Articles about Social Security that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees
New York Times
Editorial Board
The trustees of Social Security recently reported that the retirement system can pay full benefits until 2035, when it will be able to pay about three-fourths of promised benefits. That is not a crisis. It is a manageable problem.
WEP/GPO Compromise Sought
MAY 2013 VOICE: As President Obama and Congressional Leaders search for a means to address the current budget deficit and America’s long-term debt, the prospects of a potential “grand bargain” between the White House and Congressional Republicans continues to loom.
H.R.1795 Introduced In 113th Congress
May 1, 2013: Congressmen, from different states and political parties, have joined together to hopefully correct a longstanding problem that they share in common – and with us here – namely, Social Security’s oppressive Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
By Josh Hicks
Washington Post
April 8, 2013
Warren Opposes Chained CPI
MARCH 1, 2013: On the day when federal sequestration took effect and with a major retiree healthcare reform bill now pending on Beacon Hill, Association officials wrapped up the week by participating in two important forums: A conference call with Massachusetts’ Senior Senator and participating in the AFL-CIO’s Leadership Conference.
Association Pushes WEP/GPO Inclusion
FEBRUARY 2, 2013: This past week, the Association took part in the annual National Conference of Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) Legislative Conference held in Washington, D.C. While a variety of pension, healthcare and Social Security issues were discussed, one issue was on the top of our agenda – WEP & GPO.
The following letter was co-authored by Eric Kingson and Nancy Altman, co-chairs of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition, and sent to every Congressional office.
Our coalition of 320 organizations representing a broad cross-section of the American people respectfully urges you to reject the use of the less-generous and less-accurate chained-CPI as the basis for Social Security's cost of living adjustments for current and future seniors, people with disabilities, and other beneficiaries.
JANUARY 4, 2013: For years, Social Security has stressed the convenience, security, and safety of getting benefit payments electronically. Soon, direct deposit (or Direct Express) will not only be the best way to receive Federal benefit payments -- it will be the only way.
That's because the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a new rule that will phase out paper checks for Federal benefit and non-tax payments by March 1, 2013.
Here is how the transition will work.
Members’ Frustration Grows
NOVEMBER 2012 VOICE: After more than a decade of starts and stops in the effort to repeal both the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), Association members impacted by one or both of the laws have grown understandably frustrated.
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.
