NARFE seal image   logo-narfelogo-Chapter 65

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Legislation Report

December 2007

Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chair of the Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy panel of the Senate Finance Committee, held a press conference on November 6th to set the stage for a subcommittee hearing later the same day on the impact of the Social Security Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined him at the press conference along with NARFE National President Margaret L. Baptiste, a top official of the National Education Association (NEA), and retired Massachusetts school teacher Peggy Kane. President Baptiste was the only participant representing the views of the Federal sector. President Baptiste's comments noted the impact the GPO (lost spousal benefit) has on Mrs. Jean Rapose, a member of NARFE's Lower Cape Cod Chapter. Senator Collins, the first witness, testified in support of S. 206, legislation to repeal the GPO and WEP, which she is cosponsoring with Senator Dianne Feinstein. NEA member Kane reiterated her personal situation as did a CALPERS board member, an expert from the Government Accountability Office, and a senior fellow from the Urban Institute, a Washington think tank. Because of NARFE advocacy on behalf of Federal and postal retirees, who reside in all 50 states, the inequity of the GPO and the WEP, which otherwise might appear to affect only state and local government retirees in 15 states, is on the public record as a national issue. More on the press conference and the hearing will appear in the January issue of NARFE magazine.

In this instance, the committee was accepting written submissions on how the GPO/WEP affects individuals. However, we were unable to get this information to you in time to meet their deadline of November 20. Since our newsletter continues to be our primary means of communicating with the membership, there is little we can do in emergencies. This is why it's important for all members with email to sign up to receive notices from NARFE-NET by email. You can do this by emailing Carl Bailey at narfenet@comdak.com. We should not miss these opportunities to make our voices heard.        Beatrice Bertwell

Archived reports are available for viewing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top

Back to Home Page link About Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Email Us | ©2007 NARFE Chapter 65 | Updated: