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S. 206, The Social Security Fairness Act of 2007
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Visitor Comments
Joan Sullivent
I am 66 y/o retired Civil Servant with both WEP offset and full GPO offset. My own Social Security benefit is just barely more than my Medicare premium. I have to work part time job just to survive. The passing of this bill would allow me to actually retire!
Diane Cordell
I am soon to retire and subject to the GPO and WEP. Having spent 15 years as a homemaker, now divorced, my spousal benefits are not available to me. I entered the workforce in my 40s with a high school education. Needless to say my403b will provide a minimal retirement income. the passage of this bill would give me the SS benefits I have earned.
Barbara Smith
Please support the Social Security Fairness Act H. R 82.
I am an older teacher who returned to the classroom 10 years ago. I now get Social Security of about $800 per month. If I retire from teaching I will loose my SS and get only CA teacher's retirement of around $1000 per month I do not think it is fair to eliminate my SS.
I am penalized by returning to teaching. If my husband should die, I will no longer be eligible for his larger amount of SS. I know of several other teachers with the same problem.
Barbara A. Smith
William Reid
I am a recently-retired postal worker with over 30 years of service. I paid enough into social security (40 quarters) to qualify for benefits. However, because I retired under the old CSRS system, I will be robbed of over 60 percent of my SS benefits under the windfall offset law. Now, there is talk on Capitol Hill of providing SS benefits to illegal aliens. Can any of you congressmen imagine how disenfranchising it is to hear of such propals when we older American citizens cannot collect the SS benefits that we rightfully earned? Don't we American workers deserve the same consideration as the immigrants who enter our country illegally?
Gail B.
I worked for 18 years under Social Security, and last 29 years not under SS. I am 66 and trying to retire, but cannot because of WEP. The little bit I will get from the annuity/pension will not be enough to live on if I don't get full SS. Full SS is very small because it is based on my first 18 yrs of work, but now SS will give me only less than half of the SS benefits I was always told I was earning and would receive when I retired.
Bob W.
I worked for 10 years paying into SS while in the military. After leaving the military, I began my Federal Civil Service career paying into CSRS. I’m now a retired federal employee working as a consultant and back paying into SS. I expect to continue working and paying into SS for another 10 years or so. Note the key word in all this, paying. To me SS is not a gift but a paid for annuity. I paid my premiums but will not see the annuity. If the government feels they don’t owe me the annuity they could at least refund my premiums.
C.S.
I worked & pd SS for 21 yrs. I have since worked 22 yrs in a govt job. I pd taxes and contributed to the economy. Now I'm penalized. So unfair!! And why do only 15 states treat their citizens this way?!
Bill Collins
Why are certain government workers robbed and cheated like this? I counted on my small Social Security benefit that I had paid into for the first 15 years of my working life. It is already reduced during the last 20 years I have not contributed. Now, they will rob me of two thirds of whats left. My Soc. Sec. statement indicates my benefit is around $1,000 per month, but I will only receive about $340 per month. How do this rich lawmakers sleep at night? I've never hated so much!
BILL AYMOND
RETIRED FROM A STATE JOB AND MY SS
BENEFITS WERE CUT IN HALF AND I STILL PAY TAXES ON MY STATE RETIREMENT NOTHING IS FAIR IT'S TO
HARD TO WORK ANYMORE THAT MONEY
MEANT A LOT TO ME AND MY WIFE .
charlotte collins
What I don't understand about these laws is that they apply to only public service employees in 15 states...not the entire country...how unfair is that?? If, I am wrong on this statement, please explain this to me.
Mary Helmer
I am 67, retired State employee and I was counting on the Social Security I'd paid prior to becoming a state employee. My SS has been cut to about 40% and this means that I cannot afford anything but the very basics. I am trying to find another job, knowing that I am tied up regarding adding to my retirement income. If I return to government employment, I just loose the rest of the SS and if I return to private employment then I will only receive and increase of about 40% of anything I pay into SS.
Right now it is a toss up between gasoline and medicine.
Please repeal this unfair law!
Bonnie W.
I AM A CSRS WORKER, I FEEL THAT IT IS WRONG FOR ME TO WORK AND PUT IN THE CREDITS TO DRAW THE MINIMUM SS AND BECAUSE I RETIRE FROM A CSRS JOB I CANNOT DRAW WHAT IS DUE ME, BUT SOMEONE ELSE CAN WORK A JOB AND RETIRE FROM A COMPANY AND DRAW A PENSION AND SS AND NOT BE PENALIZED. IF I PAID INTO SS, I AM ENTITLED TO THE SS CHECK IN FULL.
Neal S
My wife taught in the public schools for 16 years beginning at age 40. She was fully vested in Social Security before she began teaching. She had no choice but to participate in the state public teachers' retirement system, which did not involve Social Security. She now draws a very small monthly check from that retirement system. And her reward for 16 years of public service??? The government will penalized her by paying only half of the Social Security benefits she earned prior to her teaching career..AND when I die (I paid full Social Security throughout my career), she will be denied spousal Social Security benefits. THIS IS CRIMINAL.. I AM ASHAMED OF MY GOVERNMENT FOR DOING THIS! Public servants should be rewarded by their government...not cheated. At the very least, they should receive what everyone else is entitled to. That's all this bill is asking. Yet I fear that the Congress will simply allow this bill to die and try to tell us "we tried".
Robert Nemnich
I also feel the recipient should get all social security benefits for which they are entitled. Government pensions should not effect the social security benefits or social security should have any effect on pensions. Both have been earned through contributions.
Karen & Richard
We are very disgusted that AARP chooses not to support legislation in the form of H.R.82/S.206 that would eliminate the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision from Social Security. The involvement of AARP is vital to repealing these provisions that penalize educators and public sector employees.
AARP has an obligation to help make sure no educator or public sector employee loses benefits they or their spouses have earned.
Richard & Karen
The Social Security Fairness Act (S.206) has been referred to THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE. You can help support the effort to eliminate the WEP / GPO provisions of the Social Security Act by calling Senator Baucus (D-Montana), Finance Committee Chair @ 202/224-2651 and also contacting him through http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/offices.cfm
Another ranking member of the Finance Committee is Senator Grassley (R-Iowa). He can be reached @ 202/224-3744 as well as @ http://grassley.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Offices. Tell them that you support the Social Security Fairness Act (S.2 6) and that you want them to move it out of committee.
03/26/2007
Deborah Simpson
I began earning wages when I was 15 years old. Illness caused me to be unable to work for about 4 years. Having completed my BA and now working on my teaching credential, I am about to realize a lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. To my dismay, I find in when I become employed as a teacher I will lose my social security. I am 54 years old. I will teach but I am incensed I have to give up money which I am entitled to receive upon my retirement. It makes no sense and seems almost criminal. I have no choice or say. I cannot even dispense it to my children. Where does it go?
This situation must be remedied if we are to attract people to the teaching profession.
AE
I have paid into SS for over 23 years. It is totally unfair to have my SS benefits reduced because I receive a Civil Service pension of which I had to contribute 10% of my salary into.
To know that there are people from other countries who have never paid one red cent into our SS system and able to collect SS based on their spouses SS and then move back to their country overseas where all our SS money will spent tells us that our system is broken and needs to be fixed.
Bill Jamieson
I worked for over 30 years in the private sector. I then changed careers to teach in our local public schools. WHERE is the fairness in reducing my social security benefit up to 40% because I chose to work the last 10 years in the teaching profession? This is NOT right.
Joe Mesmer
I retired after 25 years service loyal to one employer. I paid my own police and fire pension and worked 20 to 30 hours a week on part time jobs so that I could receive SS and help with my retirement. Guess what, I still am working part time and my employer and myself are still paying into SS but I still am penalized under the Windfall Act. I urge the hundreds of thousands of AMERICANS being penalized not to vote party lines but instead vote for the lawmakers that support changing this law and make it FAIR to the hundreds of thousands being penalized
Lynda
I have just retired with over 30 years of service to the Feds. Additionally, I have contributed over 15 years (well over 40 quarters) into SS from full time and part time civilan jobs. I will lose over 60% of my SS annuity because of this Windfall Elimination and the Government Offset Provision. To say I am upset is to say the least. These provisions must be eliminated and the only way that will happen is if S.206 (and H.R.82) is enacted.
We all know how unfair the GPO and the WEP is, and we all know that providing SS benefits to illegals is a total travesty to all of the dedicated and loyal civil servants who contributed to what they thought was going to be their retirement funds.....THIS BILL MUST GET THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES; WRITE TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN, WRITE TO YOUR SENATOR. WRITE TO YOUR NEWSPAPERS AND TELL THEM ABOUT THIS TRAVESTY. We contributed to Social Security to provide for OUR benefits....not for illegals.
Richard & Karen956A5
Have you made that call to Senator Baucus and Senator Grassley of THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE?
Their telephone numbers appear six postings prior to this one.
