Repeal the WEP/GPO Penalties and Protect Earned Social Security Benefits
Public Comments (11,667)
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Jul 23rd, 2015Someone from Georgetown, CA writes:
I came to teaching later in life. I have no retirement benefits from my previous career other than Social Security. Windfall? I don't think so. At this point it's not about cost but about restitution. -
Jul 23rd, 2015Someone from Reno, NV signed.
Jul 23rd, 2015Someone from Del Mar, CA writes:
I teach in the California Community College system and have done so for almost 27 years. I have also worked in private industry paying social security for 20 years. I believe this is discriminatory toward those of us who have paid into the social security system expecting to receive the same benefits as anyone else who has contributed. The WEP/GPO penalizes public employees who have paid into the social security system and denies deserved and earned benefits. It is an unfair system and should be repealed.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 23rd, 2015Someone from Gray, ME signed.
Jul 23rd, 2015Someone from Ben Lomond, CA signed.
Jul 22nd, 2015Someone from Rockford, IL signed.
Jul 22nd, 2015Someone from Lakeside, CA signed.
Jul 22nd, 2015Someone from San Diego, CA writes:
I have dedicated 28+ years teaching nursing at a California community college. I purposely accepted this teaching position knowing that I would receive less salary than most of my nursing graduates. I love my job, working with a wide diversity of ethnic and socioeconomic students. And, I love nursing. I purposely take my students to have clinical experience taking care of a diversity of socioeconomic, ethnic and sexual orientation patients. As a nurse practitioner during summer vacations, I have treated only low income and no-insurance clients in "poverty" clinics. I am about to retire after 40+ years as a registered nurse. Because of WEP, my wife and I will receive less Social Security simply because I chose to work as a teacher in a community college. How am I to feel that I get less because I have sacrificed for the health and welfare of the public? Tom Oertel, CaliforniaREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 22nd, 2015Someone from Ontario, CA signed.
Jul 22nd, 2015Someone from Prague, OK signed.
Jul 22nd, 2015Someone from Baton Rouge, LA writes:
I am a retired state employee in the state of Louisiana. I presently work in the private sector and have paid into social security for 11 years. My husband who worked for 40 years and paid social security recently died, but I am not entitled to survival benefits because of my state pension. I am also going to be affected in a few years when I retire by the GPO and WEP and it is not fair. I want to be treated like other widowers in the other 35 states. Please repeal these programs and make it fair for all Americans.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 22nd, 2015Someone from Fenton, LA signed.
Jul 22nd, 2015Someone from Leominster, MA signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Portola, CA signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Roslyn, WA signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Los Angeles, CA signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Scotts Valley, CA signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Scotts Valley, CA writes:
After years of working hard as a waitress, store clerk and receptionist my mother was finally able to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She worked her way through college while raising four children. It took her eight long years, but she did. It was a devastating blow to learn that her 20+ years of earned social security would be cut because she chose to serve her California community and teach. She is receiving no pensions from her years of laborious work, and with the cut to her SS benefits, and the likely hood of being denied my fathers earned spousal benefit should he pass before her, means she has a future retirement outlook that is grim. How is that fair? These acts must be repealed, they are damaging to current educators and other public servants, as well as hurting the prospects of future educators who may decide the risk to their retirement is too great.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 21st, 2015Someone from Commerce City, CO signed.
