We the Forgotten In 15 States
Many friends that I have had over the years are teachers. In New York State, they earn Social Security benefits, including Medicare. Public employees' federal benefits are sanctioned there. Now, living in Massachusetts, I hear horror stories. I was not aware that in fifteen states, municipal
employees are getting the shaft. Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia,
Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island
and Texas fall under discriminatory laws...GPO/WEP.
The GPO/WEP (Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision) repeal bills
have languished in Congress for years. Does that word windfall get to you? While
legislators are themselves comfortable with great health care and retirement benefits, this
complicated law has turned a dedicated workforce into "We the Lucky" if they are employed
by 35 unaffected states.
In 2002, a Maine teacher wrote Retiring On Next To Nothing, which explains things better
than I can. To learn more, put "GPO/WEP repeal" in your search engine. Better yet, click
here on marieardito.com. Ms. Ardito's site has an excellent breakdown of facts plus protocol
for writing to representatives on any matter.
Please add your comments.
employees are getting the shaft. Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia,
Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island
and Texas fall under discriminatory laws...GPO/WEP.
The GPO/WEP (Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision) repeal bills
have languished in Congress for years. Does that word windfall get to you? While
legislators are themselves comfortable with great health care and retirement benefits, this
complicated law has turned a dedicated workforce into "We the Lucky" if they are employed
by 35 unaffected states.
In 2002, a Maine teacher wrote Retiring On Next To Nothing, which explains things better
than I can. To learn more, put "GPO/WEP repeal" in your search engine. Better yet, click
here on marieardito.com. Ms. Ardito's site has an excellent breakdown of facts plus protocol
for writing to representatives on any matter.
Please add your comments.
- We have no affiliation with suggested links in this blog.
11/7/07 There has been a referral to my blog indicating www.washingtonwatch.com .
Please click on this link and put HR82 in their Search. Many, many, comments relating cruel
experiences, thanks to politicians*.
* My father, God bless him, spoke of differences between politicians and statesmen.
Just about the time the statesmen went, being 15 minutes late for work became the norm,
repairmen came armed with excuses instead of punctuality, or no call hours of no-show.
Do not get me started on my doctor's scheduling princess. "Have a nice day." This charming
vocalization can be used in such a casual or caustic manner that is meaningless.
Drives you crazy.
After the 23 years that public servant employees have been denied their earned Soc Security benefits and/or their spousal benefits, the affected have hopes for REPEAL. A local (Cape Cod) columnist was contacted, did research and wrote a piece entitled "A SOCIAL DISGRACE".Replies in support of REPEAL followed. DEMONSTRATIONS have taken place at the office of a supportive Representative. We were told that, for the first time in 23 years, the H 82 bill for REPEAL will come out of committee... and most likely pass. It was related that "REPEAL is NOT EXPECTED (S 206)in the Senate". ("There is no money to spare!") Women (widows/divorcees) compromise the majority in dire straits. Their CREDITABLE WORK YEARS toward good pensions, as well as earning generally lower salaries contribute to this. Their traditional duties: raising children/care of elderly parents are a reality. Women also live longer than men. Because they are being denied their rightful (and needed) SSecurity benefits, town/state agencies are now dealing with having to provide assistance. "A DIRTY SECRET" should be given light. Public employees who "love their work", have actually quit upon learning the reality in 15 states, their benefits are severely destined to be implemented: they are pulling out BEFORE being vested in these "public" retirements. Society will miss them, but they will have avoided being deprived of their benefits. The other 35 states have "affected" persons as folks move. PLEASE HELP BY GETTING EDUCATED RE: SSecurity Pension Offsets and Windfall Elimination AND "speak on it" to friends/relatives/strangers!!! YOUR efforts could bring Congress to "do the right thing" for our elderly.
We are connecting signatures on petitions to REPEAL. MMT 73 Retired receiving $0 SSecurity benefits!!!
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What is it our Congressmen are supposed to do re: putting the issue: SSecurity Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions??? Senator Kerry had a hearing in November, his wife Theresa Heinz Kerry wrote an article in the Boston Herald. The House is "considering REPEAL". What needs to happen is for the legislators in the "affected states" and those who "understand" the unfairness inflicted on the public servants in 15 states... to put PRESSURE on the legislators and GET ACTION. Lip service has not affected change in 23 years...
Please write to your legislators or we wlll have to begin again to bring the issue up with new legislation!! Enough is enough.
Muriel T, MA, age 74, Retired Teacher of the Blind who receives 54% retirement and $0 in Social Security and $0 from my husband's earned benefits.
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