GPO, WEP Elimination Proposed in Senate

Legislation to eliminate two provisions of Social Security law that reduce Social Security benefits available to those who have mainly worked in jobs not covered by that system—such as CSRS retirement—has been offered in the Senate (S-619). The measure, primarily sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, would eliminate both the government pension offset, which reduces and often eliminates spousal or survivor Social Security benefits for such persons, and the windfall elimination provision, which reduces their own earned benefits through other employment that was covered by Social Security. For the statements by Feinstein and Collins on introducing the bill, go to fedweek.com/HotFreeNews in the hot free info section of our website.