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Repeal the WEP/GPO Penalties and Protect Earned Social Security Benefits

WEP/GPO Penalties greatly impact many who have paid into Social Security

WHEREAS, After 1965, California?s educators were not allowed to participate in the Federal Social Security System; and

WHEREAS, The State Teachers? Retirement System is not coordinated with the Federal Social Security System; and

WHEREAS, The benefits of certain members of the Public Employees? Retirement System and retirement systems established pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 are not coordinated with the Federal Social Security System; and

WHEREAS, The public safety officers? retirement plans are uniquely designed to address the special needs of their professions, including firefighters? unique employment characteristics, such as the physical demands of the job, which ultimately result in higher injury rates and permanent disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The Social Security Act includes two penalties, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), that reduce the Social Security benefits payable to persons who are entitled to benefits under other retirement systems, and which directly controvert the designed intention of these California public retirement system plans; and

WHEREAS, These provisions penalize individuals who move from private sector employment into teaching, public safety, and other careers in public service; and

WHEREAS, These provisions penalize individuals who earned Social Security benefits through their own employment prior to or after public service by denying earned benefits; and

WHEREAS, The elimination of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision would greatly improve the opportunities for hiring and retaining teachers, peace officers, firefighters, and other public employees in California; and

WHEREAS, The elimination of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision would provide economic stimulus across California by providing earned retirement benefits to public servants in every region of this state during this time of continuing slow economic growth;



The WEP/GPO:

? Penalizes public employees in all 50 states;

? Denies earned and paid for benefits;

? Penalizes widows and widowers by up to 100% loss of survivor benefits;



Congress must act now to provide Social Security Solvency and Fairness.



Congress must act to repeal the WEP/GPO and protect earned and paid for Social Security benefits.



We the undersigned want Congress to act to provide Social Security Solvency and Fairness by repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.