Nancy
My Postal Pension will be $683 for 13 and 1/2 years of service, by no means what a 30 year Postal pension would be, yet GPO and WEP affect me the same way. My SS statement says I have $400 coming for 12 years of previous work before entering the Postal service, but because of WEP and GPO I will get "NO" SS. How does the Government think that I can live on $683? This is so unfair!
Alyse
In my own case, I worked for twenty solid years and paid in on social security before I began teaching at the later age of 40, and when I did begin teaching, a portion of the school year was taxed to pay social security. As a result, I have ended up contributing a large portion of my earnings into the social security system.
Now, I find I don't have nearly enough from teachers retirement and that I will receive only a mere pittance of what I contributed to social security due to the Windfall provisions. It is grossly unfair that the money I contributed for all those years is now being used to support the system rather than to support me!
Our senators need to speak up and support all of us who worked hard and contributed so that we can receive the financial security that we were promised and justly deserve.
James
I have worked 35 years under CSRS and 20 under Social Security. When I started working under CSRS in 1964, I planned to split my career between public service and private enterprise under Social Security. In 1964 I would have received full retirement under both systems. I thought I had a contract with my employeer (Federal Government). Much later the law was changed to greatly reduce my Social Security benefits. This is not fair!! Please change the law to give me the full Social Security benefits that I have earned.
Gail Bales
Taught CA '69-'97. Began in NJ in '62. SS was taken out of NJ paycheck.
Worked private sector, moonlighting; earned SS 40 qtrs by '06.
Friends who NEVER worked (spouses earned in top 5% bracket), get % of spouse's SS. Law written at its inception is outdated.
I earned private SS qtrs paid SS tax & am penalized by draconian WEP & GPO.
I receive SS $105 a mo. $94 is taken for Med.B leaving me $11 a mo. in SS.
If spouse predeceases me, I get NO spousal SS benefits; his income was earned in CA, comm. prop. state. Married 30 yrs. WEP & GPO are unfair redistribution of my earned benefit.
Repeal WEP/GPO. If citizen pays into SS, give them their due. If spouse paid & receives SS but dies, pay the surviving spouse her SS due from com. property of marriage.
Written, passed petitions, phoned members of Cong. for 10 yrs. NOTHING has been repealed.
Please repeal WEP/GPO during this session of Cong.
Respectfully,
Gail Bales
Anaheim CA 92807
714.998.5614
Richard E. Oehlers
I am a retired police officer from Toledo, Ohio. I worked under Social Security before joining the police department, during my time on the department I worked parttime jobs and contributed to S.S. We have friend that never paid into the system and are collecting more that I am.
Richard E. Oehlers
Riverview, Fl 33569
John
When I sat with a rep from social security who figured my s.s. payment, she shook her head and apologized then said you would probably get more if you were illegal. What a comment , but I guess what she really said is your country no longer cares how hard you worked. Better luck in the next life.
Lucy
I am a government employee, widowed, recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. Little did I know when I took a government job. What message is our government sending to us? Don't work for us because you will be penalized? Do you think this will attract good, loyal employees?
Maxine L. Eaves
LIKE SO MANY OTHERS,I AM SUBJECT TO BOTH THE GPO AND WEP. I WENT TO WORK OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, PAID SS PREMIUMS ACCORDING TO LAW, HAVE THE REQUIRED 40 QUARTERS, BUT AM NOT DRAWING ALL I EARNED DUE TO THE WEP BECAUSE I WENT TO WORK AT AGE 31 FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT! A SPOUSE WHO NEVER WORKED A DAY OR PAID A PENNY INTO THE SS SYSTEM CAN DRAW HALF THE AMOUNT THEIR SPOUSE DRAWS - YET BECAUSE I WORKED FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT I CANNOT GET ALL OF WHAT I EARNED NOR A PENNY OF MY SPOUSE'S SS DUE TO THE GPO. I AM NOW 71 YRS. OLD NEED, WANT, AND EXPECT WHAT I EARNED AS PROMISED TO ME AND IS RIGHTFULLY DUE ME.
R. Zbella
All of us who worked and paid into Social Security deserve to receive all of our benefits. Why should we be cheated because we changed careers or worked part-time in addition to a full-time job just to make ends meet. Many of us are depending on our Social Security benefits for retirement income. Please do all you can to pass this bill!!
GA Teacher
GA is a mixed state, with 32 school systems not in SS. Those who work in a SS paying system do not have a problem. I will have to work in SS to get a portion of an ex husband's SS to add to my TRS. Lucky me, there are school systems that pay SS so I can go to one of them without moving.
Every year, my Union Local does a workshop about this--many are not aware and some don't believe it is true.
This was a "fix" to SS in the late 70s. It let non profits opt out of SS. Non profit hospital, fire, police, and educators. There is no money to change the law.
Adrienne Angelo
Please pass this bill!!! As a retired teacher in Maine,my pension is pathetic and no one could possibly support themselves on it. It is discriminatory for me to now be earning SS benefits to support myself and have them taken from me...especially since many states do not honor this provision.
I would never persuade any young educators to stay in the teaching profession because of this unfair legislation!
Ronald Bush
Thank you for making this forum available. I certainly hope the excellent comments contained herein can be forwarded to all Washington Representatives and Senators.
This is an excellent and deceptively simple piece of legislation. It hits the crux of the problem with the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision squarely.
Tom
A couple of comments herein seem close to home. I woked in the public sector for several years then went to work for local government. No SS was witheld. I was retired on a disability. I then worked in the public sector for a few more years. I recieve full disability and full SS benefits.There is an exception in the SS regs.(If you were eligible to retire from your job on or before Dec. 31 1985 you can get your full SS benefit. Remember you did not have to retire, just be eligible to retire Process is to lengthy to describe here, but I can explain by e-mail if anyone is interested. tomgul@comcast.net
Kathy A.
I worked full time in the public sector for 10 years and then part time for over 30 years. I am a teacher aide in the state of LA. Now that I thought I could retire I find that my social social security benifits and widows death benifits will be cut because I am drawing a small retirement from the state. This does not seem fair. Members of the house and senate are able to double dip. Why are we being punished for working?
Jim B
I worked as a police officer for 25 yrs and retired with a minimal retirement, hardly enough to survive these many years later. Prior to that I paid SS on other jobs I worked and while in the Marine Corps.
After retirement I worked for 12 yrs as a self-employed Private Investigator and paid into the system both as an employee and employer. Now my SS is cut in half because I was a police officer even though I paid more into the system for about 20 years as than someone working in the private sector. Yet anyone can come into this county and work 10 years and only pay the employee share and receive 100%. This is not fair.
DONNA V.
SINCE RETIRING FROM TEACHING, I HAVE WORKED AND HAD TO PAY INTO SS. WHY?? HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT TAKE MONEY FROM ME KNOWING FULL WELL I WILL NEVER RECEIVE A PENNY OF SS. MY HUSBAND PAID INTO SS FOR 45 YEARS AND PASSED AWAY 3 YEARS AGO. DO I RECEIVE WIDOWS BENEFITS? NO, BECAUSE A CHOSE TO BE A PUBLIC EMPLOY. FORGET PARY LINES AND VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
Thomas F. Bennis
Including my military service, I have 40 years of public service, mostly in law enforcement. I retired in 2004, and will begin collecting social security in two months. In reference to this bill I have been writing to my representatives and senators for years to no avail. I suggest that all teachers, policemen, firefighters, and other civil servants who are, or will be, affected by this unfair law, unite and vote only for those candidates who will get this bill out of committee and into law.
r & k
PLEASE FOLKS, PUT YOUR ENERGY WHERE IT WILL DO SOME GOOD!
You can help support the effort to eliminate the WEP/GPO provisions of the Social Security Act by calling the office of Senator Baucus (D-Montana), Finance Committee Chair @ 202/224-2651 and also contacting him through http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/offices.cfm
Another ranking member of the Finance Committee to contact is is Senator Grassley (R-Iowa). He can be reached @ 202/224-3744 as well as @ http://grassley.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Offices.
Tell them that you support the Social Security Fairness Act (S.206) and that you want them to move it out of committee.
For Heavens Sake,TAKE ACTION TODAY!
06/01/2007
Robert L
I also have been effected by the GPO and WPA. My work history has included paying into the social security and government pension. The only way in my opinion to get the acts repealed is to contact your representatives throughout this country voicing your opinions. In order to get action, everyone in this country has to stand up and be heard. The government pension cost me $147 from my social security.
Claudia B
I am 65 and ready to retire with a small government retirement. I also worked and paid in more than 40 quarters to SS but am unable to receive the SS pension because of WEP. It is unfair to pay into the system and not be able to draw that money.
carol hughes
I paid into Social Security for 25 years. The last 12 years of my employment I worked in Public Health (I am an RN), and taught nursing at a college. I DID NOT KNOW UNTIL ONE YEAR BEFORE I RETIRED I WOULD LOOSE 66% OF MY SOCIAL SECURITY! Also, my son has worked 15 years for Boeing, received in BS in Math and wanted to teach middle-school math. When he found out he would loose his social security, he continued working for pooring. California lost an EXCELLENT math teacher.
