AFT Massachusetts Leaders Call on Congress to Act on Social Security Fairness for Thousands of Massachusetts Retirees

WASHINGTON D.C. – Leaders from the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts (AFT-MA) – including AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang and AFT Massachusetts Secretary-Treasurer Brant Duncan were in Washington, D.C. today to stand in support of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which repeals two unfair provisions of the Social Security law that unfairly penalizes Massachusetts public sector retirees, including school teachers – the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).

“No one who pays into the Social Security system should see the benefits they’ve earned cut or eliminated – especially those who dedicated their careers to public service,” said President Tang. “It’s time the Senate step forward to correct two injustices millions of retired public sector workers across the country currently face, including public school retirees throughout the Commonwealth.

Currently, the WEP slashes or eliminates Social Security benefits public sector workers earned through second jobs or during other points in their careers. In Massachusetts, this provision impacts nearly 93,000 Social Security beneficiaries including retirees, disabled workers, and spouses/children. Changes to the WEP would impact approximately 2 million Social Security beneficiaries across the country.

Meanwhile, the GPO affects the spousal benefits of nearly 800,000 retirees who worked as federal, state, or local government employees — including teachers  — if the job is not covered by Social Security. The GPO cuts the Social Security benefits received by surviving spouses by two-thirds if they also collect a government pension – in many cases, offsetting their benefits entirely. In Massachusetts, over 42,000 Social Security beneficiaries are affected by the GPO. Nearly 29,000 beneficiaries in Massachusetts have their benefits completely offset.

“Both of these provisions disproportionately impact low-income retirees – including tens of thousands in Massachusetts alone. It’s set up so public school teachers and paraprofessionals end up being penalized for working a second or third job in the private sector, which many have to do to get by,” continued Tang.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) – along with IAFF General President Edward Kelly, a third-generation Boston firefighter – helped convene the rally which had representation from multiple unions, including: the AFL-CIO; AFT; American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSME); National Education Association (NEA); Service Employees International Union (SEIU); National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFEA); Fraternal Order of Police (FOP); American Postal Workers Union (APWU); and more.  

The rally featured Congressional sponsors of the bill – Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), and Representative Garrett Graves (R-LA) – and remarks from leaders on the issue, including Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and AFT President Randi Weingarten. 

The bill passed the House last month with bipartisan support and is awaiting action from the Senate. At today’s rally, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) committed to calling for a vote on the bill in the Senate. 

“Not only do these penalties hurt the economic security of those who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities, but they disenfranchise many from becoming educators as a second career –  at a time when we’re facing a national teacher shortage,” said Secretary-Treasurer Duncan. “In addition to fair wages, reasonable benefits and safe working conditions, everyone deserves a secure and dignified retirement and our collective efforts are required to ensure all workers have access to these benefits.”