November 25, 2007

The Senate Finance Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy held a hearing on the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) on Tuesday, November 6. Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) held the hearing to review current Social Security policies. Witnesses included:

• The Honorable Susan Collins; United States Senator (R-ME)
• Margaret Kane; Retired Teacher; Medford, MA
• Barbara D. Bovbjerg; Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO); Washington, DC
• Priya Mathur; Board of Administration Member of CalPERS, AFSCME Local 3993; Sacramento, CA
• Lawrence Thompson; Senior Fellow, Urban Institute; Washington, DC

The witnesses provided information on current legislative pending in Congress to address the issue, and on the impact the provisions have on public retirees.  Testimony from the hearing can be found on the Finance Committee's Web site.

September 21, 2007

ACTE has been following the two Social Security Act amendments that negatively impact thousands of CTE educators. Although there has not been any movement on the Social Security Act, there is talk that the House Committee on Ways and Means may hold a hearing on the law late this year.

The amendments that negatively impact ACTE members are the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision. Both of these amendments have the potential to reduce or eliminate benefits that public employees or their spouses have earned and are expecting in retirement.

ACTE is urging all members to visit the National Education Association’s action center to see if your Representative or Senator has agreed to cosponsor the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82/S. 206) which would repeal the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Provision, ensuring that CTE educators receive the retirement benefits they are entitled.

ACTE is a member of the Coalition to Assure Retirement Equity (CARE) and is working closely with this group to track all movement of the Social Security Act and the Social Security Fairness Act. Please sign the National Education Association’s petition to support the Social Security Fairness Act.

February 14, 2007

In the House of Representatives, bill H.R. 82 (Social Security Fairness Act), which would repeal the GPO and the WEP, has gained the support of over 200 bi-partisan cosponsors. In the Senate, bill S. 206 (Senate version of the Social Security Fairness Act), has over 15 bi-partisan cosponsors. 

On February 6, 2007, Representatives Berman (D-CA), McKeon (R-CA), and Doggett (D-TX) held a press conference to call for the repeal of the GPO and WEP amendments in the Social Security Act. During this press conference, Rep. McKeon said, “These two provisions must be completely repealed so that our nation’s most dedicated public servants can receive, in full, the Social Security benefits that they have rightfully earned throughout the course of their careers.” Read Rep. McKeon's statement for additional information.

The National Education Association has spent countless hours following this issue closely. Together with NEA, ACTE and the Coalition to Assure Retirement Equity will continue to fight for benefits that are entitled to public employees.