Virginia
I worked for local government for 18 years and paid into SS for 17 of those years until they opted out of SS. I also paid into the government pension plan for all 18 years. I left government and had my own business for the last 20 years. Now they say I didn't have "significant earnings" these last 20 years and the Windfall applies to me because of my government pension. Why?? I paid SS on my government earnings for 17 of the 18 years and SS on my business earnings for the last 20 years. Also paid SS on my earnings for the 10 years before government work. I don't see why someone working for the private sector who pays into SS and receives a pension from the private company can receive full SS and I can't.
Katt
The government should not penalize people who have worked all their lives, paid into SS, and then gone into 2nd careers such as teaching. People should be able to retire with the monies that have been taken from their paychecks without having a choice. Those who paid into SS should get their SS AND any money in a retirement system. It is sad that the government is so quick to fund pork projects and give so much of our taxpayer money away but is so slow to protect the middle class worker who is the backbone of this country. Unfortunately Congress suffers from "OPMS"- other people's money syndrome- it spends it freely but not where it always should. I for one am tired of paying taxes on money I earn, money I save, and money I spend. There is too much abuse of citizen money and this is one issue that demonstrates it.
Guy and Myrna
After more than 30 years working under CSRS including 4 years serving in the military and nearly 16 years paying into Social Security I receive barely 60 percent of the Social Security that I should receive. Those that retired by the middle 80s receive their full social security. The system rightfully is computed to help those that made less income but everyone that qualifies should receive the amount based on this same formula.
Joe and Betty
We too find it hard to understand how a federal law (windfall act) can only be enacted in 15 states. If it is federal it should be all states or no states. I have worked all my life and only the last 8 1/2 years as a state employee and now I am denied 60% of my ss. How can anyone feel it is ok to give ss to undocumented people when those of us who were born and worked for 50 years in this country can't receive ss ???????
Kenneth M.
I spent just under 32 years in the military (active, guard, & reserve) while working 34 years as a federal employee under CSRS. Now I'm told my SS benefit earned thru paying into SS during all those military service years will be cut by over 50%. Tell that to the guard and reserve civil servants serving in Iraq. The government thanks you for your service!
Jason Lillebo
This definitely needs to pass. Those of us who are teachers in Nevada and work extra jobs that pay into Social Security will never see anything from our contributions otherwise. As someone else stated, if we contribute to the system, we should get benefits. Period. Why should the fact that we also get a pension from the government matter?
James III
Tune into C-SPAN ! Sen. Bill Nelson
Fla. (D) is pushing S 935. He
has been pushing this bill for
"7 years". 39 co sponsors.
" Repeals certain provisions which
require the "offset" of amounts paid in dependency and idemnity
compensation from Survivor Benefit
Plan (SBP) annuities for the sur-
viving spouses of former military
personnel who are "entitled" to
military retired pay or would be entitled to such pay except for being under 60 years of age."
Sound familiar ? If passed this
could lead the way for elimination
of Social Security "offsets".
Phone or email your Rep. or Senator
ASAP! Keep the pressure on !!!!
Minnie Bullard
Please support the Social Security Fairness Act. I am a retired school teacher who paid into Social Security for over 36 years. I will receive 1/3 of my benefits because of my retirement in the School system. The GPO and WEP should not apply only in 15 states out of 50. And only apply to teachers, fireman, and police. Everyone should be held accountable to these laws, including government employees , or no one should be penalized for choosing to teach, be a fireman or police person.Please support the SocIal Security Fairness Act.
Cynthia Oeser
Please pass the Social Security Fairness Act. (S.206). I am a retiring teacher in California (gradually being forced out because I make too much per hour), and I put in all my Social Security quarters before I started teaching. I only have 17 years of teaching service and I need ALL of my SS to survive. This is a very unfair thing, the way it is offset. My next door neighbor is retired military and retired post office and n either of his pensions are offset. Please , please pass this.
Brian Marcks
I worked for 27 years in the private sector, paying into SS each paycheck, but will only get 40% SS benefits, as I took a State job (23 yrs.) and need to work to 70 to get more SS benefits.
R & K
The Latest News:
House Ways and Means Chairman Announces Intent to Hold Hearing on Social Security Offsets!
Go to: http://www.nea.org/lac/socsec/latestnews.html Is your Congressman and Senator on the list of co-sponsors?
Jim R
Had 20 years of Federal service under CSRS. Had 2 in Army with tour in Vietnam. Went out with 40% Disability Retirement. Worked in private sector to complete SS credits as well as to earn additional income. I have NO WINDFALL by any means, yet my SS was cut by 50% or more. If I should ever get the full amount of SS I'll still have a pretty low income. SSA seems to like it the way it is as if its their own money they would be paying out if, by some miracle, this thing is ever repealed. The projected billions it would cost the fund over time is a drop in the bucket compared to wasted Government spending over the same term. What if it were to be paid retroactively to make the whole issue entirely fair. If our leaders don't at least get this to the floor for debate in this session I may give up after monitoring this closely for 3 1/2 years now. Best of luck to all of you/us.
Kim Cleveland
I paid all of quarters for Social Secuity and have been married for 52 years. I worked as a teacher for 25 years and paid into STRS. I get a lower rate from my retirement because I did not work 30 years, and almost all of my social security was taken away. I am getting 26.00 a month. I had to work till I was 68 years for 25 years in teaching.
Henry Senatore
The GPO reduces a spouse's Social Security benefits by two-thirds if his or her partner received pension payments from a non-Social Security plan. Further, the complicated formula for the WEP cuts Social Security pension benefits by about 40 percent for retirees who also get pension checks from a non-Social Security plan. Seventy-five percent of GPO/WEP effected individuals are women and forty percent are widowed. These women may suffer up to 50% reduction in their benefits according to National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association President Margaret Baptiste.
Proposed legislation to repeal these provisions have, collectively in the House and Senate, many co-sponsors. Yet these proposals languish in Committees. Your Senator/Representative may tell you they co-sponsor, but what are they doing to get the bill our of Committee for vote?! Write or Call them - get these out of Congressional Committees for positive vote. It is time to repeal GPO and WEP, now!
Tony M
The government pension offset & windfall elimation provision penalize pepole who served their government. This is a disrrace to our country. I notice congress & the president is exempt along with federal judges.
CONSTANCE S.
Why am I being penalized for 41 years of public service?
Sharon P
I worked over 40 years for NYS and private sectors - and went on total disability after this time. Because one of my NYS (part-time employers did not take out Social Security Taxes, I am penalized now 50% of my Social Security Disabilty I receive. ALL the taxes I did pay into Social Security for over 30 years don't count!! This is so unfair to so much of the population!! I am glad enough people have brought this issue to our representatives and please, everyone, make your phone calls and send letters to your reps so they know how we feel-- I have!!
Mark B
Congratulations, you all got what you voted for, a non-guaranteed *retirement* plan forced upon you by being duped into thinking it was Government's responsibility to manage your retirement.
Just think about what you might be living off of if you could have kept your 15% a week and invested it wisely, or simply stuck it in a savings account to earn even the smallest amount of interest. You wouldn't be compaining about how unfair things are right now, that's for sure.
All this bill will do is pacify you until they figure out how to take it from you again, if they haven't done so already.
R & K
W O W! Mark B reads like a Michael Moore cohort. Please read on . . . .
R & K
Congress adjourns, for August Recess, at the end of this week and will not return to work in Washington, DC until after Labor Day. SO, WHERE DO WE STAND?
H.R. 82, which would fully repeal both the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, have garnered record numbers of cosponsors. Charlie Rangel, Ch. of the House Ways and Means Committee, has announced plans to hold a hearing on the bill. The Ways and Means hearing have not yet been scheduled. Your
Representative may tell you they co-sponsor, but have you asked what are they doing to get the bill out of the Committee?
Congress won't do a thing unless they hear from their constituents. You can make a difference by: Telling your friends, family and colleagues across the country about this unfairness. Writing, e-mailing, faxing or calling your
members of Congress is the only way THE SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT OF 2007 is going to get the attention it deserves.
James III
As usual when a piece of legislations "for deserving citizens" is getting close to possible passage..the "fiscal
neo-cons" come out of the closet
to be snide. I have many friends
who have decent retirements due to
solid investments and a 401 K.
But not ONE is interested in giving
up their "full Social Security Check" which was justly earned over
the years. That's WHAT we want
our "Full check" not one with a
40-60% offset ! I bet the complaining "neo-cons" are lard
asses who never served their
country - in the military or
otherwise. They are called "chicken
hawks" for good reason !
Bien Hoa - Sully 67-68
James M
Once again Republican Legislators are unfairly taking benefits away from people who worked hard all their lives to be eligible for Social Security.
shawn
social security is doomed and I want my money back! If they would just let me invest all of my own money I would be set to retire. It is just a scheme to allow the government and the elderly people that "lived it up" their whole lives instead of saving to leach off of the children of the united states. It sick to mortgage your children's future this has to stop.
