Skip to main content

NARFE Celebrates Critical Milestone for WEP and GPO Repeal, Continues Push for House Vote

Alexandria, Va. – NARFE National President Ken Thomas issued the following statement after the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, secured its 290th cosponsor:

“Thanks in no small part to the tireless advocacy efforts of NARFE’s members, the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, has surpassed the critical threshold of 290 cosponsors, which, if maintained, could assure its consideration by the full House.

“This legislation, introduced by Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL, and sponsored by Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-VA, would fully repeal both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These unfair penalties significantly reduce Social Security benefits for more than 2 million beneficiaries, drastically affecting retirees living on fixed income.

“Per recently added House rules, any bill receiving 290 cosponsors may be placed on the House Consensus Calendar, which would tee it up for a vote if it maintains those 290 cosponsors or more for 25 legislative days (essentially, days when the House is in session), and if the bill is not reported to the floor by the committee of primary jurisdiction (in this case, the Committee on Ways & Means).

“A late attempt to circumvent that rule yesterday passed the House, but we hope and expect it will be retroactively reversed at the next opportunity. Slipped into the rule for consideration of a different bill, the provision would pause the counting of legislative days well into September. If not reversed, this would prevent H.R. 82 from meeting the threshold of 25 legislative days before the September 30 cutoff date. While staff has indicated the rule will be restored, we will continue to press leadership until it is.

“NARFE has pushed for years to repeal the unfair WEP and GPO penalties. Today, with the support of 294 lawmakers, we are closer than ever to righting this wrong.”

Background

  • The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces the Social Security benefits of local, state and federal retirees who worked in Social Security-covered employment (e.g., private-sector jobs) and who also receive a government annuity from their non-Social Security covered government employment. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces the Social Security benefits of spouses, widows, and widowers with pensions from a federal, state, or local government job. See NARFE’s issue brief on WEP and GPO here.
  • Read NARFE National President Ken Thomas’s June 7 letter urging lawmakers to support H.R. 82 here.
  • For a complete list of cosponsors of H.R. 82, click here.

# # #

As the only organization solely dedicated to the general welfare of all federal workers and retirees, NARFE delivers valuable guidance, timely resources and powerful advocacy. For 100 years, NARFE has been a trusted source of knowledge for the federal community, Capitol Hill, the executive branch and the media.

CONTACT:
Jenn Rafael
NARFE Director of Communications and Marketing
jrafael@narfe.org | (571) 483-1270