HR82, what the heck is or was it?

[glhs837]

I'm seeing this thing portrayed on FB and X as the Evillllllllll Rs trying to take away social security benefits....... But it seems more nuanced that that? Anyone closer to the topic able to shed some light?

Discharge petition for Social Security Fairness Act will get a vote on House floor - IAFF

Members of Congress will now have a chance to restore fairness in Social Security for millions of fire fighters, police officers, teachers, and other retired

www.iaff.org

 

[LtownTaxpayer]

I'm seeing this thing portrayed on FB and X as the Evillllllllll Rs trying to take away social security benefits....... But it seems more nuanced that that? Anyone closer to the topic able to shed some light?

Discharge petition for Social Security Fairness Act will get a vote on House floor - IAFF

Members of Congress will now have a chance to restore fairness in Social Security for millions of fire fighters, police officers, teachers, and other retired

www.iaff.org

I think this is trying to remove the penalty for having worked in the public sector where you earned a pension. That pension reduced the amount of social security you would receive, but didn't lower the cost of contributing to social security. Double dipping is what it used to be called. For instance, working for 20 or 30 years and earning a pension - often not contributing to social security during this time. Then going back and working at another job to ensure you had your quarters for social security. The value of the pension could reduce the amount of social security received.

 

[Ken King]

I think this is trying to remove the penalty for having worked in the public sector where you earned a pension. That pension reduced the amount of social security you would receive, but didn't lower the cost of contributing to social security. Double dipping is what it used to be called. For instance, working for 20 or 30 years and earning a pension - often not contributing to social security during this time. Then going back and working at another job to ensure you had your quarters for social security. The value of the pension could reduce the amount of social security received.

^this^
And even with 330 cosponsors the bill was "Laid On The Table" - meaning they will get to it, but not now.

 

[jrt_ms1995]

I think this is trying to remove the penalty for having worked in the public sector where you earned a pension. That pension reduced the amount of social security you would receive, but didn't lower the cost of contributing to social security. Double dipping is what it used to be called. For instance, working for 20 or 30 years and earning a pension - often not contributing to social security during this time. Then going back and working at another job to ensure you had your quarters for social security. The value of the pension could reduce the amount of social security received.

Yep, eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). IIRC, the maximum WEP deduction (this year) is something like $549/month. Which, if I were to file now for SS after my 7 years employment following retiring from government, would reduce any SS I would receive by just over half. GPO affects surviving spouses.

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

I think this is trying to remove the penalty for having worked in the public sector where you earned a pension. That pension reduced the amount of social security you would receive, but didn't lower the cost of contributing to social security. Double dipping is what it used to be called. For instance, working for 20 or 30 years and earning a pension - often not contributing to social security during this time. Then going back and working at another job to ensure you had your quarters for social security. The value of the pension could reduce the amount of social security received.

That's along the lines of other income related Social Security payment reductions due income thresholds. Already, if your income exceeds a certain amount after retirement, from a 401K disbursement, pension, etc., one's SS payment can be reduced or zeroed.

Even as it stands, currently, 100% disabled veterans are not eligible for a SS retirement payment, (all VA disability payments, regardless of disability payment level, are considered "income" by the Social Security Administration and will reduce or eliminate a veterans SS retirement payment. Even though, after working all their lives in the private sector, many disabled veterans will never receive any SS becasue if this policy.

If those in government were really serious about "fairness in Social Security", then this bill wouldn't just include fire fighters, police officers, teachers, and other retired public servants, it would include all disabled veterans as well.

 

[glhs837]

^this^
And even with 330 cosponsors the bill was "Laid On The Table" - meaning they will get to it, but not now.

So right now there is a penalty, and this bill would remove it?

 

[LtownTaxpayer]

So right now there is a penalty, and this bill would remove it?

Yes.

 

[jrt_ms1995]

So right now there is a penalty, and this bill would remove it?

See the link above. Also this article.

 

[BOP]

I'm seeing this thing portrayed on FB and X as the Evillllllllll Rs trying to take away social security benefits....... But it seems more nuanced that that? Anyone closer to the topic able to shed some light?

Discharge petition for Social Security Fairness Act will get a vote on House floor - IAFF

Members of Congress will now have a chance to restore fairness in Social Security for millions of fire fighters, police officers, teachers, and other retired

www.iaff.org

This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government.

The bill eliminates the government pension offset, which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own.

The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision, which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes.

These changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2023.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/82