For years, APWU has been fighting to end the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which dramatically reduce the Social Security benefits of many retirees. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), is scheduled for a vote by the House Ways and Means Committee. The vote is an accomplishment for APWU’s long-running campaign to correct this injustice.
The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal the WEP, which penalizes many APWU retirees who receive a civil service pension but paid into Social Security in previous employment. It also repeals the GPO, which unfairly penalizes many spouses and widows with prior employment pensions.
This vote means that we are closer than ever to removing the GPO and WEP. However, we must continue fighting to make sure that the bill is voted out of committee with a bipartisan majority. That bipartisan majority is key to making sure it does not stall in the Senate, where it will likely need broad support to pass. Similarly, we must keep pressure on the House of Representatives to guarantee that the bill receives a floor vote before the end of the month.
It is more important than ever to let your member of Congress know that you support this bill. APWU is holding a National Day of Action to call House members on Tuesday, Sept 20. We encourage everyone to participate. Contact your representative by calling our legislative hotline at 844-402-1001 and urge them to support the Social Security Fairness Act.