Members:
By a vote of 327-75, the US House of Representatives has passed legislation fully repealing the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws. These existing laws greatly reduce or eliminate the amount of Social Security benefits members of the fire service and other public employees receive even though they may have paid into or continue to pay into Social Security. The laws have the largest effect on only 10 states, including Massachusetts.
The Bill, HR82, now heads to the US Senate for further action. This historic vote in the House marks the first time that the issues of WEP/GPO have made it to the House floor since the laws were first passed in 1983. The bipartisan show of support for public retirees is the result of decades of advocacy by retirees, the IAFC, the IAFF, and countless others from across the country who have had their Social Security benefits unfairly reduced or eliminated, especially those that worked a second job during their career.
We deeply appreciate the support and commitment of all nine members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to end both the WEP and GPO. We now ask you to call on Senators Warren and Markey to help bring the bill to the floor of the US Senate for a vote prior to adjournment on December 20th, so that President Biden can sign the full repeal into law prior to Christmas. Their contact info is:
The Honorable Senator Elizabeth Warren https://www.warren.senate.gov/contact/shareyouropinion
The Honorable Senator Edward Markey
Please contact me with any questions.
Bill–
Chief William P. Scoble, Ret.
Government Affairs Director
617.759.5777