H.R.1795 - Repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision
Public Comments (10,192)
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Mar 6th, 2017Someone from Cohasset, MN writes:
Husband retired from Civil Service and has been self-employed for many years. He pays 15 percent of his income as a self-employed contractor now. I have worked 30 years under Social Security. Because of GPO and WEP, he will not receive anything as a spouse or being self-employed even though he is paying in significantly. So not fair. -
Mar 5th, 2017Phyllis M. from Raleigh, NC writes:
If my husband dies before I do, my income will go down by 2/3rds. All because my own social security check is offset by the GPO/WEP (my check is a whopping $24 per month) and I receive nothing as a wife due to the offset as my husband never worked for the federal government. If he dies, I should receive around $1900 per month as a widow, however, SSA had told me, due to the offset I might receive $500 but probably not even that due to the offsets.REPORT COMMENTS
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Mar 5th, 2017Someone from Houston, TX writes:
I work as a teacher's aide in state of Texas.my income is About one third less than teachers. My trs pension is also about one third less.so why should I be penalized By the GPO.(cafeteria workers ; secretaries and etc.) So unfairREPORT COMMENTS
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Mar 5th, 2017Someone from Morgan Hill, CA writes:
Most government workers work in the private sector at some point in their lives. They should not be penalized for spending the majority of their career in public service. I am not asking for benefits from a system I did not pay into, just to be compensated for my years in the private sector like everyone else.REPORT COMMENTS
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Mar 3rd, 2017Someone from Grapevine, TX writes:
Please support this bill. My mother worked at my highschool as an attendance aid. Before that she worked at an insurance company near our house. She loses 2/3rds of her social security benefit because half her career was private sector and the other half public. It's not double dipping. Plus she didn't know this would happen until she retired to care for her own aging mother. Please stop reducing benefits that she earned.REPORT COMMENTS
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Mar 3rd, 2017Someone from Cape Coral, FL writes:
Why should I be punished just because I gave up 25 years of my life to protect and serve the people of my State.REPORT COMMENTS
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Mar 2nd, 2017Someone from Canyon Country, CA writes:
My husband paid into Social Security for almost 40 years. He continued working until age 62 so he could collect Social Security. My husband unexpectedly passed away after collecting 2 Social Security checks. I paid into Social Security but the last 15 years of my work were with LA County and I was forced to retire due to medical reasons. My Social Security benefit is reduced by WEP but that isn't my main concern. I am unable to collect Spousal Benefits due to GPO. My husband paid into Social Security for almost forty years, collects 2 checks and due to my pension(not even enough to pay bills) Social Security gets to keep all the money my husband paid in? According to his 2015 Statement he paid approximately $100,000 into Social Security and he worked until August 2016.REPORT COMMENTS
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Mar 2nd, 2017Someone from Pittsburgh, PA writes:
Unjust treatment that other pensioners don't get penalized for.REPORT COMMENTS
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Mar 2nd, 2017David S. from Oklahoma City, OK signed.
Mar 2nd, 2017Sharon S. from Oklahoma City, OK signed.
Mar 2nd, 2017Cheryl S. from Orient, OH writes:
I have worked as a municipal employee for nearly 22 years. In addition, I worked in the private sector for over 15 years. My late husband worked all his life and paid into Social Security the entire time. He was also a Retired Captain in the Army Reserves. Tragically, he died in August 2011 of leukemia. I will turn 66 years old in May and have started collecting my husband's Social Security. The WEP/GPO is keeping me from retiring any time soon, as Social Security will be cut by 2/3 when I start collecting my pension. I still have a mortgage, many bills and other debts remaining since my husband's untimely death. Passing H.R. 973 to repeal this 1983 rule would help me tremendously, along with millions of others who are baby boomers like myself. I am certain that each of you have family members, or even you, can be positively affected this bill passing. I implore you to consider the fact that, like my late husband, many paid into social security with the intent that they or survivors would reap the benefits of their hard work. In conclusion, repealing the WEP/GPO would be beneficial to those of us who either worked hard to earn social security or are survivors of those who did.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMar 1st, 2017Robin K. from Cranston, RI writes:
