Illinois Senate Bill SR0007

Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/23
• Refer: 1/12/23
• Refer: 2/14/23
• Report Pass: 2/22/23
• Passed: 5/19/23

Caption

REPEAL WEP/GPO

Impact

The resolution underscores the increasing number of individuals affected by the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, which disproportionately impacts employees in lower-wage government sectors, such as police officers, firefighters, and teachers. It argues that these provisions compromise the quality of life for retirees who have served in public roles, leading to situations where they must return to work due to insufficient benefits. As demographic shifts result in more retirees, the necessity for addressing and potentially repealing these provisions becomes more pressing.

Summary

SR0007 is a Senate resolution that urges the United States Congress to repeal the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision from the Social Security Act. The bill highlights the detrimental effects these provisions have on survivors who rely on Social Security benefits while also receiving public pension benefits. Specifically, the Government Pension Offset reduces the Social Security benefits available to a spouse or survivor by a significant formula tied to the amount of their government pension, often resulting in a complete elimination of their Social Security benefit despite having contributed to the system.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SR0007 may include the challenge of repealing federal provisions that affect retirees' benefits, which can only be changed at the congressional level. Some legislators may express concern over the fiscal implications of such repeals, while advocates for the bill argue that the current framework unfairly penalizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to public service. The resolution serves to bring attention to the need for legislative action at the federal level to rectify these inequities.