Legislative Resources
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Legislative Resources: Social Security
Social Security Update
Important Background Information
Employees of Texas community colleges planning to retire from schools that do not participate in the Social Security system are potentially affected by two provisions of federal law, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Check out valuable information about the GPO and WEP, as well as other issues of interest to all community college faculty provided by the Social Security Administation.
Background information on the GPO, which potentially reduces or eliminates spousal survivor benefits and background information on the WEP, which can reduce benefits for those who are otherwise qualified for Social Security (due to previous or supplemental employment) are also available through the Social Security Administration.
Efforts to Repeal GPO and WEP Continue
Nationwide efforts continue for outright repeal of GPO and WEP. Success will be difficult given the current deficit, plus the fact that these two provisions apply only in 15 "non-mandatory" states in which school and college districts have chosen (in most cases many years ago) not to participate in Social Security. In other words, elected officials from 35 states may not view the inevitable cost of changing the system as crucial.
In the current session, companion bills in the House and Senate have been introduced that would repeal the WEP and GPO. The bills are HR 82 and S 206. (These links also provide updated information on the status of each.)
Two Texas members of Congress, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, have also recently sponsored an effort to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision. The companion bills, S. 1647 and H.R. 2772, would replace the WEP with a formula giving equal treatment to public employees for the years they contributed to Social Security, returning an estimated $8 billion to those currently affected. Importantly, however, the bills do not address the Government Pension Offset.
Some observers believe chances have improved for consideration of repeal, since the election of 2006 resulted in considerable turnover of congressional leadership. Other commentators have urged mandating Social Security participation by all government agencies as an added component of any repeal package. This issue must be watched very carefully.
Members are urged to visit this page periodically for any significant developments. TCCTA plans to distribute Legislative Updates via e-mail at the most appropriate time.
Contact information for members of the U.S. House and Senate.
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