As a retired disabled line of duty RI law enforcement officer living on a small pension and small social security pension and suspended cola, this GPO is frightening. I already have an offset. Any more offsets would put out into the streets. I was awarded a law enforcement Purple Heart by the American Police Hall of Fame and elected to the Police Legion of the Purple Heart in recognition of the grievous injuries sustained while in the performance of duties as a law enforcement officer. I served my State and my COLA was suspended along with all of the other retirees. We cannot live or sustain life when our pensions continue to be continually reduced.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 28th, 2017PAM B. from Shawnee, KS writes:
Now it is......HR 1205 ! WIDOWS NEED HELP NOW! Kent Conrad and James Lockhart....think that Soc Security should be MORE FAIR to Widowed Women! Conrad thinks widowed women should GET THEIR OWN BENEFITS and 3/4 of their DECEASED SPOUSE'S BENEFITS! This model for Soc Sec would keep Widowed Women OUT OF POVERTY!!! REPEAL: WEP & GPO for Widowed Women WHO TEACH IN MISSOURI! Tell Congressmen to PASS: HR 973 & S 1651. OR....Time To Correct the MATH FOR WEP....per Kevin Brady's HR 711. Social Security Advisory Board should be publishing a POSITION PAPER on the GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET....and the harmful effects it causes for widows...by the end of this year! Just as BRADY has said...TIME TO CORRECT THE MATH FOR WEP...the SSAB....should be documenting that it's TIME TO CORRECT THE MATH FOR WIDOWS!!! WE EARNED AND DESERVE OUR SURVIVOR BENEFITS!!! I asked NEA lobbyist...Al Campos...questions about GPO....and he couldn't answer my questions !!! I have paid NEA union dues for 25 years! I need to know about the 60 months exemption for GPO. Supposedly...if you work the LAST 60 MONTHS...IN A POSITION THAT PAYS INTO SOC SECURITY...AND THE JOB IS IN THE SAME RETIREMENT SYSTEM....YOU CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM GPO . Has anyone tried this? What do you know about GPO....that I don't know ????? Oh----Pat Toomey (Penn) supports S 3303....but it would ONLY REPEAL...WEP & GPO....FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS. WHY DOESN'T S 3303...INCLUDE HARD-WORKING TEACHERS......ESPECIALLY WIDOWS ??????? There's suppose to be a law...that all new teachers in Missouri...are suppose to SIGN A PAPER....stating that the SCHOOL DISTRICT...has INFORMED THEM ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY...AND THE 2 LAWS....WEP & GPO. I just asked a NEW TEACHER....if she signed her paper....SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT! I personally don't think the LAW is being followed. I know NEA....NEVER TALKS ABOUT WEP & GPO!!! Whenever I tell someone about these 2 LAWS.....they don't believe me! My Fnancial Planner and Tax advisor....were completely unaware of WEP & GPO !!!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 28th, 2017Someone from Winchester, KY writes:
I'm embarrassed to tell friends and family from other states that in my home state of KENTUCKY, those of us who dedicate our lives to serving others for the betterment of our community, our STATE, our WORLD...are PENALIZED for doing so. I've worked from the time I was of age. I have a Master'suite degree and beyond from colleges in KY, paid for from my own pocket and have contributed to the economy of this state all my life. There are so many women I know, who have never worked a day or contributed to the economy in any format or fashion. However, they can draw social security benefits and I CANNOT. Where is the logic in that? The money I paid in prior teaching and all the money my husband has paid in, KY decides to give to others who have never worked, contributed, etc...instead of allowing it to go to me. WHY? Because I'm just a teacher, who paid for my own books, supplies and materials for 27 years to better educate the students in KY. I've spoken to and written MANY leaders in our state. I hope they listen and decide to stop the punishment for those of us who serve others. All you have to do is look at the list of professionals they choose to include. Maybe some of our leaders are seeing more clearly now!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 27th, 2017Theodore B. from Novato, CA writes:
So the work I did before becoming a teacher doesn't count? So the work I will likely do after teaching doesn't count? How un-American.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 25th, 2017Someone from Oklahoma City, OK writes:
GPO AND WEP are both so unbelievable and unfair that it is hard to imagine anything this unlawful is actually in existence. How can anyone retire if we are unable to even get the money we worked hard for? Please everyone write to your Congressman and ask for repeal of both GPO and WEP laws. Why is this even allowed?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 24th, 2017Mark K. from Neosho, MO writes:
Please end the unfair reduction of social security income because of WEP.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 24th, 2017Someone from Pomeroy, OH writes:
I'd be happy to simply have a refund of all my contributions (mine and employer contributions) in a lump sum....however I would rather collect months benefits. That's what I signed up for. The change (GPO and WEP) took place after they already had my money....I want it back!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 23rd, 2017Don C. from Lake Providence, LA writes:
This GPO is not used in serverl states and it should be be eliminatedREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 22nd, 2017Joe S. from Long Beach, NY signed.