Ron
Hi, I had well over 40 quarters before I took a state job in Mass. It was a bit of a surprise to find out that I would only recieve a portion of my Soc. Sec. benefits due to GPO/WEP. Not only that, a State empolyee in Mass. is told that after so many years he can expect an 80% retirement. Then they ask you if you ever heard of Option C. If you want your wife to get any benefits should you die first, you must take Option C. That reduces the 80% to 60%. tch tch..huh! It is dificult to find out these things, AFTER you retire.
Lets pass these bills ASAP!!!
Louise O
We are writing to support H R 82 ("named" the Social Security Fairness Act). You are probably familiar with the Bill. We ask for your support.
I am a two career school teacher ( stay at home mother to raise our children and a 15 year teacher ). I receive a modest (hundreds of dollars a month) retirement from Cal STRS. I will NOT be eligible for my spouse's Social Security Survivor benefits if he predeceases me. My spouse worked hard for Social Security benefits, but because I was a teacher I will not get the benefits. I am being penalized for helping children. This is wrong.
Please tell all your friends, colleagues, and representatives that this Fairness Act needs to be moved into law.
Steve O
I decided to return to teaching after "retiring" from my corporate career. This should be a good thing, as I am teaching methematics. But, I will be penalized if I teach too long .... my Cal STRS eligibility will erode my Social Security benefit. This is a disincentive. Why would people who have had long private sector careers ever want to help out by teaching math, science, and languages? They will not want to erode their social security benefits.
Please strongly support HR 82, and keep us updated on the status of this important piece of legislation.
R & K [aka: Richard & Karen]
URGENT! Go to . Make your voice heard today! SIGN NEA's ELECTRONIC PETITION!!
R & K, again
Sorry. The web-site for the petition is: http://www.nea.org/lac/socsec/latestnews.html
Lynn
charlotte collins
What I don't understand about these laws is that they apply to only public service employees in 15 states...not the entire country...how unfair is that?? If, I am wrong on this statement, please explain this to me.
Charlotte the 15 states involved have separate retirement systems in place for their employees. Those states having no windfall elinination don't have pensions, so their employees use SS for their pension.
Helen Stewart
I am a retired teacher and my husband paid into Social Security for forty eight years and since I am under PERA I have been denied his benefits which certainly is unfair so I feel I am being discriminated against for wanting a higher standard of living because I worked outside the home. If I stayed at home I would receive his benefits. The Social Security Fairness Act needs to be passed.
R & K
Folks, if you have'nt gone to: [http://www.nea.org/lac/socsec/latestnews.html] and made your voices heard by signing the petition, you need to do that TODAY!
~ TAKE ACTION, NOW ~
Julie Davis
My 84 year old aunt is struggling to make it but because she worked for the federal government, she has not been able to get any SS benefits for the 30 years she's been a widow.
Ken Elstein
Several Senators who are also Presidential candidates have not signed on among the 34 bipartisan co-sponsors. Among them NOT YET co-sponsoring the bill are Democrats Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, and Republicans John McCain, Sam Brownback, and Chuck Hagel. Please urge them to support the bill. [The only House member running without co-sponsoring HR 82 is Rep. Tancredo.]
Dinah Witczak
After ten years in the private sector, time off to raise children, I am now divorced and working in the public sector. It is irritating that I will have worked thirty years altogether and retire with less than others who have also worked thirty years or less but were not subject to windfall or offset.
James III
Friday, September 7, 2007 was a good day for Americans and those
striving to obtain a college education. Congress passed the College Cost Reduction & Access Act
at a cost of 20.9 billion dollars.
College costs have soared 40% the
last 5 years. This is the largest
over haul in more than 60 years. President Bush said he would sign
the bill ! Keep the faith and keep the pressure on ! Congress is in
a positive frame of mind to help
its citizens. The Social Security
Fairness Act - if passed - will
cost 67 billion over 10 years. Or,
only 6 months of the Iraq War bill..
Vietnam Vet - Bien Hoa 67-68
Dave
How unfair can a law be? If you are not going to give me my social security then stop taking it out of my paychecks! Don't penalize me for working two jobs most of my life.
rgiles
: The Social Security benefit reductions that apply to workers whose employers do not participate in Social Security often come as a surprise to hardworking public servants who are about to retire. Moreover, the GPO and the WEP are widely acknowledged to be 'blunt instruments.' That is, they can produce undesirable, unpredictable, and inequitable results that vary based on the individual circumstances of workers and their families. Finally, they often leave workers with less than they had anticipated in retirement--and can even leave people with too little to make ends meet. The issue is particularly salient now as many more of these affected employees are reaching retirement age without having been aware of the impact on their potential Social Security benefits of being employed by an entity which does not participate in Social Security.
James III
rgiles..is quoting Rep. Charles
Rangel who , hopefully, will
hold a sub committee meeting
on the impact of GPO / WEP...
before the end of this month
(Sept.07)
Robert Hutcherson
Shame on those legislators who enacted the Social Security Off-Set, penalizing those who EARNED benefits. Those selected to be penalized are those who retired after September 1987. This method of selection seems to encompass the majority of those veterans who served during the Viet Nam Era. Shame on those legislators who allow this to continue by letting bills die in committee year after year without voting to end this disgrace!
Jan Sternisha
I worked for 15 years in the private sector and now 23 in the public schools. Please support this bill so that people who have worked in more than one sector can receive SS that they and/or their spouses contributed to.
Stephen
I thought we lived in a country that cared about people--life, liberty and pursuit of happiness as all the politicians like to say. To take our hard earned retirement dollars away from us is not caring, nor humane, nor fair. No other Western country gives it citizens as unfair a shake as this.
Please...call your reps. We must pass this bill.
T & P Y.
Please pass this bill! - My wife will get nothing at retirement and I am currently penalized by the obsolete WEP/GPOffset laws. This is URGENTLY needed to help protect the SS earnings of honest, hardworking American Citizens (not illegal imigrants). Even though I had over 30 years of credited service with the Fed Gov't, I have worked in a SS paying job for more than the 40 quarters required for full SS retirement - yet illegal imigrants get more than I do already in terms of community/social services.
Benjammin
This legislation should be passed. Quit stealing from the Soc. Sec. fund to make low interest loans, and take the money that is being wasted on maintaining outmoded military weapons systems to put the Soc. Sec. fund back in the black!
Jack Griggs
I worked in Law Enforcement for 40 years and paid into social security plus paid into my city's retirement plan. Upon retirement at age 64 I learned that I would NOT RECEIVE FULL SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS even though I had more than enough to qualify for benefits. I was counting on this to supplement my retirement and now find myself seeking employment to be able to retire where I thought I would be financially.
kara bradstreet
I am a Civil Service employee for 30+ years and my husband owned his own trucking business. He paid into SS for over 30 years, and now that he is gone I am being placed in jeopardy of losing window's benefits if I retire. I am 67 years old and feel my husband worked hard all those years to support people who just don't want to work.
Connie S.
I am a spouse of a retired CHP office from California. I am 60 and have worked for 42 of those 60 yrs in the public sector. If my spouse dies before I do I will be robbed of most if not all of my ss because of his pension. This is so wrong, because his pension hardly meets our monthly needs as it is. How am I ever going to be able to retire?
H. Caldwell
I served 22 years, in the military(Navy) went to work after retirement for civil service. My SS has been cut 60% due to the quote (Double Dipping). I served with honor with low pay during my military years and paid into SS. I feel that this bill needs to pass to rectify a major problem for a lot of Americans who do not deserve being shortchanged what they earned as wage earners.
E Pontious
Before I became a teacher, I paid into the SS System. I am now a retired teacher, and I feel that it is totally unfair that I cannot receive any social security benefits nor from my husband's benefits. It's about time that legislators do something for the people who have paid into social security at one time in their lives, and they are now being penalized because of other types of jobs they now have or have had in the past. Please show some compassion and fairness to those of us who have worked hard for the public sector. Thanks!
Bill Chenoweth
I have paid 30 years into SS. I am also a FED retiree. I worked two jobs for 17 years full time. I am still paying SS and don't plan to retire untill this bill gets passed. I can't. I'm told by high level people in SS that there is no way in hell congress will pass this since it costs too much and because they have no pressure since most people who will be affected by this aren't aware of it and won't be until they retire. Come on guys we need help. If anyone knows anything emial be at wgc@pobox.upenn.edu
James III
Libertarian and satrist writer
PJ O'Rourke wrote a book way back in 1991. The title was "Parliament
of Whores". It was a biting
indictment of the ineptitude of
Congress to get anything worthwhile
accomplished. It's October 2007
and "the more things change...the
more they remain the same!"
Larry Couser
I retired from teaching in 2000. For ALL of my adult life I worked two jobs. Teaching did not pay into SS but my second FULL time job did pay into SS. I now find that all of the money paid into SS will go to paying benefits for illegal workers. I am not against anyone receiving benefits. I am very disappointed with my representatives in Washington D.C..
