Opinion & Editorial

LTE: Repeal the unfair WEP and GPO that impacts public servants

Dear Editor, 

I dedicated over 31 years of my life to serving my nation day-in and day-out as an air traffic controller. When I applied for my social security benefits, I knew I would be impacted by the unfair Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) but I was not prepared for receiving only half of my social security benefits. I am penalized by the WEP and GPO because I earned a Federal pension. That is just wrong!

I had more than 40 quarters of work to qualify for social security benefits before I was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration. But because I devoted my career to public service, I am unfairly penalized. 

The Social Security Fairness Act presents an opportunity to rectify these inequalities and provide hardworking public servants with the retirement benefits they rightfully deserve. It seeks to eliminate the WEP and GPO, ensuring that individuals like me, who have paid into both social security and their pension systems, receive fair treatment and financial security in our golden years.

I want to thank Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Val Hoyle for cosponsoring the Social Security Fairness Act. And I am asking Senator Ron Wyden to cosponsor the bill and help get it passed so we can eliminate the unfair penalty for the 18,805 Oregonians that are impacted by the WEP and the 4,901 Oregonians impacted by the GPO. You can do it, Senator Wyden. We need your support.

Ruthann Couch
Eugene

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