01.24.2025: Social Security Adds New Section to thier website for information and questions on WEP/GPO Repeal. Click here for access
_________________________________
01.05.2025: Biden Signs Social Security Fairness Act!
In a monumental and life-changing day for public workers and their families in Maine and throughout our nation, President Biden today signed the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82/S.597) into law, repealing the decades-old Social Security Offsets formally known as the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)! MSEA-SEIU Retiree Director Ginette Rivard attended the signing ceremony at The White House on our union's behalf.
The repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset is retroactive to January 2024, so those who have been harmed by these unfair federal laws will finally start getting the Social Security benefits they are owed retroactive to January 2024.
With the Social Security Fairness Act now signed into law, workers at the Social Security Administration have been directed to respond to inquiries from those impacted as follows, according to an emergency message from the Social Security Administration to the workers at Social Security:
“The Social Security Fairness Act, HR 82, concerning Windfall Elimination Program and Government Pension Offset, eliminates the reduction of Social Security benefits while entitled to public pensions. At this time, the Social Security Administration is evaluating the law and how to implement it. We will provide more information on our website, ssa.gov as soon as it is available. If you are already entitled, you do not need to take any action at this time except to verify that we have your current mailing address and direct deposit information. If you are receiving a public pension and are now interested in filing for benefits, you may file online at ssa.gov or schedule an appointment.”
President Biden’s signing of the Social Security Fairness Act into law follows historic votes in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives that will strengthen the retirement security of millions of workers throughout the United States, including tens of thousands of Mainers.
“After just over four decades of the Windfall Elimination Provision and nearly five decades of the Government Pension Offset, both of which have robbed public workers of their much-deserved full Social Security benefits, enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act is the result of a long and arduous fight by labor unions and rank-and-file union members for years,” said MSEA-SEIU Retiree Director Steve Butterfield. He noted that MSEA members and our union for decades have been advocating for the repeal of the offsets.
“Public sector workers can now enjoy the full value of the Social Security benefits that they have paid for through their work careers but have never been able to enjoy. These benefits will aid all retired public sector workers to have a better lifestyle,” Steve said. “Thank you to President Biden, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives for recognizing this long-term injustice and bringing it to an end. We especially thank Maine’s entire congressional delegation – Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Jared Golden – for all of their work to repeal the Social Security Offsets. Millions of current and future retirees will stand a better chance of achieving retirement security with the enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act.”
The enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act into law will strengthen the retirement security of participants in the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
MSEA-SEIU Retiree Director Ginette Rivard worked for nearly 25 years in the children’s behavioral health unit for Maine DHHS in Caribou and served as president of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 from 2011 to 2015. She attended today's signing ceremony at The White House on our union's behalf.
“Passage of the Social Security Fairness Act is a game changer,” said Ginette, who serves as chair of the MSEA-SEIU Retirees Steering Committee. “Between the GPO and the WEP, I have been receiving about a third of what I would have been otherwise eligible for had I not worked in the public sector following my years in the private sector. Repealing these provisions will enable me to live my retirement years with the assurance that I can meet my living expenses. Senator Collins has long understood the impact these unfair provisions have on so many, and I deeply appreciate her sponsoring this legislation.”
MSEA-SEIU Retiree Member Penny Whitney-Asdourian worked for over 33 years for the Judicial Branch of Maine State Government. She said she and her husband, a retired firefighter, have been hit hard by the Windfall Elimination Provision. They are thrilled that the Social Security Fairness Act has been signed into law.
“We have been losing over $1,000 a month in Social Security benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision,” Penny said. “While an extra $12,000 a year may not sound like a lot to many people, it certainly is a lot of money to us. It would pay our property taxes, our homeowners’ insurance, and make a huge dent in our heating expenses during the Maine winters. For many retirees, especially older retirees who have been retired for many years, getting the Social Security retirement benefits that they paid into can mean the end to food and fuel insecurity. I cannot think of a better way to care for our seniors. The bipartisan support for this bill was amazing, and I hope the Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted to repeal the Social Security Offsets realize that the prayers of many public pension recipients have finally been realized.”
Another MSEA-SEIU retiree member, Tony Gonzales of Milo, worked for MaineDOT for 25 years, retiring in 2018. Prior to that, he worked for 20 years in the private sector, where he paid into the Social Security system.
