January 10, 2025: If you read our special email blast last Sunday evening, have been following social media reports, or even have followed the mainstream news over the past week, then you likely know that the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws have been repealed.
President Joe Biden signed HR82, the Social Security Fairness Act, into law at White House ceremony on Sunday evening. I am so grateful to have had the honor of being present at the White House to represent our Association at this historic event, as well as to have had the opportunity to speak with President Biden 1-1 and thank him on behalf of our members.
As you may know, Mass Retirees was amongst the first organizations to focus on WEP/GPO when the laws were first created in April of 1983. And I spent 30 years of my professional life as the Association’s point person on federal issues, advocating for these laws to end. All of us are incredibly relieved and thankful to have helped to finally brought an end to these very unfair and unjust federal laws that harmed millions, by denying retirees the ability to collect your full Social Security benefit.
As President Biden wryly said, this is a “really big deal!”
On behalf of everyone here at Mass Retirees, I’d like to thank those members who have taken the time to call, email, or write to us over these past couple of weeks. Your heartfelt messages have been humbling, to say the least. On a personal note, I have tried to reply to as many members as possible. If I am not able to get back to you, I apologize. Please know how much I appreciate your kind words. All of us are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve our members.
Now that the Social Security Fairness Act is law, the Social Security Administration has begun the tedious process of revising benefits for nearly 3 million current retirees – including public, postal, and railroad retirees – amongst others – who had their Social Security benefit either reduced by the WEP or reduced/eliminated by the GPO. Understandably, the process of updating benefits will take several months to complete.
At this point, there are far more questions about the implementation process than answers. If you are impacted, we ask for your patience while the process takes place.
The following information was posted by Social Security this past Monday:
The Social Security Fairness Act, HR 82, concerning the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, was signed into law on January 5, 2025. Upon implementation, the Social Security Fairness Act eliminates the reduction of Social Security benefits while entitled to public pensions from work not covered by Social Security. The Social Security Administration is evaluating how to implement the Act. We will provide more information as soon as available.
I previously filed for Social Security benefits and they are partially or completely offset.
At this time, you do not need to take any action except to verify that we have your current mailing address and direct deposit information if it has recently changed. Most people can do this online with their personal my Social Security account without calling or visiting Social Security. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to sign in or create your account. We will provide ongoing updates regarding implementation on this page.
I have not previously filed for Social Security benefits.
If you are receiving a public pension and are interested in filing for benefits, you may file online at ssa.gov/apply or schedule an appointment.
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Both Congressman Richie Neal (D-MA) and US Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have vowed to work closely with SSA in advocating from prompt implementation of the new repeal law. Collins chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, while Neal remains ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee – which has direct oversight over Social Security. We will keep members well informed of all developments related to implementation as they occur.
As a supporter of HR82 and full repeal, President-elect Trump is expected to allow for quick action and a smooth implementation process. Trump’s public support for HR82 during the final days of the Senate debate helped to lock down Republican support, as well as prevent Senate GOP leaders from using parliamentary maneuvers to derail the bill.
When it comes to the passage of this law, there are countless people to thank. Throughout this 41-year ordeal, Mass Retirees has worked closely with advocates, retiree organizations, and public employee unions – here in Massachusetts and around the country. Countless more have done their part on their own to help get a bill passed.
While there is plenty of credit and thanks to go around, we have tended to focus directly on those with whom we have worked hand-in-hand with throughout the years. Tim Lee and his Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) are at the top of that list. Here at home, both MassCop and the Professional Firefighters of MA (PFFM)are groups who have walked the halls of Capitol Hill with us.
In addition to Mass Retirees, several Massachusetts public employee unions were represented at the White House on Sunday. Leaders from AFSCME Council 93, AFT MA, and the MTA were present. In fact, the very first WEP/GPO meeting I attended in Washington, DC in the mid-90s was organized by the national AFSCME union and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). In recent years, Council 93 has been very active in support of HR82.
AFT MA’s Boston Teachers Union has long been a close ally on these issues. In fact, Association President Frank Valeri and I hand delivered a letter from the BTU to then House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) urging him to find a way to compromise on WEP/GPO. Due to the lack of Republican support for full repeal at the time, much of the focus during the 2010’s was on developing a compromise reform proposal to bring temporary relief to retirees while a larger repeal bill was worked on.
