Articles about Social Security that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees
Brady & Neal Seek Compromise With H.R. 6933
In a positive sign that blind partisanship can be set aside for the greater good of the country, new federal legislation was filed in the final days of September that, if passed, would mark the first step toward resolving the unfairness of the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) since the law’s creation in 1983.
It’s the latest effort by lawmakers to overhaul the “Windfall Elimination Provision," which affects benefits for thousands of state and local government employees around the U.S.
Congressional lawmakers are proposing bipartisan legislation they say would improve the fairness of Social Security for state and local government retirees by revamping a provision that can restrict benefits from the federal retirement program for some public workers.
Mass Retirees Addresses 300 Retirement Officials
SEPTEMBER 14, 2018: An important aspect of Mass Retirees’ advocacy efforts to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws is to educate the public, as well as policy makers, as to the unfairness and negative impact of the two federal laws.
Neal & Brady Push Bipartisan Effort
When gauging whether or not legislation may have a chance of advancing through Congress or the State Legislature, a telltale sign is the level of staff activity happening behind the scenes.
This spring brought a distinct uptick in activity surrounding the proposal to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) from a widespread network of organizations advocating for reform. Most importantly, the work was not limited to WEP reform advocates.
National Coalition Meets in DC
FEBRUARY 27, 2018: Key representatives from states impacted by the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) met in Washington, DC this week, as pressure to pass reform legislation continues to mount.
Mass Retirees joined key WEP reform ally, the 88,000 member-strong Texas Retired Teachers Association, for the annual meeting of the Coalition to Preserve Retirement Security. CPRS is a national organization of public retirement system and advocacy group officials from non-Social Security states.
Optimism Follows Budget Deal
Our office has been inundated with calls from anxious members seeking information on the fate of the Mass Retirees backed federal proposal to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). With a growing majority of members victimized by the WEP and losing thousands of dollars a year in Social Security benefits, it is no wonder that interest remains high.
Ways and Means Activity Continues
Amidst the work done to craft the tax reform package passed by the House of Representatives in November, their key Ways & Means Committee staff continue to quietly work to refine a proposal reforming the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).
Passage May Clear Path For WEP Reform
DECEMBER 21, 2017: Now that Congress has passed and President Trump has signed federal tax reform legislation into law, analysis is underway on what it means for retirees.
Impacted Retirees Urge Action
The nationwide effort to reform Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) has taken on a renewed sense of urgency, with impacted retirees renewing their calls for Congress to act during the current session.
Medicare Part B Also Expected To Rise
October 17, 2017: It’s now official. Just yesterday the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the 2018 COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) for Social Security beneficiaries will be 2.0%, starting with benefits paid this coming January. This 2% COLA will produce an average increase of $27 in monthly SS benefits next year.
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.
