NOTE: On Nov. 12, for the first time ever, the House passed H.R. 82 by a vote of 327-75. For updated information and to take action to get the Social Security Fairness Act, go here.
Fully Repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision
Massachusetts public employees do not participate in Social Security, but some public employees may be eligible for benefits through other employment or their spouses. However, two federal policies, known as GPO and WEP, can significantly reduce the personal or spousal/survivor Social Security benefits of certain retired Massachusetts educators simply because they also receive a public sector pension. These are deeply unjust policies that unfairly punish public employees who have paid into Social Security themselves or whose spouses have contributed to the system. It is essential to the economic security of current and future retirees that GPO and WEP are finally addressed, which is why the MTA urges you to write to Members of Congress to ask that they support the Social Security Fairness Act. This legislation would fully repeal both provisions and ensure that retired educators receive the benefits that are owed to them.
