New England PBA Fully Supports WEP Reform

Posted by Tony Archinski In NEPBA News 0 comment

Thousands of retired Law Enforcement officers are now impacted by the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) law. Also known as the “double dipping” law. More than 70,000 retired Massachusetts public employees lose an average of $400 a month in their Social Security benefits due to the WEP.

Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield) has fulfilled his promises to Mass Retirees, filing a new proposal to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and bring immediate relief for the more than 1.8 million public workers impacted by the WEP. Mass Retirees is a national leader in the fight to reform the WEP law. They represent thousands of retired public workers and have been the lead advocates for ALL public retirees for more than 50-years!

The New England Police Benevolent Association was one of the first law enforcement organizations to sign on in support of this federal bill.

Neal’s reform proposal, H.R. 4540, would provide $150 per month ($1,800 annually) in relief payments to retirees who have had their Social Security benefit reduced due to the WEP. The payment would be added to the monthly Social Security benefit and indexed to inflation. Payments would begin nine-months after the bill becomes law and impact anyone first eligible for Social Security prior to January 1, 2022. Social Security eligibility is determined by age (must be at least 62) and amassing at least 40 quarters (10 years) covered by Social Security.

According to a statement accompanying the H.R.4540’s release, “The legislation establishes a new, fairer formula that will pay Social Security benefits in proportion to the share of a worker’s earnings that were covered for Social Security purposes. This provision is coupled with a benefit guarantee ensuring no benefit cuts relative to current law for all current and future retirees.”

Unanimous support from the Massachusetts Congressional delegation (9) speaks to the importance of this issue. We need Congressmen from all over the country to support us. If you know retirees in another state, or if you are a law enforcement officer in another New England state, please call your Congressional representative and ask that they support HR 4540.

A five-minute phone call today, will mean thousands of additional dollars in benefits to our retired law enforcement brothers and sisters in the future. Call your Congressman today!