Articles about Social Security that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees
Congress Caps 2021 Medicare Part B Premium
October 15, 2020: As just announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) this week, the benefits, payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries, will be increased by a 1.3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This COLA increase will begin on December 31, 2020.
The harm brought to nearly 2 million public retirees by the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is a serious problem that must be resolved. In Massachusetts alone, some 74,000 public retirees have had their Social Security benefit reduced by the WEP. The numbers grow every day as new retirees apply for Social Security.
Statement from House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal
Dear Mass Retirees:
National Advocacy Campaign Resumes
November 2020 Voice: Following six months in which the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis have commanded the full attention of the US Congress, the national advocacy campaign to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) has resumed in earnest.
September 2020: More than 3,400 reform bill H.R.4540 in retirees joined a live Tele-Town Hall event on June 24th to hear a first-hand update on activities in Washington, DC from Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield, MA). Of course, the main focus was news surrounding the ongoing efforts to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).
Dear Members,
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and enduring this difficult time as best as you can. Here at Mass Retirees, our staff is doing as well as can be expected. We are still working on your behalf, albeit remotely. If you need us, please call or email.
H.R.4540 Reaches 124 Cosponsors
February 11, 2020: Work to make reform of the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) a true nationwide issue is paying off. At this time,124 members of Congress now officially cosponsor H.R.4540.
By Robert Weisman, Boston Globe Staff
The nation’s Social Security program was designed with special concern for the least fortunate Americans, to keep them from sinking into poverty when they became too old to work.
But recent demographic changes have tilted the system against lower earners who claim Social Security benefits early, even as they’ve rewarded higher earners who claim benefits later, according to a Boston College report.
November 15, 2019: Together with the Texas Retired Teachers Association, we have created the Public Retirees Alliance – a national organization with the aim of passing Social Security WEP and GPO reform. We are focused on improving the lives of all public retirees – starting with the passage of H.R.4540. And we’re not sitting back waiting for others to act. Let’s #DoSomething and pass WEP reform!
100% Cosponsor H.R. 4540
OCTOBER 31, 2019: Support for federal legislation aimed at reforming the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) continues to rapidly grow. The bill, H.R. 4540, now has 46 official Congressional cosponsors – including all 9 Massachusetts’ members of Congress. In addition, 23 national and state-wide organizations have also endorsed the proposal.
Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 52,000 members as we continue the fight.
