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The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is an unfair federal provision preventing retirees from receiving the Social Security benefits they are owed. The WEP, which took effect in 1983, provides a means of eliminating the “windfall” of Social Security benefits received by beneficiaries who also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security.

The Texas Retired Teachers Association’s (TRTA) Executive Director Tim Lee spoke with Rep. Kevin Brady (R – The Woodlands) on Facebook Live today about paths to reform the WEP. Brady’s bill, H.R. 3934, proposes to give retirees back more of their hard-earned Social Security earnings.

The full video is available here.

The WEP is particularly harmful to many retired Texas educators. Ninety-five percent of Texas public school employees do not pay into Social Security through their work with Texas schools. However, many have other jobs before, during, or after their employment in education in which they do pay into the federal program.

Lee and Brady discussed how Brady has worked to develop H.R. 3934 based on feedback from many public worker groups, and it’s designed to help the most possible active educators and retired educators.

“Social Security is too complicated,” Brady said. “That’s why it causes so many unintended consequences.” He said the WEP “has punished the people we ought to be rewarding.”

Brady’s goal is to advance WEP reform this year. He said the WEP has a huge impact on about 12 states. “We’ve really got to build full support within our states.”

One of the more contentious points that retiree groups have disagree upon when discussing WEP reform has centered around the idea of full repeal. Some groups feel that WEP reform should only occur if it’s a full repeal of the provision. However, Brady dissuaded that notion by stating that in the 37 years WEP has been in place, no piece of legislation concerning full repeal has gained traction. “The other states where this isn’t a big issue, they’re never going to adopt this approach.”

Brady said that his approach has been to develop legislation that all parties can get behind and will gain the forward momentum necessary to be signed into law.

Brady believes that all of the pieces are in place to move WEP reform forward. “I’m absolutely convinced we can get this done… I know it’s a little easy to look back and get discouraged or disheartened by this, but if it’s worth doing, it’s worth just staying at it until we get it done.”

TRTA has formed a national coalition with the Mass Retirees dedicated to reforming the WEP. Learn more about our national coalition here.

Show your support for WEP reform by contacting them and asking them to sign on to either Rep. Richie Neal’s bill, H.R. 4540, or Brady’s bill, H.R. 3934.

It’s critical to get as many congressional Representatives signed on to these bills as possible. You can find your Representative’s contact information here.

Currently, there’s only one congressional member on the House Ways and Means Committee that has not signed on to either bill, Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett. If you want WEP reform to move forward, please contact Rep. Doggett and ask him to take action on this very important issue!

Below you’d find the full list of Texas Representatives and the bills they’ve cosponsored.

The Texas Retired Teachers Association’s (TRTA) Executive Director Tim Lee will host a Facebook Live discussion with Congressman Kevin Brady (R – The Woodlands) about the most recent efforts to reform the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Brady serves as the ranking minority member on the House Ways and Means Committee, and his bill, H.R. 3934, proposes to give retirees back more of their hard-earned Social Security benefits. Previously, he has served as the chair of this very important committee.

You won’t want to miss this important discussion about the WEP and hear how we can move forward with reform. Be sure to tell your fellow retired and active educators about this event! The Facebook Live event will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 on TRTA’s Facebook Page. You don’t need to have a Facebook account to visit the page and view the video. If you miss the live event, the recorded video will be available here.

On April 4, Lee also provided an in-depth look at the WEP on Facebook Live, which is available here.

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is an unfair federal provision preventing retirees from receiving the Social Security benefits they are owed. The WEP, which took effect in 1983, provides a means of eliminating the “windfall” of Social Security benefits received by beneficiaries who also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security.

Ninety-five percent of Texas public school employees do not pay into Social Security through their work with Texas schools. However, many have other jobs before, during, or after their employment in education in which they do pay into the federal program.

TRTA has joined our friends in Massachusetts, who are also affected by the WEP, in creating the Public Retirees Alliance.

There are currently two WEP reform bills on the table, H.R. 4540, by the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Richie Neal, and H.R. 3934 by Texas Rep. Kevin Brady.

The bills are similar and would be an improvement for the lives of retirees impacted by the WEP. TRTA is pushing for the best possible outcome for retirees.

Please contact your congressional representative and ask them to support both H.R. 4540 and H.R. 3934. You can find your representative’s contact information here.

Currently, there’s only one congressional member on the House Ways and Means Committee that has not signed on to either bill, Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett. If you want WEP reform to move forward, please contact Rep. Doggett and ask him to take action on this very important issue!

True WEP reform starts in the House Ways and Means Committee, but it will take all Texas congressional members to resolve the WEP issue as they all play a part. We need them to support one or both bills. Let’s work to get 100 percent Texas congressional support on these bills! Currently, Rep. Mac Thornberry also isn’t signed on to either bill.

Unfortunately, Congressman Kevin Brady (R – The Woodlands) has been forced to reschedule his planned Facebook Live event with the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). Originally, the Facebook Live event was scheduled for today at 12 p.m. However, TRTA is working with Brady’s office to reschedule the event for the future.

We appreciate all the interest in the event, and we hope our member have a good Memorial Day weekend.

Thank You TRTA Members and Family who Served in our Military!

Memorial Day is our national moment to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day. We would encourage everyone to participate in the the National Moment of Remembrance that officially occurs at 3 pm local time wherever you are.

Remember our freedoms, the people who paid the ultimate price for our country, those who served, and those who are protecting our nation even now.

TRTA has many members and families who have sacrificed a lot to give us the freedoms that we enjoy. We truly appreciate their service, and this holiday holds a special place in our hearts.

At TRTA, we celebrate the brave men and women who served in the military. We also know that public service is a special calling and gift to the country.

As public-school education retirees, your service to our country is also recognized and appreciated. Thank you!