Social Security Offsets: H.R. 743 on the House Calendar -- Wednesday, April 2, 2003!
Action Sought:
Ask your Representative In Washington, D.C., to vote NO on H.R. 743.
Call or e-mail today!

Sec. 418 of the bill bans the option available in some states for employees of non-Social Security districts to switch jobs at the end of their careers so that they do not suffer a penalty on Social Security widow and spousal benefits (Government Pension Offset or GPO). It would change the eligibility requirement to qualify for spousal benefits from working one day to working five years in a Social Security district.

If this provision is enacted, it will go into effect 90 days after the bill is passed.

NEA members' lobbying efforts defeated H.R. 743 on the House floor earlier when the bill sponsor, Rep. Clay Shaw (FL), bypassed the House Ways and Means Committee and took the bill directly to the floor, a procedure that requires a two-thirds vote for approval. Shaw then moved the bill through the Ways and Means Committee. As a committee-passed bill, H.R. 743 now requires only a simple majority to pass the House.

NEA strongly opposes Sec. 418 and urges Congress instead to focus on fixing the underlying problem by repealing the GPO and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) which unfairly reduce Social Security benefits for affected public employees. Rep. Shaw has agreed to hold a hearing on the GPO/WEP issue. NEA continues to press for an early hearing.

Find contact information for your representative here: http://capwiz.com/nea/ma/officials/state/?state=MA