Time to End Social Security Inequity for Teachers and Other Public Servants
Correcting the inequity created by the federal government wherein retired public school teachers cannot receive the full benefit of Social Security is long overdue. This inequity was created by the federal government, and only the federal government can correct it.
In 1983, the U.S. Congress changed a provision in federal law to close what was considered to be a loophole allowing “double-dipping” by employees who earned both a state public pension and Social Security benefits even though they had not contributed to Social Security while employed as a public servant. The “Windfall Elimination Provision” (WEP), adjusted employees’ benefits to account for the time they had not paid into Social Security.
Unfortunately, a provision designed to correct one inequity resulted in an even greater inequity by preventing public servants such as teachers, police officers, and firemen who have worked in other jobs where they were required to pay into Social Security benefits from receiving the benefits they have earned and for which they paid.
Congressman Kevin Brady has been working at the federal level to solve this issue since 2015 when he filed H.R. 711, the Equal Treatment for Public Servants Act. His proposed changes would strengthen the solvency of Social Security while guaranteeing public servants the full benefits they earned when paying into the system.
Our teachers and other public servants must not continue to be penalized for their service. This inequity must be ended now.
Today I am sending Congressman Brady and the entire Texas delegation a letter in support of reform of this critical issue. And, I urge you to do the same!
Note: Congressman Brady has an email address set up to allow you to share your story if you have been affected by this issue. While you will not receive a reply, he will have examples to share with his fellow legislators to make this important change. The email is [email protected].
