President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) by the U.S. House of Representatives, which repeals two unfair provisions of the Social Security law that unfairly penalizes Massachusetts public sector retirees, including 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.
“Last night’s vote is a critical step forward to correct two injustices millions of retired public sector workers across the country currently face, including public school retirees throughout the Commonwealth.
“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.
"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.
“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.”