At Urging of National President, Senator Kerry Agrees to Hold Public Hearing on Social Security Fairness Act
September 19, 2007
At a meeting Tuesday with National President David J. Holway and NAGE local leaders, Senator John Kerry agreed to hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 206. The bill would repeal two Social Security provisions that cost public employees thousands of dollars each year by lowering or eliminating their Social Security benefits. President Holway will testify at the hearing, which is expected to be held in October.
When it was earlier reported that a public hearing would not be scheduled, President Holway, who has a longtime relationship with the senator, immediately sent a letter requesting a meeting.
"We scheduled this meeting with Senator Kerry for one purpose only—to urge him to hold a public hearing on WEP and GPO—two provisions that negatively affect thousands of our members and his constituents," said Holway. "We are very pleased to report that Senator Kerry heard our concerns and understands the significance of this bill to our members."
According to John Mann, president of Unit 1, Local 292, the meeting could not have gone better. "We sat down with Senator Kerry, carrying the voices of all of our affected members, and explained how these provisions hurt hardworking public employees. I really think we have an ally in Sentator Kerry on this issue."
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) of the Social Security Act affect thousands of federal, state, and local government employees by lowering or eliminating Social Security benefits that they’ve paid for and are entitled to. Senate Bill 206 is pending before the Senate Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy; Senator Kerry is the chair of that committee.
Get more information about how WEP and GPO are cutting into your Social Security benefits.