Alert #113 The Scorecard

Alert #113 The Scorecard 1

The Scorecard:  GPO/WEP Progress So Far This Year

THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS! Keep making our case to everyone you know.

We are halfway through the current legislative session–“the 116th Congress.” This Congressional session and the bills so far introduced continue through 2020. Here is a quick look at the bills that could affect the Social Security offsets. Please call or email your Senators and House Members and send them a thank you or a reminder to co-sponsor if they haven’t yet done so.

The Repeal Bills (click on blue links for more information):

H.R. 141 Social Security Fairness Act

Introduced by Representative Rodney Davis (R) of Illinois

Currently has 235 co-sponsors: 180 Democrats, 55 Republicans

Would stop the application of the offsets to already retired persons as well as to  future retirees.


S. 521 Social Security Fairness Act

Introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D) of Ohio

Social Security Fairness Act

Currently has 36 co-sponsors: 30 Democrats, 4 Republicans, 2 Independents

Would stop the application of the offsets to already retired persons as well as to  future retirees. Companion to the House bill.

More than half the House of Representatives has signed onto the repeal bill, HR 141, and many have also signed onto the WEP change bills. We need to put more pressure on our SENATORS to REPEAL, not just change BOTH offsets!

Bills to modify only the Windfall Elimination Penalty:

H.R. 3934 Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act

Introduced by Kevin Brady (R) of Texas

Currently has 43 co-sponsors:  40 Republicans, 3 Democrats

Uses a different formula to calculate the windfall, taking into account years of covered and non-covered Social Security income. Would not re-calculate benefits of persons already retired.  They would receive an extra $100 per month and $50 for spouse.

H.R. 4540  Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act

Introduced by Richard Neal (D) Chairperson of the Ways and Means Committee

Currently has 79 Cosponsors: 77 Democrats, 2 Republicans

(similar to H.R. 3934) Uses a different formula to calculate the windfall, taking into account years of covered and non-covered Social Security income. Would not re-calculate benefits of persons already retired.  They would receive an extra $150 per month.

Bill to expand Social Security benefits for all retirees.

H.R. 860 Social Security 2100 Act

Introduced by John Larson (D) Connecticut

Currently has 208 Co-sponsors, all Democrats

Would increase retirement benefits as well as contributions to Social Security retirement funds. Does not currently affect GPO/WEP.  There is an campaign to add repeal of both offsets to this bill.