PPT-PTS OF INEQUITY 7-30-11

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The GPO/WEP, Why They Should Be Repealed! Prepared by Liz Curtis for SSFAIRNESS.COM For use by public in fight to repeal the GPO/WEP

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Even though you and/or your spouse have paid the required minimum or more into Social Security, your benefits may be cut by thousands of dollars or completely eliminated! Shocking facts about Social Security

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You have had two jobs: one in which you paid Social Security taxes and therefore earned your own Social Security credits and another job in which you did not pay Social Security taxes. Penalized by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Your Social Security may be in jeopardy if:

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Your spouse of at least ten years has earned Social Security credits. Penalized by Government Pension Offset (GPO). a. You probably will lose all the payments due you as a dependent spouse. (e.g. a stay-at-home childcare parent) b. You will lose at least part or more often all of the Social Security retirement payments that that normally go to the widow/er. Your Social Security may be in jeopardy if:

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What is unjust about GPO/WEP? The required money paid into Social Security is taxed independently from one’s pension and should be paid out independent of money received from one’s pension . Money in bank A should not affect money in bank B. Equitable or Inequitable? The GPO/WEP are based on faulty assumptions.

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Points of Inequity of GPO/WEP All who pay full Social Security contributions do not receive full benefits. The present GPO/WEP do not treat all citizens equally when computing benefits. It is possible to pay Social Security taxes of as much as $90,000 and perhaps more and, yet, receive nothing in retirement benefits. Equitable or Inequitable?

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Points of Inequity of GPO/WEP The GPO/WEP represent discrimination against women. The GPO currently penalizes about one half million retirees. 79% of them are women. Of those affected, the average non-covered pension for men was $961 more per month than those paid to women. (NARFE) Equitable or Inequitable?

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Points of Inequity of GPO/WEP GPO/WEP cuts to earned benefits are substantial, commonly causing serious lifestyle reductions, sometimes even to poverty levels. 74% of those affected by GPO lose their entire spousal benefits. Even a pension of as little as $1,500/month can cause TOTAL LOSS of needed survivor benefits. Equitable or Inequitable?

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Points of Inequity of GPO/WEP Can we as a nation afford this? The GPO/WEP penalizes our public servants. One third of all U.S. educators, thereby, discouraging the choice of teaching as a profession. State and local workers in 29 state and local governments and 18% of federal positions can be affected by offsets.

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Points of Inequity of GPO/WEP Equitable or Inequitable? The GPO/WEP do not treat all citizens in an equitable manner when distributing Social Security benefits. Our government is built upon democratic principles, and therefore all laws should abide by the principle of equal rights for all citizens.

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Points of Inequity of GPO/WEP Until recently, no law existed to inform employees about the GPO/WEP penalties. Large numbers of current public employees have not been told their public service employment is jeopardizing their already earned Social Security benefits. The law to notify new employees about the WEP/GPO only went into effect in 2005. Equitable or Inequitable?

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Points of Inequity of GPO/WEP The cost of repeal of the GPO/WEP is minimal when compared to the total amount paid to retirees annually . In addition, these benefits were paid for by required Social Security taxes. The cost of repeal of the GPO/WEP is only 2% of the overall Social Security costs paid to recipients. Find Estimated Trust Fund Information at http://www.ssa.gov . Equitable or Inequitable?

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Equitable or inequitable? The answer is clear! We must work for repeal of the unjust GPO/WEP!

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SSFAIRNESS.COM is fighting for repeal of GPO/WEP Sign up for & follow through with Action Alerts View the two explanatory PowerPoint presentations

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Join our Facebook page, Social Security Fairness – Repeal the GPO/WEP Mark “Like” and use “Share” option to publicize the cause Let’s Go Viral

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Ask your professional organization to link with us Spread the word,

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Make “noise” and persevere Write your Senators and Representatives Write editorials for local newspapers Explain to family, friends, and colleagues Join us as local coordinators

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“Be the change you wish to see in the world” Gandhi Now is the time Social Security changes are being considered and there is a window of opportunity. This may be our last chance to be “heard” for quite some time to come. Just as Gandhi persisted, we too must persist.

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SSFAIRNESS.COM leading the way http://4ssfairness.wordpress.com / Social-Security-Fairness-Repeal-the-GPOWEP Write us at ssfairness@gmail.com