commitment to resolve the issue and address the unfair offsets.

Fifteen-Minute Activist: Pay an at-home visit to your Members of Congress. Congress will be in recess for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and the August Recess. Members will also be in their home districts for extended weekends during this election year. Pay a visit and tell your story.