Feb 22nd, 2017Someone from San Antonio, TX writes:
It is unfair. Especially when non-citizens get a free ride in the us. And we send billions to of monies to foreign countries. What about the elderly. Sick and poor. I can't retire and get my full social security. We need to get a new system where Americans can partipate in social security or another plan of their own.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 21st, 2017Someone from Newnan, GA writes:
Unfortunately, this bill is dead as it wasn't passed in the 114th session of Congress. I Suggest we all write our Congressman and ask that they initiate a new bill regarding this exact subject and put it back out on the floor for the 115th Session.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 21st, 2017Someone from Grove City, OH writes:
I don't know a lot about this, but it sounds like this discriminates against public servants. What about those who receive a pension from a business? If I had put my earnings into a private annuity instead of a government pension, I wouldn't be penalized? This is unfair to many many people.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 19th, 2017Someone from Louisville, KY writes:
Viet Nam infantry veteran, 40+ years service with paid fire department, paid into social security for over 28 years and lost monies for the rest of my life from the WEP clause. Now I have to give up $130.00 per month for Part B of Medicare. Have friends who work in the private sector that have 401 K plans matched by their employer up to 75%, ESOP and other post work perks and still get 100% of their social security.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 18th, 2017Someone from Plymouth, MA writes:
I worked for the department of corrections for 23 years Got beat up many a time but never backed down I did my job I worked social security full time till was 25 years then part time till I was 68 At 64 I went to collect social security and got $350 from $1300 a month I lost near $1000 a month and my wife can't collect nothing because she worked a school kitchen job and gets a $1000 a month and you can't collect 2 pensions I better not go firstREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 16th, 2017Gary P. from Lincoln, NE writes:
I am a veteran and was proud to serve my country. I worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) where I continued to help veterans. I worked for the VA for 25 years when I was forced to take an early retirement due to that fact that they were consolidating our department to another state. I had to take a drastic cut in my pension because of the forced early retirement. I then worked for a private company for 15 years. Now I have to take a drastic cut in my Social Security due to the WEP and because of the GPO I cannot draw on my wife's Social Security. This is totally unfair my retirement pension and my Social Security are both cut to where it will be almost impossible to survive. Is this a way to treat a veteran?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 16th, 2017Someone from San Clemente, CA writes:
The WEP & GPO are really unfair to hard working police offers who are forced to retire early and choose to work at a second career are then penalized for their hard work. Please approve H.R 1795REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 15th, 2017Someone from San Clemente, CA writes:
Hello, I receive half of a police pension after a divorce. I had to reinvent myself after being a housewife for twenty-eight years. I earned a paralegal certificate and worked hard entering the legal field. I am disappointed to learn that my Social Security benefit that I earned will be reduced or eliminated entirely. This means they I can never get ahead and improve my quality of life. This is extremely unfair. I urge you to amend title II of the Social Security Act. Thank youREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 15th, 2017Someone from Hillsboro, OR writes:
Bill H.R. 1795 needs to be passed. My situation is that I am a widow who is under the CSRS retirement system. I won't be able to get any of my husbands social security earnings because of the Government Pension Offset rule. The formula used for this computation zero's out my husbands social security earnings. We were married for 34 happy years. He wanted me to have his social security earnings. With these economical times, I was hoping to have a bit of my husbands social security earnings, but the way it stands now....I won't get any of it.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 10th, 2017Della S. from Mansfield, OH writes:
This is a right that should have never been taken away from the working class people. My husband has worked hard so that he would not have to worry about me if something should happen to him. Say for me. Please repeal this unjust offset so that the working class people can continue to know that they are working for their spouses.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 9th, 2017Marlene D. from San Antonio, TX writes:
Please repeal the government pension offset in 2017. Collecting the survivor benefits of my husband is not double dipping. Double dipping would be if he collected his own survivor benefits which would be impossible because he is deceased. This is reverse dipping and the government is incorrectly retaining the benefits earned from this man and owed to his surviving spouse.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 9th, 2017Someone from Irvine, CA writes:
My husband passed away March 29, 2016. He turned 66 January 30 that year. He only received two Social Security checks before he passed away. He was still working. He worked since he was 14 and paid into Social Security all those years. He received 2 checks of $2500.00 before he died. I retired from teaching in June of 2016. Because I receive a teacher's pension, I do not receive my husband's Social Security. This is because of the Government Pension Offset. This is totally unfair. My husband worked hard for 52 years and paid dearly into Social Security. I am basically being penalized because I am a teacher. All I received from Social Security was a death benefit of $255.00 when my husband died. Really? Do you know how much it costs to pay for a funeral and a burial plot? This is a blatant insult.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 8th, 2017Jodi S. from Harvard, MA writes:
