Retirement Security
May 25, 2022
IARA Mobilizes to Repeal GPO & WEP
The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans joined national mobilizations, including the National Education Association for a day of action on May 24th, to call for the repeal of GPO & WEP.
The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces the Social Security spousal or survivor benefits of people who get a government pension (federal, state or local) but did NOT pay Social Security taxes themselves.
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces the Social Security benefits of people who work in jobs covered by Social Security and jobs NOT covered by Social Security over the course of their careers—for example, educators compelled to take part-time or summer jobs to make ends meet.
Members of the IARA want you to know that social security payments are earned. Many educators, and other public servants have earned this benefit through taking jobs that paid into Social Security throughout their lives, in addition to their jobs in the public sector. Their spouses paid into Social Security as well, and survivor benefits can sometimes mean the difference between living in poverty, and making ends meet for many survivors.
GPO & WEP penalizes workers who dedicate their careers to serving the needs of the public. More than 2.5 million people are currently denied all or part of their earned and promised benefits because of these provisions.
We must pass the Social Security 2100 Act and the Social Security Fairness Act which would eliminate GPO & WEP, expands benefits for Social Security recipients, and extends the solvency on the program by raising the taxable income cap that currently allows billionaires to get away with paying a lower rate than the lowest income earners.
Email your elected officials and demand a repeal to GPO & WEP here: