Urging Congress to repeal the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision of the Social Security Act.
The resolution highlights the economic burden that the GPO and WEP impose on over two million public employees and retirees across the United States. The GPO often results in individuals losing their entire spousal Social Security benefits, while the WEP can substantially reduce the retirement benefits of those who have also worked in jobs covered by Social Security. This is especially problematic for state and municipal workers in Texas, many of whom are teachers and first responders. The resolution argues that these provisions contribute to a decline in quality of life for retirees, potentially forcing them back into the workforce to supplement inadequate incomes.
HCR18 is a concurrent resolution that urges Congress to repeal two provisions of the Social Security Act: the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These provisions, implemented in the 1970s and 1980s, are said to unfairly penalize many public employees and retirees by limiting their ability to collect full Social Security benefits. The resolution details how these policies disproportionately affect low-income public servants, especially in Texas, where a significant number of government workers do not participate in the Social Security system.
HCR18 serves as a formal appeal from the Texas legislature to the federal government, emphasizing the need for re-evaluation of policies that unfairly penalize public employees. By calling for the removal of the GPO and WEP, the resolution seeks to alleviate the financial strain on retirees and ensure that those who have served their communities are afforded the dignity and financial security they deserve in retirement.
There is significant concern within the resolution about the negative impact of the GPO and WEP on public service recruitment and retention. The punitive measures are believed to discourage individuals from entering professions like teaching, which are already facing shortages. Educators, police officers, and firefighters are particularly targeted under these provisions, leading to calls for legislative action to address what supporters of the resolution see as an injustice against those who have devoted their careers to public service.