“We look forward to working with NARFE and the other CARE members on the pension offset problem that affects more and more members who recently retired,” says Legislative Chairman Bill Hill. “An issue, like the GPO, that is national in scope, calls for a network of interested parties throughout the country.”

It’s important to remember that the GPO, originally enacted in 1977 and amended since then, does not impact all public retirees who receive SS benefits as a spouse. Any retiree, who was receiving (or eligible to receive) a pension before December 1982 and satisfied all the requirements for SS spousal benefits in effect in January 1977, is exempt from the GPO. Also, any retiree, who was receiving (or eligible to receive) a pension before July 1, 1983 and one-half support from their spouse, is not affected by the GPO.

Bills Alive In 105th Congress

CARE was a major supporter of the pension offset reform bill (H.R. 2273), introduced by Representative William Jefferson (D-LA) in the 105th Congress. We reported extensively on this bill in the November Voice.

Since then, a companion bill (S.1365) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). The Senate bill mirrors its House companion but also includes a “hold harmless” provision so that no one gets less than the current GPO law provides.

As introduced, the Jefferson bill would have the unintended result that retirees, eligible for the highest SS spousal benefits, would receive less that they would under the current GPO law. Sen. Mikulski’s bill would pay the higher amount figured under both the old and, if enacted, new law.

House proponents of the Jefferson bill are aware of the technical problem and will correct it when it reaches the “mark up” stage in the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee. While the Congress has completed the first year of its 105th session, both reform bills are alive for the second year of this session. The push for enactment will begin when the 105th Congress resumes sometime at the end of this month.