“In April of 2018, my Social Security benefits statement said I would receive $1,000 a month,” Tony said. However, “when I retired, I was informed that because of the Windfall Elimination Provision, I would receive 40% of the $1,000 a month that I paid for -- $400 instead of $1,000! I have paid a $600 monthly penalty now for going on seven years. I pay close attention to my expenses as they rise at multiples of what my income does. I heat my home with wood, getting up in the night to feed the boiler, heat pumps and very little oil. The $600 a month that I paid for but that I currently don’t get will make my life easier. I would like to thank all of the people involved for doing what’s right. That is the right thing to do. Thank you again for righting this wrong. I only want the benefit I paid for.”
MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 and our international union, the Service Employees International Union, have strongly supported repealing the Social Security Offsets so that public employees could begin collecting the Social Security benefits they earned. Both the WEP and GPO have been robbing public service workers and their spouses of retirement benefits they earned:
The WEP changed the formula used to calculate benefit amounts that retirees earned while working in a system covered by Social Security; the WEP has been affecting people who earned a pension working for a government agency and also worked at jobs where they paid Social Security taxes long enough to qualify for retirement or disability benefits. The WEP thus has chipped away at the retirement benefits of a retiree who worked both in the private and public sectors. Over 21,000 Maine workers were penalized by the WEP, according to a Congressional Research Service report dated Feb. 28, 2024.
The GPO has reduced public employees’ Social Security or survivor benefits by an amount equal to two-thirds of their public pensions. As a result, the GPO sharply reduced – and in most cases eliminated – the Social Security spousal benefit for workers who receive public pensions, even though their deceased spouse paid Social Security taxes for many years. Over 8,000 Mainers were penalized by the GPO as of December 2023, according to a report by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.
This is a momentous day for MSEA members and the millions of hard-working Americans who dedicated years of their working lives in service to the public. Millions of current and future retirees will stand a better chance of achieving retirement security with the enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act. Our thanks go to President Biden for signing it into law so that everyone can finally start receiving the Social Security benefits they have earned. Thanks also go to the members of Maine's congressional delegation for their steady support, and to our active and retired MSEA members who kept the pressure on elected officials. Your sustained effort made this happen.
_________________________________
12.21.2024: U.S. Senate Passes Social Security Fairness Act! Sent to Biden for signature!
After decades of lobbying by Maine’s public employees and their unions, Congress votes to repeal the Social Security Offsets
The Social Security Fairness Act now goes to President Joe Biden so he can sign it into law; enactment would repeal two federal laws: the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset
In a historic vote that will strengthen the retirement security of millions of workers throughout the United States, including tens of thousands of Mainers, the U.S. Senate today followed the lead of the U.S. House of Representatives in voting to repeal two unfair federal laws that penalize workers for pursuing careers in public service. With the passage of The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R 82/S.597) by both chambers of Congress, the legislation now goes to President Biden’s desk so he can sign it into law.
“After just over four decades of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and nearly five decades of the Government Pension Offset (GPO), both of which have robbed public workers of their much-deserved full Social Security benefits, the U.S. Senate today finally passed S.597. Passage of this legislation is the result of a long and arduous fight by labor unions and rank-and-file union members for years,” said Steve Butterfield of Hallowell, who serves as a retiree director on the board of directors of the Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union (MSEA-SEIU Local 1989). The labor union represents thousands of Maine workers impacted by the WEP and GPO, known collectively as the Social Security Offsets. MSEA members and their union for decades have been advocating for the repeal of the offsets.
Butterfield said that once President Biden signs The Social Security Fairness Act into law, which he is expected to do, “Public sector workers can now enjoy the full benefit of the Social Security benefits that they have paid for through their work careers but have never been able to enjoy. These benefits will aid all retired public sector workers to have a better lifestyle. Thank you to the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives for recognizing this long-term injustice and bringing it to an end.”
Caribou resident Ginette Rivard worked for nearly 25 years in the children’s behavioral health unit for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in Caribou and served as president of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 from 2011 to 2015. “Passage of the Social Security Fairness Act is a game changer,” said Rivard, who serves as chair of the MSEA-SEIU Retirees Steering Committee. “Between the GPO and the WEP, I have been receiving about a third of what I would have been otherwise eligible had I worked in the private sector. Repealing these provisions will enable me to live my retirement years with the assurance that I can meet my living expenses. Senator Collins has long understood the impact these unfair provisions have on so many, and I deeply appreciate her sponsoring this legislation.”
Penny Whitney-Asdourian, a retiree from Scarborough, worked for over 33 years for the Judicial Branch of Maine State Government. She said she and her husband, a retired firefighter, have been hit hard by the Windfall Elimination Provision. They are thrilled that The Social Security Fairness Act passed in both chambers of Congress.
