Washington, D.C. - A hearing held today on H.R. 4391, the Public Servant Retirement Protection Act authored by U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) proved to be a crucial step forward in ending the Social Security discrimination many public servants face a retirement. 

 

Support and momentum for the Public Servant Retirement Protection Act grew as members from both sides of the aisle and teacher and police advocacy groups endorsed the bill that is based on treating American workers equally when it comes to collecting the pension they've earned.  Here’s what they had to say:

 

Social Security Subcommittee member and longtime advocate of Social Security fairness, Congressman Kevin Brady stated, “After today’s hearing there can be little doubt in anyone’s mind that the windfall elimination provision unfairly discriminates against public servants who’ve earned two pensions.   The Public Servant Retirement Protection Act ends this unfair practice and treats all workers equally.  There is nothing more fair than exact equal treatment based on a complete and accurate work history.”   

 

Randall Iglehart, State President of the Association of Texas Professional Educators stated, “The new formula under the Public Servant Retirement Protection Act is a fair compromise between the arbitrary windfall elimination provision and total repeal and will help the state of Texas recruit and retain qualified public educators from other professions and from other states.”

 

Terry Hickman, President of the Nevada State Education Association testifying on behalf of the NEA, “urge[d] the committee to move quickly to mark- up the Public Servant Retirement Protection Act and move it swiftly to final passage and enactment.”

 

Chuck Canterbury, National President, Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, “The Public Servant Retirement Protection Act will change Social Security law to treat our nation’s public employees much more fairly and the Fraternal Order of Police is proud to offer the measure its support.”

 

George Avak, President-Elect of the California Retired Teachers Association told members, “...we welcome HR 4391 as the first step towards fair and equal treatment of all people, regardless of their careers, by the Social Security system.”

 

Background: The Public Servant Retirement Protection Act (PSRPA) restores the Social Security benefits of thousands of teachers, police, firefighters, and other state and local government employees now reduced by an outdated federal formula known as the windfall elimination provision (WEP).  

 

The windfall elimination provision reduces the monthly Social Security benefits of workers who have earned a Social Security pension along with a pension from a Social Security substitute.  It reduces earned Social Security benefits up to $300 per month.

 

In 2003, about 700,000 retired American workers – 2% of the national workforce -- earned both Social Security and a retirement from a Social Security substitute, like the Texas Teachers Retirement System.  Many of these workers are firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other public servants who through the course of their career also earn a Social Security benefit.

 

Log onto: www.house.gov/brady for more information about the windfall elimination provision and the Public Servant Retirement Protection Act.