I urge Congress to repeal these two very bad laws. Support passage of the Fairness in Social Security Act.
John G
I voted no on this bill by mistake. I moved my hand and pressed my hand, very very sorry. This law has affected me as my SS has been cut by 2/3.
Harriett Handspike
I Retired from the Federal Government with 28 yrs of service. I am now employed for a non-profit organization. Why should I have to continue paying into Social Security when I only receive 2/3 of the benefits I am entitled to?
Ruth Ann Henke
I think many of the other comments say it all. Please repeal these laws. They only penalize the people who have worked so very hard at community "service" jobs all their lives to make ends meet and then are penalized because they did work so hard. Please see how unfair GPO and WEP are, and repeal them. If others can draw retirement/pensions from all their jobs, why can't those of us who worked hard in community service do the same? Surely it would be more cost-effective than paying for our expenses when we fall below the poverty level.
John J. Williams
I am 62. For 35 years, I receive CSRS disability retirement "annuity" check. Am now considering applying for SS benefits, and am confronted with WEP and GPO. Both WEP and GPO talk about SS benefits being reduced if you receive a gov. "pension." Black's Law Dictionary neither defines "annuity" as a "pension" nor "pension" as an "annuity." An "annuity" for disability retirement is supposed to compensate for injury received caused by employment while "pension" is a deferred system of payment for services rendered. Therefore, an "annuity" is not a "pension" nor vice-versa, and neither WEP nor GPO should apply. So why am I told that we will suffer WEP + GPO losses? I also receive VA comp. for service-connected disabilities that doesn't impact WEP or GPO, so why should my Civil Service disabilities impact them? Thanks. John Williams, wizguru@jjwill.com
Mike And Cathy
My wife and I are being penalized almost $4000.00 a year because of this unfair law. Civil servants get the shaft again.
Dylan
Like many others, I worked outside of government for many years earning Social Security entitlements. Little did I know that after the fact, my social security benefits would be severely reduced because the Congress didn't want to reward those employees who worked minimal part-time jobs to earn sufficient credits to qualify for Social Security.
This law is so unfair to apply the law to so many people who worked in the private sector before or after working for government.
I contacted everyone I could regarding this patently unfair provision.
Hillary Clinton responded saying that it should be placed in a larger Social Security provision...ie. buried in some other legislation that also has no chance of passing.
Needless to say, Ms. Clinton's lack of concern for our plight is not endearing me to her campaign.
I urge all of you to contact Ms. Clinton to find out why she feels that this extremely important provision (to us) is of no concern to her.
James III
The solution is quite simple.
This country needs a "massive
over haul" on domestic priorities:
roads and bridges,S-Chip,
universal health care ( like Europehas -), mandatory youth
service to the "country ( military,
social work, environmental issues,
etc. Get it ? We need another
" FDR " with a competent cabinet!
James B
Someone wrote "Why didn't you put your money into a 401k". Well when I started working as a Firefighter in 1968 there was no 401k or anything like that. If I had known that the GPO/WEP was going to be put into efect I would have made some kind of plans different than my FF pension (which is not much) and SS which will be only enough to pay for my medicare. Like all FF's we worked a part time job which we payed SS, we were told that would supplement our retirement, that was why we did not receive a larger paycheck and thus a larger retirement. This was told to us by our Town Board when we would try for a pay raise. My first paycheck was $86.00 a week. I have told my Wife that She will get 60 percent of my retirement when I die which will cut out Her SS She has worked for. She has worked and payed into SS for almost 50 years. Is this fair to Her? I am sorry Dear I made this promise to you and the Government took it away. If I could change it I would!!! I love you
Kate
How unfair we have been treated! It is time to fight back and call attention to this bill.
Good luck to all of you and the fight ahead of us.
R & K October 31, 2007
GPO/WEP Hearing Scheduled for November 6!!
The Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, chaired by Senator Kerry (D-MA), has announced that they will hold a hearing on the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision on Tuesday, November 6. MTA/NEA Retired member, Peggy Kane – a high school English teacher for 35 years who retired four years ago from the Medford Public School system in Massachusetts – will testify at the hearing.
Announcement of the hearing is a huge victory for NEA members and other activists who have been pushing hard for movement on legislation to repeal the GPO and WEP.
[continued in next post]
R&K [continued]
The Subcommittee will accept written submissions for the record. Your statement must be typewritten and single-spaced, not exceeding 10 pages in length. The first page must clearly state your full name and address as well as the title and date of the hearing (“GPO and WEP: Policies Affecting Pensions from Work Not Covered by Social Security” November 6, 2007).
Statements must be MAILED (not faxed) to:
Senate Committee on Finance
Attn. Editorial and Document Section
Rm. SD-203
Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510-6200b
R&K [finale]
Statements must be received no later than two weeks after the hearing. In submitting a story for the record, please:
Follow exactly all the submission standards as outlined above.
Be clear and concise in your message.
Tell your story using polite language and urge Congress to repeal the GPO and
WEP.
Be sure to correct all spelling or grammatical errors prior to submitting.
Stay Up-To-Date! The latest GPO/WEP news is posted on NEA’s Legislative Action Center at http://www.nea.org/lac/socsec/index.html.
Jana Adams
I wonder why this is stuck in committee. We are not being treated as legislators would want themselves treated. I stay informed on many issues and will remember every election day that I worked (and still working two jobs) 40 some years only to have half my expected social security pension go into thin air.
James III
Just a reminder ! If you have
cable - tune in to C-Span or
C-Span II on Tuesday, Nov 6th
to seen if this important
subcomittee is " on the air!"
After viewing - please follow the
recommendations of R & K. The last
push for "OUR just due!!"
Ted S
We are not asking for anything that we did not pay for..We are American working people that have given our time to this country and would do it all over again..All we ask for justice..If we can provide for those that have never given a dime we should surely take care of those who gave their lives. Shame on those opposed..
William Smith
I paid into Social Security 24 years while working for an oil company. I was laid-off in 1986 and went to work for a school district that did not collect Social Security tax, only collected Texas Teacher Retirement. Now that I am retired my Social Security benefit is reduced by almost the same amount as my Texas Teacher Retirement benefit. I paid into both Social Security and Texas Teacher Retirement. It is totally unfair to reduce my Social Security benefit because I receive Teacher Retirement. I am just asking for what I paid for- nothing more. S. 206 and HR 82 should pass and make the Social Security Fairness Act of 2007 into law.
Fay Coble
I am 66 years old and still work as a community college counselor because my STRS retirement isn't enough to live on without getting my full Social Security retirement amount. Luckily I love my job and am healthy enough to continue a few more years until my STRS will be enough to get by on. All of my Social Security benefits were earned before I came to work in education and I stand to lose most of it. If I had known the consequences of having retirement in both systems I would have stayed in my other career field just taken a different job when I got hurt and had to have a less physical job. Both WEP and GPO penalize those of us who didn't work in education for our entire careers. I am but one of many is this situation.
Jo Frances
I am a widow and I have reached retirement age but cannot afford to retire as my survivor benefits would be reduced to $176 mo and my Government Pension is only $1031. The laws governing Social Security Supplemental Income needs to be revisited; legal immigrants from other countries are eligible to receive these benefits 6 months after arrival if disabled and if they have children they can also collect Public Assistance benefits for them. But widow's and their children are penalized even though they had a wage earner paying into Social Security.
Bonnie
Everyone here has a comment, but can anyone answer a question? Does the WEP and GPO take effect if a person is not yet vested into a state retirement system but is paying in? In CT, we vest at 10 years of service. I have only 3 years in and so if I quit today I would take my retirement and roll it as a lump sum into an IRA. If I'm not yet collecting retirement, and quit teaching to go back into the private sector before vesting, will I escape the WEP and GPO (I have 25 years already in the private sector, paying into SS)? If you know or can tell me where to go to find out, please e-mail me.
bonniemichelle@optonline.net
Richard [aka: R&K]
Bonnie, you're a prime example of what's wrong. If you vest after ten years the 25 you've accrued WILL be affected. If you take the lump sum, you MAY be asked about the three years that appear blank on your earnings statement when you apply for SocSec. Your answer might determine whether the offsets apply.
Dan
Ronald Regan really put it to the Civil Service Retired worker By passing the GOP AND WEP. He didn't want double dippers. However we paid into the ss before our government jobs and continue to pay ss with the jobs we have after retirement. So repeal this law and just give us what we paid for. It shouldn't be that difficult. Or stop taking ss taxes out of out wages and give back in a lump sum what we paid into ss. After all it's our earned money. If the shoe were on the other foot this law wouldn't have been passed in the first place. The Government can tell you how much money you can make after you retire but they can't control the price of a gallon of GAS.
L. Newbury
I have been a teacher for 40 years and am about to retire. My Social Security benefits will be cut more than half without this bill. I paid into SS and I paid into teacher retirement--without any choice on my part. I deserve to get the full amount of my SS benefits.