“We have been losing over $1,000 a month in Social Security benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision,” Whitney-Asdourian said. “While an extra $12,000 a year may not sound like a lot to many people, it certainly is a lot of money to us. It would pay our property taxes, our homeowners’ insurance, and make a huge dent in our heating expenses during the Maine winters. For many retirees, especially older retirees who have been retired for many years, getting the Social Security retirement benefits that they paid into can mean the end to food and fuel insecurity. I cannot think of a better way to care for our seniors.”
Added Whitney-Asdourian, “This vote (by the U.S. Senate) provides some critical financial relief to millions of retired public safety workers, teachers and public service workers across this great nation. For years, these retirees have been penalized for their choice for a career in public service, rather than the private sector, but who have also qualified for Social Security benefits. The bipartisan support for this bill was amazing, and I hope the Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted to repeal the Social Security Offsets realize that the prayers of many public pension recipients have finally been realized.”
Another retiree, Tony Gonzales of Milo, worked for the Maine Department of Transportation for 25 years, retiring in 2018. Prior to that, he worked for 20 years in the private sector, where he paid into the Social Security system.
“In April of 2018, my Social Security benefits statement said I would receive $1,000 a month, Gonzales said. However, “when I retired, I was informed that because of the Windfall Elimination Provision, I would receive 40% of the $1,000 a month that I paid for -- $400 instead of $1,000! I have paid a $600 monthly penalty now for going on seven years. I pay close attention to my expenses as they rise at multiples of what my income does. I heat my home with wood, getting up in the night to feed the boiler, heat pumps and very little oil. The $600 a month that I paid for but that I currently don’t get would make my life easier.”
Continuing, Gonzales said, “I would like to thank all of the people involved for doing what’s right and passing S.597. That is the right thing to do. Thank you again for righting this wrong. I only want the benefit I paid for.”
MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 and their international union, the Service Employees International Union, have strongly supported repealing the Social Security Offsets so that public employees could begin collecting the Social Security benefits they earned. Both the WEP and GPO have been robbing public service workers and their spouses of retirement benefits they earned:
“This is a great day for workers in Maine and throughout our nation,” MSEA-SEIU President Mark Brunton said of the U.S. Senate’s passage of The Social Security Fairness Act. “The members of MSEA are extremely grateful to Maine’s entire congressional delegation – Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Jared Golden – for supporting the repeal of the Social Security Offsets. Millions of current and future retirees will stand a better chance of achieving retirement security with the passage of The Social Security Fairness Act. We urge President Biden to sign it into law right away so that everyone can finally start receiving the Social Security benefits they have earned.”
_________________________________
11.20.2024: Social Security Fairness Act - WEP & GPO Repeal Update
The passage of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, by the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 12 is long overdue to repeal the unfair Social Security Offsets that have penalized scores of public service workers and retirees in Maine and throughout our nation. We thank Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Jared Golden for their leadership in pushing H.R. 82 over the top in the U.S. House. Some of our members are losing over $7,000 per year in Social Security due to these offsets; now it’s time for the U.S. Senate to pass its version of the bill, S. 597, right away and get it to President Biden’s desk for his signature.
Call Senator Susan Collins at 202-224-2523 and Senator Angus King at 202-224-5344.
Thank them for supporting S. 597 and ask them to use every ounce of their political power to secure passage of S. 597 immediately so that President Biden can sign the Social Security Offset repeals into law.
After you call, share your story here:
2024 Social Security Fairness Act Advocacy: Member Story Collection Form
For too long, public service workers and retirees who have paid into Social Security in good faith have had their Social Security disability, retirement and survivor benefits substantially reduced or even eliminated as a direct result of the federal Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, known collectively as the Social Security Offsets. The offsets are harming thousands of public workers and retirees in Maine.
These offsets penalize public workers who paid into public pension systems as part of their careers. These laws make it extremely difficult for workers to plan for retirement and for retirees to make ends meet. The Government Pension Offset hits women particularly hard by reducing or eliminating all spousal and survivor benefits.
For years, members of our union have been telling their personal stories about why the offsets must be repealed. Now it’s up to the U.S. Senate to pass S. 597, its version of the legislation to repeal the Social Security Offsets.
Call Senator Susan Collins at 202-224-2523 and Senator Angus King at 202-224-5344.
Thank them for supporting S. 597 and ask them to use every ounce of their political power to secure passage of S. 597 immediately so that President Biden can sign the Social Security Offset repeals into law.
Questions? Contact MSEA-SEIU Lead Member Political and Legislative Coordinator Jonathan Brown at 207-624-0627 or jonathan.brown@mseaseiu.org.
