November 21st, 2024
Hello All,
The BIG news on November 12th, 2024 was that the House (Congress Members) passed bill H.82 (Social Security Fairness Act) by a roll call vote, 327-75! This was HUGE! We have never come this far in all the years that people have been fighting to eliminate the punitive measures known as the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision. We need all hands on deck now and urge everyone to take the actions of contacting their US Senators to urge them to push this over the top and to also thank those who have already signed on to co-sponsor the Senate Bill S.597.
ATTENTION all current retirees who receive pensions from work not covered by Social Security, such as teachers, police, firefighters, etc., we urge you to send the letter accessed by the link below to ask US Senator Schumer and your own state senators to move S.597 to the floor for a vote ASAP!! Our two MA US Senators, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have already cosponsored so be sure to send them a thank you, as well! You can leave a phone message for Sen. Warren at (202)224-4543, and, for Senator Markey at (202)224-2742. This is URGENT ... we have fought for the elimination of the WEP and GPO for years and this is the closest we've ever come. WE CANNOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!! Please help! Watch for future actions because time is of the essence!!!
Here's the Text of S.597 and on this link you can access the names of all US Senators who have cosponsored the S.597 Bill.
We are urged, also, to contact Senator Chuck Schumer here. You may call him, too, at (202)224-6542) and leave a message asking him to PLEASE move S.597 to the floor for a vote. Once the Senators vote on it, it moves to the President's desk for his signature. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! This has to be done NOW before the change in administration!
If you have friends/relatives/neighbors who are/have been/will be impacted by the punitive WEP/GPO measures, ask them to contact their senators and Sen. Schumer, as well.
We'll keep everyone updated and send any further actions for you to help in getting this bill passed. (If any of the links here have my name on them, click on the "click here" message to change the name to your own. This will bring up your own Senators, based on your home address.) Share this message with everyone you know, especially, of course, those who are adversely affected by the current WEP/GPO penalties!
Please access this link to send your email to your Senators. Add any words of your own and remember to change the name on the message to your own!
AFT Action Network WEP/GPO Email
Thanks to all who can help with this!! So very appreciated!!
(Please see more info on the WEP/GPO in other notices below)
November 2023
Here's an "in-person" retirement session coming up on November 16th, 2023 and scheduled at the Butler School! Read on ....
We are excited to be back in person.
Whether you’re in the early stages of your career or contemplating the final years, it’s always a good time to be considering how to navigate your retirement. Choosing your pension option is one of the most important decisions that you will need to make before you retire. Join us for a presentation to learn how to calculate and estimate your pension benefit. We will review the 3 available Options plus discuss the impact of Social Security.
About the Speaker:
Marie Ardito taught in the public schools of Massachusetts for 31 years. In preparation for her retirement, she began to study the Massachusetts retirement system. She was largely responsible for the research that prompted the MTRS, the Massachusetts legislature and both teachers’ unions to recognize the grave injustices that existed in the retirement formula.
She is an active member of the “grass roots” group of teachers responsible for the passage of six pieces of legislation involving retirement benefits. Marie is currently Information Coordinator of the Massachusetts Retirees United. Her knowledge and understanding of the Massachusetts retirement system, as well as her respect for educators, is evidenced in her presentation.
Marie is both an informational and inspirational speaker, and places emphasis on the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of financial preparation for retirement.
Topics covered:
Pension Criteria and Options
A Case study to illustrate the differences among the Options
Impact of Social Security (GPO and WEP)
Preparing for Retirement - Next Steps
WHEN: Thursday, November 16, 2023 4 – 6p.
WHERE: Butler Middle School Auditorium - 1140 Gorham Street, Lowell MA.
Please register for the event. Click Here to RSVP
Jason W. Levine, MBA, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Please visit me at: www.jasonwlevine.com
Lincoln Investment
95 Sawyer Road, Suite 430
781-647-3050 (Direct)
781-647-3070(Fax)
800-608-3937 (Ext. 5491)
GEMINI.LINCOLNINVESTMENT.COM
gemini.lincolninvestment.com
RETIREE PLANNING WORKSHOP
DECEMBER 13th, 2022 at 6:00PM
You don’t want to miss this free event for all our UTL/AFT Members, not just teachers!! Virtual Workshop (click here for more details) via ZOOM on December 13th at 6:00PM -8:00PM. This is open to ALL members. You must scan the QR Code for more information and to register to attend. At the workshop you will learn more about the MA Public Employee retirement formula, Social Security, and living in retirement. Presenters will be Teacher Retirement Solutions (TRS) partnered with AFTMA, including John Gregorio, a Certified Financial Planner.
NOVEMBER 2022
REPEAL WEP AND GPO ~ STOP PENALIZING OUR TEACHERS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
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Everyone deserves a secure retirement, especially those who devoted their career to public service. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) threatens that by substantially reducing or eliminating the EARNED social security benefits of the millions of retired teachers and public employees who contributed to Social Security through other employment. Thousands more are penalized every year as they retire from public service because their state, municipality, or school district does not participate in the Social Security system.
This unfair penalty also contributes to the current teacher and educator shortages, as it serves as a disincentive for those looking to join the ranks of teachers as a second career when they learn that the WEP-GPO penalty will jeopardize their earned Social Security benefits if they enter the classroom.
Add your name to our petition to tell Congress to stop penalizing teachers and public employees and to repeal the WEP and GPO now! The WEP unfairly penalizes retirees in 15 states and Puerto Rico who have spent careers in public service but have also paid into Social Security at other points in their careers, whether while working in the private sector or in the public sector in states not affected by the WEP. The GPO denies survivor benefits to retired public service workers whose spouses paid into Social Security. Both penalties disproportionately affect low-income retirees, and the GPO targets women five times as often as men. With the national teacher shortage reaching crisis levels, allowing the WEP and GPO to continue is lunacy. These penalties disincentivize would-be second-profession teachers from joining the teaching field, when we need to be encouraging qualified candidates to become teachers, not threatening to eliminate their Social Security benefits. There is no context in which hurting the economic security of those who choose to serve their communities is justified.
Click here to send a letter today to Speaker Pelosi.