Jul 21st, 2015Someone from Apple Valley, CA writes:
The government taking away money, that I paid into a fund to EARN a SMALL income when I retire, is but one thing. IT IS THEFT PLAIN AND SIMPLE. Congress you are elected and put there to protect THE PEOPLE by making laws. The congress of 1983 made a law that allowed the government to steal from its very employees. REPEAL this downright illegal and unjust law and do away with WEP/GPO once and for all.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 21st, 2015Someone from Olden, TX writes:
I am a retired teacher and a widow from the state of Texas. I have been hit by both laws unfairly. I only ask to be treated like every other American. If a spouse dies who has contributed to Social Security, then the surviving spouse should receive their pension. The law is meant for everyone not a select few. I believe that we (public, state worker, etc.) should be able to file a class action lawsuit concerning the prejudice that has been placed upon on us by this unfair law. Praises to those who are trying to right a wrong with the system.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 21st, 2015Someone from Olden, TX writes:
I am a retired teacher and a widow. I have been hit by both laws unfairly. I only ask to be treated like every other American. If a spouse dies who has contributed to Social Security, then the surviving spouse should receive their pension. The law is meant for everyone not a select few. I believe that we (public, state worker, etc.) would be able to file a class action lawsuit concerning the prejudice that has been placed upon on us by this unfair law. Praises to those who are trying to right a wrong with the system.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Henderson, NV signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Grafton, MA writes:
**We have paid into the Social Security system and we deserve 100% benefits, even if we are teacher. Paid into the SS because of the need for "extra/on the side" job, to supplement teacher pay & the lack of raises equal to the cost of living.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from La Mesa, CA writes:
Because I was a single parent, I did not start teaching until I was 29 years old and so did not have enough years in when I needed to retire. I had to work a retail job until I was 69 years old after teaching for 30 years and yet I only get enough SS to pay my medicare part B. My life would really improve with my full SS pension. This would benefit the economy; I would spend some money on extras if I could.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from New Orleans, LA signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Pasadena, CA signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Dubach, LA writes:
I am a retired police officer (33 years). My wife died in 2010. I was told that I could apply for a survivor benefit when I turned 60. I checked on this and found that my pension offsets everything I would be eligible for under survivor benefits. This is not fair. If I was still working I could draw the survivor benefit. Plus, I'd be making a lot more money working than I am as retired. She paid in all this money and I can't get a dime.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Columbus, OH signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Mcallen, TX signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Mendon, MA writes:
I continue to express my concern and outrage that Massachusetts continues to punish hard working citizens that have entered the teaching profession later in life. My most recent calculations show that I will be penalized over 50% of my earned Social Security benefit because 16 years ago I joined the ranks of public school teachers. Although my journey in public education has been rewarding, based on the financial penalty, I would not recommend my path to others who may have a desire to teach in a public school later in life. I plan on retiring in 6 years and hope that this issue will be resolved .REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Mendon, MA writes:
I continue to express my concern and outrage that Massachusetts continues to punish hard working citizens that have entered the teaching profession later in life. My most recent calculations show that I will be penalized over 50% of my earned Social Security benefit because 16 years ago I joined the ranks of public school teachers. Although my journey in public education has been rewarding, based on the financial penalty, I would not recommend my path to others would have a desire to teach in a public school later in life. I plan on retiring in 6 years and hope that this issue will be resolved ,REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Notasulga, AL writes:
It is far past time for this unjust legislation to be repealed in its entirety. We earned it. What are you doing - trying to wait until we all die off. Please take the necessary action required to repeal these unfair laws in their entirety.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Massillon, OH writes:
After receiving my widows benefit for year ss realized I wasn't to get the among due to WEP Having my job with government terminated retired a year early, having lost my husband, took three grandsons in year earlier the loss of this benefit is going to cost me my home, I was getting $1460, they said due to my $1900 pension I was only allowed $198??? My husband a US Army Veteran, worked 44 years and that's all I was allowed! If I worked anywhere else I would get more, They are the ones who did my paper work they knew I was OPERS, now I am penalized, they give me nothing ,say I owe all that back, Please sign this reformdREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 20th, 2015Someone from Bartow, FL signed.
Jul 20th, 2015Someone from Pensacola, FL signed.
Jul 19th, 2015Someone from San Jose, CA signed.
Jul 19th, 2015Someone from San Jose, CA writes:
I have been denied social security survivors benefits because I was a teacher for over 40 years. I was told this was considered double dipping, and yet there are so many congresmen, judges and other public servants who have "double dipped" I have assisted my 3 kids through medical school and law school and anticipated receiving assistance from social security. My son who just graduated from medical school with thousands of dollars in student loans was also a peace corps volunteer in Mali, Africa for 3 yeaes and my daughter who gave up a year as a vollunteer in Jesuit Volunteer Corps working with immigrants in Houston and then attended law school. I always encouraged their community service rather than working, as I was of the belief that I would be in a better position to assist them through school. My husband contributed to Social Security for 40 years and was always of the belief that I would be taken care of. He contributed to the community and served as Mayor of our community. I am disheartened by your treatment of teachers.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 19th, 2015Someone from Fort Myers, FL writes:
The only way there is equity is to repeal the WEP/GPO. What right does the government have to decide who should receive their just benefit who should be denied.REPORT COMMENTS
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