Beyond all the official groups and organizations from around the country, it was the persistence of individual retirees, from here in MA and around the country, who are the real unsung heroes. I know that many of you reading this message have personally contacted your federal officials. That direct grassroots advocacy made every bit of difference! Thank you for never giving up, despite the setbacks along the way.
Speaking of grassroots advocates, one highlight of the White House ceremony was being able to meet Pam Alexandroff from the National WEP & GPO Repeal Movement. Pam was the public face of the Facebook-organized group that now includes more than 52,000 members from the across the country. Her tireless volunteer work played a big role in the success of HR82.
At the end of the day, this law was passed because the stars aligned after more than 41 years of collective advocacy work across the country. No one person or organization could have passed such a large bill alone. We were all in this together, working in a non-partisan manner, to achieve a major win for nearly 3 million retirees across the country.
Our Association is now producing a special edition of our newsletter The Voice, to properly report on this historic moment, explain how it happened, and give thanks to those who have helped our members along the way. Our hope is to have it in your hands by early February.
What comes next?
Now that WEP/GPO are now more, what will we focus on next? In the spirit of our founder and former President Ralph White, who was a decorated combat Marine, we’re immediately focused on the next fight. While a major battle has been won, the war still rages on!
Of immediate concern is the ongoing work to improve the COLA benefit, as well as what lies ahead in terms of retiree and public employee health insurance – to name just two key issues.
The Special COLA Commission, which our Association helped initiate last year, is currently underway after having its inaugural meeting in December. Frank Valeri serves on the commission, holding the only retiree/employee seat. As President of Mass Retirees and as an elected member of the State Retirement Board, Frank is perfectly suited to represent the interests of all public retirees.
Due to report its findings in the first half of 2025, the Special COLA Commission is tasked with recommending improvements to the COLA base and the creation of a new senior or enhanced COLA for career public employees who have been retired longer than 15 years, as well as developing methods in which to fund and pay for new COLA benefits.
Our hope is that the work of the Commission will lead to an increased COLA base for retired State Employees and Teachers, whose COLA base has been stuck at $13,000 since 2012. At the local level, where the COLA base is determined by the local retirement board and local legislative body, the work of the Commission will help provide new methods to fund COLA base increases. This will make it easier for local systems to advance the COLA base.
In terms of healthcare, these next three months are a pivotal time for public retiree and active employee health insurance. As you know, we have grown increasingly concerned about health insurance costs and the impact on overall healthcare affordability.
The best health care in the world is useless if people cannot afford to access that care!
Next Thursday (1/16), the state’s Group Insurance Commission will meet to review plan design options for Fiscal Year 2026. A key part of plan design are out-of-pocket costs (OPC) – AKA copayments and deductibles. We are now in the 7th consecutive year of relative stability when it comes to plan design and OPC under the GIC. Copayments and the non-Medicare deductible have gone largely unchanged over that period. Our hope is that FY26 will prove to be no different.
However, with the GIC publicly cautioning that the plans face a possible double digit premium increase for the coming fiscal year, we are concerned that plan design changes might become a possibility. While we are confident that the GIC leadership will continue to do everything possible to mitigate cost increases and not cost shift, outside forces could force their hands.
Given what is at stake for public retirees, health care will continue to be a major focus of our daily work. As GIC and health plan officials are aware, we pledge to do our part in working together to gain control over healthcare costs and prevent detrimental plan design changes and unaffordable cost increases.
Finally, next Friday (1/17) is our first membership meeting for 2025. If you live in the area, please come by and say hello. Given our recent success in repealing WEP/GPO, there is reason to celebrate!
Tewksbury Area Meeting
Friday, January 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM
Tewksbury/Wilmington Elks Lodge #2070
770 South Street
Tewksbury, MA 01876
With great appreciation,
Shawn
Shawn Duhamel
Chief Executive Officer
Mass Retirees Association
PS: If you have been forwarded this email and are a retired Massachusetts public employee, but not a member of the Mass Retirees Association, please join us today!