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Legislation has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). It is H.R. 4260: To amend Title II of the Social Security Act to provide an equitable Social Security formula for individuals with non-covered employment and to provide relief for individuals currently affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision. This bill is sponsored by Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts and is in only the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on June 21. It will be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee next before being sent to the full House or Senate.
Both Reps. Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden have signed on as co-sponsors. I think WEP is unfair and must be changed. Last year was a lost opportunity to help those retirees who are being harmed by WEP. Ideological rigidness and party politics prevented any compromise of how to pay for reform. Rep. Neal is now being asked to work on a revision of H.R. 4260 to include a reform of the Government Pension Offset (GPO). In reality, I expect there will be little done until 2025 because of a contentious presidential election and political infighting in 2024. But let your voice be heard and don’t let them forget you exist!
Karen E. Holmes
Cooper