I took a pay cut to move into teaching after 15 years of working in the private sector and paying into SS. Never has my teaching pay kept up with the private sector. And now I find that they take away SS. Outrageous --- seems like it should be part of the hiring process paperwork - a notice that you are forfeiting your prior earned benefits.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 8th, 2017Someone from Ruston, LA writes:
I WISH CONGRESS WOULD REPEAL THE GPO AND WEP. i PAID INTO RETIREMENT AND SS AND NOW THE GOV. WANTS TO CHANGE TO CHANGE THE RULES. DEFINITELY NOT FAVOR.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 7th, 2017Bobbie W. from Shreveport, LA writes:
I've applied for my social security as I will turn 66 in March. It is my understanding that my social security will be reduced because I worked nearly 10 years as a civil service employee. I worked nearly 25 years in private industry and paid into the social security program. I am a single woman and would like to retire but this legislation makes it very difficult for me as it will reduce my standard of living which is the very least moderate at this point. It is wrong to penalize people who have worked and paid for this benefit while rich people are never harmed by this type of legislation. I support the bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act and repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and WEP which unfairly penalize government employees and former employees by reducing our social security benefits.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 7th, 2017Michael G. from Chicopee, MA writes:
I am a 64 year old US Postal Service retiree. I retired in 2010. My wife was going through hepatic encephalopathy (toxins in the brain from liver failure causing dementia) as she needed a new liver. After three years of suffering she received a new liver on May 1, 2014. Prior to that she was a truck driver and due to an injury she went to Bay Path University and became a paralegal with criminal justice minor. Unfortunately after the injury and liver failure she was disabled and could not work she received a social security disability as she was only 56 when she started to collect. I was her caregiver and best friend. Beatrice passed away on November 21, 2015 from an aneurysm. After the shock and surreal problems with a reality check sadly in certificates and letters to creditors and friends, families we had a celebration of life on December 12, 2015. I reported her death to Social Security and credit bureaus in order to make her affairs proper. Also sent forms to the OPM for Postal insurance and to change my beneficiary. When I went to Social Security I was told there was a $255 dollar burial assistance and applied for survivors benefits. The clerk that told me because I retired from the Postal Service I was not eligible for those benefits because of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. I then was asked if at 63 I wanted to apply for Social Security and seeing the drastic loss of limited income I consented. Now due to these ancient programs developed in the Reagan administration I will receive $130 a month of which $121 goes to pay Medicare B leaving me with an extra $9 a month extra due to the death of my soulmate, best friend and input of retirement at 63 years young. Approximately 1.5 million citizens are under these provisions and the recall and repeal actions have been sent to committee for the past 33 years. There are less retirees now that there were in 1983 and the list grows shorter every year. Now there is no reason to say that money or high cost as an excuse as we spend just over million dollars a day in Afghanistan. Not to mention projects that exist that do not help retirees to a decent living and wellbeing in their golden years. So this letter is asking for your vote to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. Restore dignity to our civil servants, teachers, police, firefighters, postal workers, air traffic controllers, federal government employees and others affected by this wrongful legislation. Please cosponsor and vote for S. 1651 or H.R. 973 HR 711 HR 1795 old numberREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 7th, 2017Someone from Chattanooga, TN writes:
This Government Pension Offset is a way for the social security administration to steal the funds I was mandated to pay into social security. My wife and I both worked and are ready to recapture decades of funds being forced from our payroll checks, only to learn that SS is taking all of money. This is outrageous.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelFeb 7th, 2017Someone from Orient, OH writes:
I have worked as a municipal employee for nearly 22 years. In addition, I worked in the private sector for over 15 years. My late husband worked all his life and paid into Social Security the entire time. He was also a Retired Captain in the Army Reserves. Tragically, he died in August 2011 of leukemia. I will turn 66 years old in May and have started collecting my husband's Social Security. The GPO is keeping me from retiring any time soon, as Social Security will be cut by 2/3 when I start collecting my pension. I still have a mortgage, many bills and other debts remaining since my husband's untimely death. Repealing H.R. 1795 would help me tremendously, along with millions of others who are baby boomers like myself. I am certain that each of you have family members or even you can be positively affected this bill passing. I implore you to consider the fact that, like my late husband, many paid into social security with the intent that they or survivors would reap the benefits of their hard work. In conclusion, repealing the WEP/GPO would be beneficial to those of us who either worked hard to earn social security or are survivors of those who did.REPORT COMMENTS
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