Postal Retirees Deserve Better: Urge Congress to Pass H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act

As we near victory, we must keep the pressure up

September 19, 2022

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For years, APWU has been fighting to end the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which dramatically reduce the Social Security benefits of many retirees. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), is scheduled for a vote by the House Ways and Means Committee. The vote is an accomplishment for APWU’s long-running campaign to correct this injustice.

The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal the WEP, which penalizes many APWU retirees who receive a civil service pension but paid into Social Security in previous employment. It also repeals the GPO, which unfairly penalizes many spouses and widows with prior employment pensions.

This vote means that we are closer than ever to removing the GPO and WEP. However, we must continue fighting to make sure that the bill is voted out of committee with a bipartisan majority. That bipartisan majority is key to making sure it does not stall in the Senate, where it will likely need broad support to pass. Similarly, we must keep pressure on the House of Representatives to guarantee that the bill receives a floor vote before the end of the month.

It is more important than ever to let your member of Congress know that you support this bill. APWU is holding a National Day of Action to call House members on Tuesday, Sept 20. We encourage everyone to participate. Contact your representative by calling our legislative hotline at 844-402-1001 and urge them to support the Social Security Fairness Act.

To learn more about the Social Security Fairness Act, and how GPO and WEP reduce Social Security benefits for many retirees, please click here.

Enter Your Information and Click to Call Your Members of Congress Now

Enter your info in the form or dial (844) 402-1001 to be connected. Tell your representatives to support the Social Security Fairness Act.

America's seniors have earned their benefits, but despite their contributions to Social Security, many older Americans and their families are being forced into financial hardship by an unfair law. 

Many retirees and workers under the former Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) are being unfairly penalized by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provisions (WEP). 

It could be voted on in the House any day now and we want to make sure it passes both chambers with immense bipartisan support. 

 

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