_________________________________
10.11.2024: WEP & GPO Repeal Update
Leaders in the repeal movement met with Congressman Graves and Congresswoman Spanberger today, confirming that we are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing to move the repeal forward.
Please note that the following reflects the meeting. Still, it addresses advocacy actions and concerns outside of that conversation. It is presented here to help you better understand and reiterate the direction we have been taking, which must be pursued aggressively.
SENATE
Continue to contact Senators to cosponsor S. 597.
Thank all Senators who have cosponsored S. 597.
New York constituents are to work directly with Senator Schumer to advance the bill and help get more legislators on board. https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact
X-Handle: @SenSchumer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/senschumer
If you are from Kentucky, contact Senator McConnell from his official government website to get on the right side of justice – cosponsor S. 597 and encourage other Republican Senators to get on board.
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact?p=ContactForm
X-Handle: @LeaderMcConnell
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mitchmcconnell
HOUSE
Send messages of gratitude to every cosponsor and signer of the discharge petition and get them to commit to voting "yea" on H.R. 82.
Behind the scenes, unions and organizations will be working on the "Larson" situation, and Connecticut constituents must work to get Rep. Larson to stand down and retract his discouraging statements.
Just so you know, Rep. Larson's bill cannot be brought forward for a vote; it is partisan, and there are also Democrats who do not believe in a massive expansion of the Social Security system.
He may be pushing it, but there is no path to success. Bipartisanship is the only way any bill can pass at this time in history—he doesn't have it, but H.R. 82 does!
HOUSE and SENATE
The House must be prepared to vote on the repeal soon after returning from recess, and it could move quickly to the Senate. Inform all legislators of your expectations and ready them to vote for their respective bills.
The upcoming election and your voting strategies regarding WEP & GPO are significant to the House (everyone is up for election) and Class I Senators, those running in November.
We have many unsponsored legislators in the South who have been affected by tornadoes and hurricanes—use this to our advantage. (Sorry, but this is an ugly reality.) The WEP and GPO affect first responders.
We need law enforcement, firefighters, and all first responders on this, like bees on honey. Think Sen. Marco Rubio and all the unsponsored Reps from Florida—it is time for them to step up to the plate. We are done with the rhetoric that legislators support first responders when they have shown their true colors by not cosponsoring the bills, demonstrating they do not care about the financial security of those who keep us safe and secure when in retirement.
MOVING FORWARD IN THE HOUSE – POSSIBLE ROUTES
1. Rep. Scalise calls up H.R. 82 through the "suspension of rules." While this would expedite the process, it requires 290 votes. The bill is less protected in this scenario, and it is tough to reach 290 votes. (This is not ideal, but the 290-voter threshold could be met.)
2. Other "rules" actions could be introduced = the unknown.
3. Upon returning from recess, Reps Graves and Spanberger call for a vote under the discharge petition (DC-P). This would require action on the bill within two days.
Different avenues could emerge, but Reps Graves and Spanberger plan to proceed with the DC-P motion, which requires 218 votes.
JUST ONE SCENARIO: Rep. Scalise brings the bill forward but fails to get the 290 needed votes. Then Congressman Graves and Congresswoman Spanberger bring it forward, and H.R. 82 receives the 218 necessary votes.
Roadblocks can occur anytime, and legislators must be prepared for attempts to thwart the process.
SERIOUSLY – PUT YOUR SEATBELTS ON – THIS IS ALREADY A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE!
LET'S REVIEW
Since the offsets' inception, the cumulative estimate of the withholdings is between $600 billion and $700 billion.
Without that money, the Social Security system would already be insolvent, and the repeal over the ten years from 2024-2034 is a drop in the bucket compared to the outlay for just one year at $1.5 trillion.
Our money has averted the insolvency crisis by buoying the trust funds for decades.
The Social Security system has made off like a bandit, averting the insolvency crisis and enjoying a several-year gain in trust fund solvency.
LITERALLY—There is no reason for Congress to prolong the discrimination we have sustained for decades.
THE REALITY—Raising the taxable minimum is not in the stars now, but that and other strategies will have to be determined, knowing that Congress will probably not act to avert the actual solvency crisis until it looms over our collective heads in the 2030's
We use cookies to optimize your website experience. It helps us make improvements to this site.
Social Security Fairness Act...
The retro payment from Social Security that you have or will soon receive in March may not have had deductions for federal taxes. This may result in you having to pay the IRS next year when you file your tax return. You should always consult with an Income Tax Professional when filing your taxes.