Jim
The GPO was a provision in the 1977 Social Security Amendments signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, at a time when the Democrats controlled both the House and Senate. The provision originated in the Senate Finance Committee, then chaired by Sen. Russell Long (D-LA). House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Al Ullman (D-OR) pushed through an amendment in the House to provide a five-year transition period so that the GPO was not effective until 1982. Subsequent amendments changed the effective date to 1983
Jim
President Reagan signed the amendments into P.L. 98-21 on April 20, 1983.
James III
My late father-in-law had a
great saying that I loved.
" If I'm gonna get screwed
I wanna get kissed first!"
We need another "Roosevelt"
in November 08 ! Vote Republican
and you might as well start
puckering up.....
Willie D Smith
The reason the government does not want to pay the benefits is they have taken all the money out of social security by borrowing it and not paying it back.
Willie D Smith
All of us should also consider supporting HR 149. This bill would REPEAL THE SOCIAL SECURITY EARNINGS TEST. IT TAXES YOUR INCOME TWICE. WHEN YOU APPLY THERE IS A 25% REDUCTION IN BENEFITS, A 12,960 LIMIT ON EARNINGS, AND A 50% BACKED ENDED TAX. ADD THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FICA TAXES AND THE TAX COULD GO UP TO A 100% MARGINALLY.
Robert Van Istendal
I worked as a fire fighter for 24 years until a building collapsed and buried me and shortened my career, I did not pay into social security during this time. But after recovering from my injuries I have driven a school bus for 19 years, which is 9 more than other people need to work in order to receive their full benefits, and I only receive 40% of what I should receive, even though I paid the full amount into social security, I was not charged only 40% paying into the system.
Someone else from a well to do family could live off their folks for most of their lives and then decide to work for only 10 years and they get full amount, Immigrants can come here and work only 10 years and get full amount and yet the Educators and the Police and Firefighters that protected your families cannot.
Just because we choose careers that help others and did not pay in during that time we should not be a penalized for that time .
Mary Causey
I also feel the recipient should get all Social Security benefits for which they are entitled. Gogernment pensons should not effect the Social Security benefits or Social Security should have any effect on pensions. Both have been earned through contributions.
Paul M. Petkovsek
This bill is a good start, but if Congress is really interested in making Social Security fair and better, they would have everyone participate and have equal benefits.
The great injustice at this time is that some public employees cannot participate in Social Security in their full time job, but will never collect on the moonlight jobs they work to make ends meet.
marge smithers
I also agree with the elimination of the GPO and WEP. My husband is ret military and has been paying i8n the Survivors Benefit Plan for almost 40 years, and it too, is offset with SS.
I think this too should be addressed. There is too many spouses left with very little money to survive on.
James III
Paul M. Pet--- above is misinformed
about the majority of "us" affected
by GPO & WEP. We "are not" moon
lighters. The majority have at least 10 qualifed soc. sec, years
(= 40 quarters) of full time work.
I had 26 years in the Calif. public
school system as well as "22 years
" of soc.sec. earnings. Many people
had long careers in the private
sector only to be negated by
"very unfair GPO & WEP provisions.
Happy Thanksgiving !!!
Joe
You will work until you die and you will like it.
MARY N.
THIS HAS TO BE CHANGED IT IS UNFAIR FOR PEOPLE TO WORK AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET THEIR MONEY THEY EARNED AND HAVE TO END UP ON STATE WELFARE, TO LIVE AND PAY FOR THE BARE THINGS SUCH AS FOOD, MEDS, AND A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD, LETS GET THE GOVERNMENT TO STOP DECRIMINATING AGAINIST HONEST HARD WORKERS.
Linda
I certainly agree with most of the comments above. Why should we as retired civil service PAID into to our retirement and PAID into ss be penalized. We worked for this all our lives private sector can draw full pensions and full ss but not in civil service status. I can't even collect my husbands ss but someone who has never worked ,not paid into the system, if married to {someone who has} for less than year can collect this is not right. This system needs to be looked at . This is not a fair act at all espically to the working class.
Joanne
I paid social security until my education agency was allowed to vote to go off social security, the non professionals voted to go off and that left us, the professionals without it also. Now I cannot collect benefits from my husband's social security. We were married 27 years and I did caregiving for him for 7 years and feel I deserve his social security. Also his first wife is drawing on his social security but I, who looked after him, am left out. Please pass this bill and give us our rightful social security.
Dianna Reusch
Much of my teaching career was at a private post-secondary school in Texas. I now live in Illinois and will retire through the State University Retirement System with less than the time required for full retirement benefits. It only makes sense that I receive the SS to which I am entitled to offset the less-than-full retirement through SURS.
Bill Chenoweth
I have read every one of these. While I don't mind saying it, you have thank the greatest Republican that ever lived for this one, at least that is what the Republicans seem to say and think. Who was that you might ask? Ronald Regan, the man who hated the civil service and one who hired WR Grace to help him do this.
Bill Chenoweth
Sorry,
I am so upset by this, I have to keep on adding to it. I listen to the all of the current candidates hoping to hear something positive about the Fairness Act, but nothing do I hear about this. Wouldn't be great to hear someone who is already on the scene in DC say and then do something positive about this, i.e., other than just signing up for it so that they can say that they are a co-signer.
Gary C
I need to know where presidential candidates stand on this issue!
Pat Woodward
WEP struck me by surprise when I retired. I had worked seven years as a teacher and 24 years for the State of California under Social Security. When I retired I applied for pensions from the Retired Teachers, from the State and from Social Security. My work under Social Security made me eligible for about $1200 per month from Social Security. But to my shock and dismay, the fact that I applied for the teacher’s pension, caused me to be penalized $300 and receive only $900 from Social Security. I can understand not receiving Social Security credit for the years when I taught and did not pay into the system, but to take money from me that I am entitled to due to my other work boggles my mind. I would have received the whole amount from Social Security if I had laid around the house for those seven years, but silly me, I taught science and math to teenagers instead, so that is why it is costing me $300 per month for the rest of my life.
James III
It's time for action ! You've read
all the "horror stories" about good
solid American citizens getting
screwed out of their "fully earned"
monthly Social Security benefit due
to GPO / WEP.
Nothing will change until "WE" change the make up of the Senate.
We do not have enought Democratic
seats to reach the "super majority"
of 60 votes to pass important
legislation. The Republicans blocked S-Chip Health care for
improvished kids ! They have no
soul !
Go to Moveon.org and click on
"end the Bush era 2008". Pledge
some money to get a Democratic
Senate in January 2009 to insure
passage of legislation to repeal
GPO /WEP. I have pledged $ 25.00
a month thru Oct 2009!
Vietnam Vet 67 - 68
Joeisme
And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.
The WEP was passed for the greater good of the country. My Social Security is decreased as a result of my years in government service where I did not contribut to SS but to a pension plan. I accept it as my patriotic duty. Of course, if it gets eliminated I will be happy to accept the extra money.
Hal Kershner
Why is it that my neighbor who just retired from the sheet metal trade gets to collect his full social security AND his Union Pension? Isn't that a windfall too??? So why are civil servants being penalized and singled out?? I have no idea. As a firefighter from a major city, in retirement I would have to live on 1/4 of my retired pension amount since I lost the other 1/4 in a divorce. My quarter pension plus the penalized amount of social security not only would put me in the poverty zone, but would also qualify me for food stamps. Unless we get a democratic president, I think this bill will die and never be signed by President Bush or a new Republican president.
R & K [01/08/2008]
The House Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Social Security will hold a hearing on the GPO/WEP and other Social Security issues on Wednesday, January 16, at 10 a.m., at the Longworth House Office Building, room 1100.
MORE AS I GET IT!
Douglas Silva
This bill brings fareness to all of us who have paid into social security for many years. Well over the time proposed for illegals. Please return our money to us to cope with the raising cost of living. Why am I being punished for serving in law enforcement.
Texas Educator
I worked for 15 years in the private sector, paying into social security, then I was a stay at home mom for 10 years. I have taught for 17 years now paying into my state retirement fund, but not SS. If I had not taught I would be eligible for benefits from both my husband's SS and my own. My husband is disabled and 12 years older than I. I will probably be alone for the last 20 years of my life, trying to live only on a small teacher retirement check and NO survivors benefits. I have let my children know to NEVER become a school teacher - both the state and our federal government has no respect for educators.
willis
why can't those of us in affected states file a class action suit against the state government? Surely there's a provision for a state's interference in the distribution of federal funds....any attorney's out there??
R & K [01/19/2008]
Folks, you might serve yourself a lot better by going to > and providing a submission for the record.
R&K, again
The link got striped out. Cut and paste this into your browser. http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=603&comm...
... and again
That may not work, either. If your interested - and you should be - "Google" House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Social Security. Go to Committee Hearings and select 110th Congress. Then open the 1-16-2008 Hearing.
James III
A point " to ponder". Just remember
there are thousands of baby boomers
turning "62 years old this year!"
