Should affiliated groups and former allies of teachers be speaking up about full social security benefits for teachers? Yes they should, but many of these groups have been quiet so far.
The teachers unions are currently working hard to pass H.R. 973, a bill that would remove penalties on teachers retiring in several states where they forego social security. Repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) would do the following:
The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act of 2015 (H.R. 973) would repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduces public employees’ Social Security spousal or survivor benefits by two-thirds of their public pension, and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduces the earned Social Security benefits of an individual who also receives a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security. GPO and WEP are unfair—they deprive educators and other public employees of Social Security benefits they have earned.
If you haven’t already supported the NEA’s actions, please do so here.
What some teachers are wondering is why allied groups such as AARP or AAUW have not yet spoken up. If you’d like to help an informal group of teachers reach out to other groups who, based on past advocacy, should be joining their voices to this fight, please SIGN UP HERE. Let’s get everyone who cares about a secure retirement for teachers to stand up for passage of H.R. 273 in this Congressional session!
