Georgia House Bill HR120

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23

Caption

Congress; enact legislation to repeal the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision from the Social Security Act; urge

Impact

The resolution highlights significant concerns regarding the negative impacts of the GPO and WEP on individuals and families receiving Social Security benefits. With over 700,000 individuals affected by the GPO and around 2,000,000 affected by the WEP across the United States, many workers face challenges in retirement, which could lead to financial instability and a decreased quality of life. The bill points out that these offsets could force retirees to return to work, undermining the purpose of retirement benefits and complicating the lives of many already stretched thin by economic pressures.

Summary

House Resolution 120 calls upon Congress to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) from the Social Security Act. The GPO affects spouses and survivors receiving Social Security benefits by reducing their entitlements if they also receive a government pension. The WEP, on the other hand, reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who have worked in jobs where they were not covered by Social Security but who also receive a public pension. These provisions are seen as detrimental to many citizens, especially public sector workers, and disproportionately impact those in essential services like teaching, law enforcement, and firefighting.

Contention

While the resolution is aimed at providing relief for affected retirees and their families, it recognizes the need for legislative action at the federal level. Critics of the GPO and WEP argue that these policies hinder recruitment and retention of critical workforce members in public service jobs by creating a punitive financial environment for retirees. Thus, the repeal of these provisions is not merely about financial relief but also addresses broader implications regarding workforce sustainability in vital state and local services.