Boomers were born between 1946 - 1964 and the first group ( 1946)
many of whom have trotted into their local Social Security office
( in the 14-15 affected GPO /WEP
states) only to be informed that
they are getting screwed out of
their "FULLY EARNED" soc. sec.
benefits. Many will be hitting this
website to complain. Complaining
will dissipate "with the wind!"
Get involved ! Follow the suggestions of Larry and Karen and
others! Rattle your Senator or
Rep/s office !!!! Power is in "OUR"
hands and VOTES !!!!
Mill
Hillary Clinton does NOT support the Social Security Fairness Act 2007.
suzie teacher
I really hope that somehow that Social Security can be given fairly to all of those who rightfully deserve it. If you paid into it, you should get your fair share out of it, and not just 40%!!! My husband and I both lose...that's 80%!
Monique Lexus
I worked in the private sector for 10 years before going into State of LA employment. I paid into the State Retirement System 2.5% of my salary and after 27 years I had to retire early and move to GA to take care of a sick immediate family member. I lost out on so much of my retirement monies due to this move and leaving state government. I get only $1,000 a month retirement before taxes/medical insurance. I have to work multiple full time jobs for the last 8 years paying into S/S. And now I am up the Dick's Creek without a paddle if I don't get a full amount of S/S that I would if I had worked 28 additional years compared to only 18 years with S/S. I will either live in a cardboard box under the Interstate or I will die at my desk. There is no justice for us who have given so much to governmental employment. "I want MY fair share" and to be treated as a human being who has supported the laws of the land.
wgg
Take action! Be heard! Go to this site which has email links to important Senators. Form letter available on site too. Email them all the form letter or personal letter in support of S. 206
http://peoria.k12.il.us/parta/legislation.htm#Legislative_Update
Dave R.
I am certainly glad that I was sufficiently forsighted, knowing my Government as I do, and knew full well that you would find a way to short me on my SS pension. While I could be enjoying the much better life that I so diligently worked for, earned and in my opinion deserve, I am surviving given that the recession does not last more than six months and no unexpected expenses develop. If not intelligent you are consistent.
John B.
Our legislators have dipped into the Social Security Trust Fund for numerous PET projects over the years. We're now paying the price as they try to slice-and-dice benefits to reduce outlays. Anyone who's paid in should receive their fair benefits regardless what they do in the workplace. Either repeal these onerous penalties or offer these folks a lump-sum rolled over into a ROTH IRA.
R&K 1/25/08 [aka:Richard & Karen]
Is this enough to motivate y'all to CALL, FAX, WRITE, and PESTER the LIVING C*** out of your legislators?
Read On: Senators Consider Rebates for Retirees
Friday, January 25, 2008 6:37 PM EST
The Associated Press
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Retirees living off Social Security are frustrated that they won't get tax rebate checks through a bipartisan economic stimulus package before the House.
james prault
Let's see about my "windfall". When I retired, my health ins. was $430 a month for myself and my wife. My pension has risen about 20% over the years. My health ins.has risen over 250% to close to $1,100 per month. What does my Illinois state teacher's pension have to do with the federal gov't social security program? It appears to me to mean that when our elected officials do not live up to their responsibilities, they attempt to fix it on our backs!
Mill
Hillary Clinton does NOT support the Social Security Fairness Act 2007 ... John Edwards and Obama Do support this act.
Julie
I was divorced at 55 (couldn't quite compete with a 38 year old). Picked myself up and got a job in municipal government. Just found out that because I get a pension from the government ( a few hundred dollars) my social security (well over $1,000) benefit is largely lost. Don't we want 55 year old women to pick themselves up? I'll have to work until I'm over 70 to equal what I lost.
Martha Blackwell
I'll be 80 years of age in April, 2008. I still teach part time at a Community College. My S S benefit is decimated by both the GPO and WEP because of my very small California Teacher's pension. cannot get my own or my spouse benefits.
I have written letters, sent e-mails, submitted my situation to all the Hearings, and signed every petition that has anything to do with these penalties. I'm wondering what it will take.
Senators Obama and Clinton have signed on as sponsors of S-206. One new sponsor was added to HR82 in January, so perhaps there is hope?
What is the matter with AARP? I have canceled my membership because they do not sponsor the repeal of these penalities. Mind boggling.
Geri Longfellow
I do not understand how a country can penalize the working people and reward those who refuse to work and commit crimes. The working person should receive the reward they EARNED. Where does the money go that is denied to the working person. Our representatives should care for the working person.
Robert Barker / Barack Obama
Dear Robert: 6/5/2007
Thank you for contacting me with your opposition to the GPO/WEP.
S.206, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2007, would correct the inequities that the GPO/WEP creates for many Illinois retirees. I am pleased to inform you that I am a cosponsor of this legislation.
S. 206 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. While I do not serve on that panel, I will urge my colleagues to consider this important legislation.
Robert, thank you once again for writing. Please stay in touch in the future.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator
Jane
I will be retiring in Sept 2008 from the Postal Service with 28 yr and 4 Months of service. I have 14 years in Social Security. I am entitled to this money. 30% is what I will receive, if lucky. Why are we paying a penalty for investing in the USA. The interested was paid on our money in Civil Service and in Social Security. I do not feel we should be classified as double dippers. Help pass this bill.
Dorothy
The GPO is UNFAIR. It penalizes those people who have dedicated their lives to educating the youth of our country and have been willing to work for low wages. Please eliminate the GPO so that retired teachers can receive a decent retirement and not be below the poverty level.
Rita
After 20yrs. of risking my life as a Police Officer for the Politicians & citizens I will be hurt by not receiving all my SS. I've worked since I was 16yrs old put in all my quarters & then some & the people we protect are taking away OUR money. It's my money that was put into it & not anyone else.
Linda
My husband and I both worked in industry and under social security for 21 yrs & 23yrs respectively. Both of our employers closed in the 1980's. We depleted our savings and accumulated a good deal of debt while searching for other employment. We now hope to retire soon after having eachworked 20+ yrs in public employment. We cannot accumulate enough years of service to receive full retirement pay under public employment and we will lose 2/3 of the funds we paid into social security.
Joan C.
I worked and paid into social security from the time I was 13 years of age. After finishing my education, I became an educator and worked as such for over 25 years. My pension is below the poverty level and when I am eligible in the next year or so for social security, I will only receive about 30-40 percent of what I have worked for all of my life. We need to take care of our seniors who have worked hard all of their lives and tried to plan as best as they were able for their later years.
Roy C.
I paid into SS for 21 years. At the age of 40 I went into teaching in the state of CA. During my 20 years of teaching I paid into the teachers retirement system. However, about one year before I retired I found out I would not be entitled to my full SS entitlements because of being a teacher in CA. When I retired from teaching, I selected an option(at a monthly cost of $300 per month)so that my wife would continue to receive my retirement check when I die. Now I find out that when she starts receiving my teaching retirement, her SS will be reduced. At this time she only receives $555 per month for SS. For my wife's sake I hope S. 206 will pass before I die.
Janet C
They argue back and forth that there is not money to support this. Look at the money they make off "taxes" on retirement earnings. A one-time transfer of funds of $69 million would give us all $2000 $3000 a month over and above what we are receiving. A one time transfer--going back into the fund. I find it hard to believe 69 million US citizens are being placed into a welfare state of living. This is not a recession, it is permanent. There is no way the US can be anything but a Welfare, 3rd world country, with retirements of less than people actually receiving welfare benefits. It is simple, the US government trashed your "investment" in support of the government. Almost all women's contributions are trashed. Only the male benefits are payable--except when considering "inheritable" rights reserved to states. The US government pre-empts these rights.
R&K to Roy C 2/22/08
re: Now I find out that when she starts receiving my teaching retirement, her SS will be reduced.
I don't believe that's so. One of the ironies of these disgusting offsets is that your wife should still be entitled to 1/2 of your TRS, if you preceed her in passing, with no impact on her SocSec.
Louis Ramirez
I am a decorated Vietnam veteran, worked many years in the aerospace industry, and now a community college instructor because I wanted to give back to my community but am penalized because of the offset and windfall.
Debra
I worked for 30 years in the private sector. I paid my SSI taxes. My husband served his country as a Navy Seal. Why should we be penalized because Started a second career as a teacher in the public school system. Why should he not get my benefits should be survive me? i agree with one of the writers above - you don't see any of our congressmen and senators or other government officials taking a cut in benefits for any reason.
Mark M.
I have worked all my adult life to include a time in the U.S. Army. During these years I contriubted a significant amout of money to Social Security. I became a civil service police officer and now that I am nearing the end of my career I cannot access the benefits I should be allowed to receive. I have all ready earned enough quarters to collect. This was completly separate from my 30 year career. I don't want some thing for nothing I worked for it and in post retirement, plan to continue working to keep up with rocketing costs.
If the Government wants to give the benefits to the lame, lazy and the illegals, just give me back what I contributed and I will just keep on working and invest what is mine.
Mark M.
Gwynn H.
