The legislation, if enacted, will help guarantee a secure retirement for thousands of Missouri educators.
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri National Education Association applauds the U.S. House's approval of the 'Social Security Fairness Act of 2023,' a crucial step towards securing fair retirement benefits for teachers, school employees, and other public employees. This act repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which have unfairly reduced Social Security benefits for educators and public employees.
Phil Murray, President of MNEA, said, "Today's victory marks a significant advancement in correcting the unjust rules that have disadvantaged our teachers and public workers. We appreciate the lawmakers who have supported our educators and staff in achieving fairness and securing a stable retirement."
The Social Security Fairness Act addresses the punitive measures of WEP and GPO that have disproportionately impacted those with public pensions, often slashing their Social Security benefits. "This change ensures a fair retirement for all workers, recognizing their full contributions to students and our communities," said Murray.
As the bill advances to the U.S. Senate, MNEA urges its swift passage to finalize these crucial reforms. "We remain committed to supporting this legislation until it is fully enacted, ensuring all public workers receive the retirement benefits they deserve," concluded Murray.
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The 30,000-member MNEA represents teachers, education support professionals, college faculty, retired teachers, and students studying to be teachers in school districts and college campuses throughout the state. It is the Missouri affiliate of the three million-member National Education Association.
Contact Information:
Missouri National Education Association
Mark Jones, Communications Director
mark.jones@mnea.org
573-644-9609