I like everyone on this page would like to be able to get what I feel I deserve from social security. At this point I am working to pay for my health insurance. I have my 40 quarters, in but as some here, I am unable to retire because of the WEP offset. I have worked in a public school that did not take out social security, and I have worked in the private sector that did. Please fix this problem for us so that we can have some piece of mind.
Bob M
Just another law to make it hard on seniors.
Otto
I agree with everything that is said on this page. Does anyone know when they are going to vote on act. As far as I'm concerened the sooner the better
JFR
Restoring fundamental fairness by ending the mean-spirited WEP/GPO slap at public employees would add only 1-1/3% annually to the Social Security benefit outlay, which is a microscopic amount in the federal budget.
Florence Blay
I was employed for 7 years by San Bernardino County & hence receive a pension from them. The kicker: they did not pay into Social Security so it is a dollar for dollar deduction from the social sec. to which I am entitled. I would have been better off now had I NOT worked those 7 years!!! Is this fair or right? HELP!!!
DL Meadows
My husband was a teacher for about 20 years and a pastor for some years. Because of that his SS payment is less than $200! We also have to consider that they may have the right to lower my SS as well becuase of his situation. I cannot understand this unfair practice! Yes, HELP!!
James III
As predicted more and more "boomers" (born -1946 -1964)
will reach retirement age this
year and well into the future.
You want HELP ? Get involved !
Write, phone, email your Senator
or Representative and register
your " strong displeasure" with
the WEP / GPO. R & K ( Richard
and Karen) have several prior
posting with good suggestions.
Go back and read them. I have
emailed many Senators and Reps.
pressuring them to support
passage of HR. 82 and S. 206.
THEY are hearing us ! Go to
Moveon.org and donate money to
change the composition of the
"house" and "Senate" to a
"progressive majority!" Do not
think that the "neo-con "
Republicians will help...they
won't !!!
Vietnam Vet 67 - 68
DAVIS
I HEARD ON A RADIO INTERVIEW WITH LA. CONGRESSMAN RODNEY ALEXANDER SAID THAT THEIR WAS A SS SURPLUS AND THEY WERE TRYING TO PASS AN ADMENDMENT TO STOP THE USING OF THE SURPLUS FOR THE WAR,STIMULUS
PACKAGES FOR WHATEVER BUT IT WAS VOTED DOWN SO MY FRIENDS THEY DON'T WANT US TO HAVE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS .
SteveNJ
Are you people kidding me? Ask the gov why they used up the SS money? Ask them how they had been able to even do it legaly. Ask them why the value of the $$$ is so low.
You wont get an answer. Ill give you one. The Federal Reserve diluted our $. The $ has no real worth. We need to destroy the money monopoly and back our $ with something real again. Its what made this country in the first place.
R & K aka: Richard & Karen
As James III says, "You want HELP? Get involved!" Call the Congressional Switchboard at 202/224-3121 and ask for Sen. Kerry's office. Ask the clerk what's happening w/S.206. Then say you support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2007 and request that Sen. Kerry move the bill out of committee and on to the Senate floor for debate. You'll be asked your name and where your from. Then, call the number again and ask for the office of Congressman McNulty. Ask what's happening w/H.R.82. Then say you support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2007 and request that Rep. McNulty move the bill out of committee and on to the House floor for debate. You'll be feeling pretty good by now so call the number again and again asking to be connected to each member of congress for YOUR state and tell them that you support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2007. After a rest, why not report your experience on this forum.
R&K [03/10/08]
PS: Be sure to ask the members of Congress from your state that you call, "What are you doing to move The Social Security Fairness Act of 2007 out of committee and onto the floor for debate?"
Jay Edgar
We need to substantially cut the size of the federal government, use it to fund social security while giving young people the option to opt out. Social security is a ponzi scheme that needs to be phased out while protecting retiree benefits.
[03/20/08]
~ To-say-the-least, we're UNDER WHELMED by the number of folks that have reported their experiences after calling the Congressional Switchboard. Wonder what that tells us. ~
Judy
I taught school in a social security contributing state for 11 years plus owned my own business for several years. I have 15 years of significant earnings on social security. After moving to Missouri and two years into my teaching job, I learned that if I become vested in the Missouri Retirement System I will lose 60% of the Social Security I paid the first 15 years. Problem is, I am 55 and will not be able to teach long enough to produce a significant retirement income in this new system. It's too late to start all over (almost) on a new retirement plan! What were they thinking when they created such a law??? Now my delima is to sell my house and leave a job I love or stay and hope this gets repealed?? What a horrible situation.
John
Some version of this bill has been around since 2001. The democrats took control of the Congress in 2007 and nothing is happening with the new House or Senate bills. I guess both parties don't care about hard working people that are caught in this catch 22 situation because of a relocation or a carrer change. I changed careers at 45 after 28 years in the private sector and went in teaching only to find out that I lost 75% of my social security due to this injustice they call WEP and GPO. I have written to every chairmen and committe member since 2002 and still they do nothing. I will not vote for any candidate or party that does not bring this issue to a vote in this years session. THe democrats are all talk and no action and the republicans are anti working class. What a great country. They would rather spend 3 trillion on Iraq over the next 20 years than help their own citizens. Makes you proud to be an American.
Judy
Bonnie, I read somewhere that if you pull out "before you become vested" the wep/GPO will not apply to you. I believe it says you have to "qualify" for a state pension and if you pull out before vested you will never qualify for one. (that's what I intend to do, I have 3 more years before I'm vested and looking for a teaching job now in another state) I can't remember where I read that, but I did. Don't take my word, but if you research through google or yahoo you may can find the answer.
Barbara
Please help support this bill so that all of us won't end up poor. The Winfall Elimination Act is an act of Malice and is an Entrapment for those working before the Act was passed. It should only apply to those working, effective after the Act was passed and not reach back and entrapment a hanful of the Baby Boomers who have already worked hard, had high hopes for retirement, and earned their 100% Social Security benefits.
Elizabeth, Ohio
This is for Federal Government Employees. The Winfall Elimination Act should not apply to Civil Service Retirees (CSR) at all. It should only apply to the FERs employees. I do not believe congress gave this much thought. There is a handful of us under the CSR plan who also have 40 quarters paid into Social Security. These people have earned their living fair and square and should not be cheated by the system because any system who can pay someone for not working with Social Security money, should be able to pay someone who did work. I hope this Act gets over turned and the government find another way to decrease the amount paid out of Social Security. We people are suffering.
Gail W.
I can repeat the sentiments of the majority of what I have just read on these pages. I am retired Fed. My spouse paid into the SS system. He passed away unexpectedly and because I am retired under the CSRS system I receive only $9.00 per month surv. benefit. I want to know what is going on NOW. Are these bills still sitting in Committee ??? and when is this going to go forward. I have wrote letter(s) to my appropriate congressman and the responses I get is to tell me they support the proposals and that they are now in committees for further review (I ALREADY KNOW THAT). I am tired of hearing 3 mo/6 mo/2 yr old news. Something needs to happen to force these issues forward NOW. We need some POSITIVE results. I also paid in to the SS system besides being a fed CSRS retiree but cannot collect a penny.
Brandt
Why are the congress wating till we die. to pass this bill. also discrimating against us on the stimules package. How do they expect us to live???
K Brown
Does anyone know when bills HR82 and S206 will be brought out of committee?
R&K [05-21-08]
Dear K Brown. Why not call the Congressional Switchboard at 202/224-3121 and ask for Sen. Kerry's office. Ask the clerk what's happening w/S.206. Then say you support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2007 and request that Sen. Kerry move the bill out of committee and on to the Senate floor for debate. You'll be asked your name and where you’re from. Then, call the number again and ask for the office of Congressman McNulty. Ask what happening w/H.R.82. Then say you support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2007 and request that Rep. McNulty move the bill out of committee and on to the House floor for debate. You'll be feeling pretty good by now so call the number again and again asking to be connected to each member of congress for YOUR state and ask them “what are you doing to move The Social Security Fairness Act 0f 2007 out of committee and onto the floor for debate?
R&K [cont]
.....and K Brown, after a rest, I hope you will report your experience[s] on this forum as motivation for others to do the same.
Respectfully,
Richard E
Gail W
5/21/08
fyi: thought I would let everyone know I just hung up from calling Senator Kerrys office. I was referred to Senator Baccus' office. I called his office. I was told several things - #1, the bill was sent to the finance committee. I stated "I thought that occurred about a year ago" The person I was talking to said "yes" that was OLD info. and then went on to say that the bill is still sitting in committee and that she could not see that any action was scheduled at this time. I requested that it be moved out of committee and to the Senate floor for debate. She told me that I need to keep calling/writing my local reps. Feel like I was led around in a circle. Back to more calls and letters.
Josh
Social Security is for people who are lazy. If the disabled, survivors, or the elderly want good benefits they should find themselves a job like everyone else. Social Security is the cause of the falling economy and the US dollar. Tell your senator to oppose this bill and put a stop to Social Security. America would be better off if we didn't have Social Security in the first place.
John Caudy
I am a retired police officer. I have be